By Alesha Capone
A state government commitment to fund 500,000 new trees to be planted across the west has been welcomed by Wyndham council and the Werribee River Association.
Acting Premier James Merlino announced the funds while in Tarneit last week.
He said the state government would invest $5 million to plant trees in Wyndham, Melton, Maribrynong, Brimbank, Moonee Valley and Hobsons Bay, with planting set to begin in September.
The number of trees for each municipality will be determined in consultation with councils, Parks Victoria and environmental experts.
Tarneit MP Sarah Connolly said: “We’re investing in the physical and mental health of families across the west – as well as the quality of the open spaces around them.”
Wyndham mayor Adele Hegedich said the state government’s plan would greatly assist Wyndham, which has one of the lowest tree canopies in Australia according to a recent RMIT study, which found the area has just 5.4 per cent canopy coverage.
Wyndham’s climate futures and environment portfolio holder, Cr Robert Szatkowski, said the state government funding “will go a long way to helping Wyndham become a cooler, greener city”.
Werribee Riverkeeper John Forrester said that the Werribee River Association (WRA) had long been advocating for the expansion of green areas along Werribee River and waterways of the west,
“This builds a healthier eco-system, that ultimately supports the platypus that is now a threatened and vulnerable species,” he said.
The WRA’s chair and community business manager Lisa Field, said: “It is vital we build communities that are walkable and liveable and that means better connectivity and shading on shared trails.”
