Thousands of new plants are blooming along Skeleton Creek in Hoppers Crossing, thanks to NatureWest and Melbourne Water’s Working for Victoria team members.
Working for Victoria is a state government initiative, creating jobs for people and businesses who have been impacted by COVID-19.
Melbourne Water’s Waterway Blitz program created about 100 jobs to carry out essential work caring for waterways and land.
The Waterway Blitz team members have spent weeks planting 4500 indigenous trees, shrubs and grasses along the lower Skeleton Creek.
It also removed weeds and collected a cubic metre of rubbish from near the creek.
The Skeleton Creek planting and clean-up was originally started by community group NatureWest, earlier this year.
NatureWest chairperson Bruce Boddington said the group had been unable to complete the creek project due to stage four pandemic restrictions.
He said NatureWest was delighted with Melbourne Water for finishing the project.
“NatureWest is thrilled at the improvement to this section of Skeleton Creek with more than 11,000 native plants put in this year,” Mr Boddington said.
Melbourne Water’s waterways and drainage initiation officer, Nick Kerr, also praised the work of NatureWest and Mr Boddington.
“Bruce organised for the area to be perfectly prepped for the planting and clean-up. He oversaw pre-digging, plant delivery and placement,” Mr Kerr said.
“Our newly hired Waterway Blitz crews who have joined Melbourne Water through our Working for Victoria program are passionate about protecting and improving our city’s environment.
