The city of Melton is set to become greener, with the council adopting a Greening the West strategy to oversee the establishment of greener spaces.
The project involves 19 partners – including councils, VicRoads, Parks Victoria, Western Water, Melbourne Water and the Environment Department – and will focus on improving the health and wellbeing of residents, the environment and economy.
Melton council’s acting leisure and facilities manager, Glenn Mulcahy, said Greening the West would provide support when the council applied for grants for ‘green’ projects.
“Council has allocated substantial funding in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 financial years to the improvement of streets and reserves,” he said.
“Greening the West aims to enhance the environment in the region through the planting of more trees in streets and reserves.”
Mr Mulcahy said there was research linking community health to access to “quality green space”.
A survey done in Melton two years ago showed 86 per cent of residents said they were “willing to lend a hand” by looking after trees planted in front of their properties.
The Water and Carbon Group has been appointed by the partners to undertake the consultation and development of the plan. There is no cost to the council.
