Landscape restoration organisation Grow West is celebrating 20 years of work, and the planting of 1.4 million seedlings in the west of Melbourne.
In 20023 Grow West began working toward its vision to rejuvenate 10,000 hectares of land by connecting the Brisbane Ranges National Park, Werribee Gorge State Park and Lerderderg State Park through a mosaic of restoration works on private property.
Now hosted by Melbourne Water as the region’s Catchment Management Authority (CMA),
Grow West has stayed true to its vision – working together to create productive and healthy
landscapes in the west.
In its 20th year it has planted more than 1.4 million seedlings, more than 2,500 hectares of land has been revegetated, 18 community planting days staged, and it’s engaged with over 3,000 committed volunteers.
Grow West Implementation Committee Chair Justin Horne said he’s proud of the relationships formed and the work undertaken to improve the land.
“A lot of passionate and engaged people have worked with Grow West over 20 years to
achieve a wide range of very positive environmental results,” he said.
“I’m particularly proud of the sense of community between landowners and Government staff that we’ve been able to cultivate.
“Grow West would not have been the success that it is without the strength of relationships,
with so much of this due to the great work done by Grow West coordinators over the years.”
To complement its rejuvenation work Grow West’s long term focus is to also reduce the spread of noxious weeds and pest animals by educating landholders on sustainable land management approaches, protect profitable farming land, reduce erosion and improve local services.
Looking ahead, Ms Horne said Grow West intends to increase their engagement and continue building relationships with Wurundjeri and Wadawurrung Traditional Owners.
“I’m really excited at the potential knowledge sharing that can occur between our First Nations
people and Grow West. This will not only deepen the outcomes beyond ‘just’ landscape
restoration, but take us on the path of cultural restoration,” she said.
Grow West is a partnership between Moorabool Shire Council, City of Melton, Moorabool
Landcare Network, Southern Rural Water, Greater Western Water, Parks Victoria, the Victorian
Government, and Melbourne Water – the Catchment Management Authority.
