The western suburbs will gain a further 180,000 trees as part of a government initiative to help provide more greenery and shade for residents while combating climate change.
The More Trees for a Cooler, Greener West program has already planted 30,000 trees since last spring and will provide the local council areas of Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Brimbank, Melton, Moonee Valley and Wyndham with even more trees.
The government will fund the program with $5 million to plant both mature and young trees outside schools, along trails, in parks and on residential streets.
The initiative comes after reports showed the western suburbs had the lowest percentage of urban tree cover in Melbourne at 5.5 per cent, compared to 17.4 per cent in the south eastern suburbs and 25.9 per cent in the eastern suburbs.
Local residents are encouraged to be involved and volunteer with the program with planting programs by the six local councils, Greater Western Water, Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria and Victoria University.
The government is supporting Aboriginal self-determination and planting on Country with grants for the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation as part of the program.
Energy, environment and climate change minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the program was designed to create a cooler and shadier west.
“Together with our investment in parks, we’re boosting liveability, improving air quality and tackling climate change to halve emissions by 2030.”
