Cade Lucas
Wyndham is set to become greener with almost 30 thousand trees to be planted at sites around Werribee.
Victoria University, President’s Park, Lollypop Creek, Gordon O’Keefe Reserve and Werribee River Park are among the locations to receive the 28,150 new trees, as part of the state government’s More Trees for a Cooler Greener West program.
The program will see 131 thousand trees planted across Wyndham, Hobsons Bay, Brimbank, Moonee Valley and Melton by 2024.
Over 190 thousand trees have been planted since the program began with the aim of addressing the lack of tree cover in the western suburbs.
A 2018 study found just 5.5% of Melbourne’s west was under tree cover, compared to 17.4% of the inner-south east and 25.9% of the east.
Suburbs with greater tree cover experience lower temperatures in summer and less air-pollution.
State Environment Minister, Ingrid Stitt, said the new trees will also help tackle climate change.
“Together with our investment in parks, we’re boosting liveability, improving air quality and tackling climate change to reach net zero emissions by 2045” Stitt said.
Member for Werribee, Tim Pallas, said the new trees are an investment in the future.
“We’re creating green spaces for residents of the west for generations to come.
“Hundreds of thousands of trees will enhance biodiversity, create more open green space and improve air quality across the west” Pallas said.
The trees will be planted along paths, parks and residential streets, while schools will receive funding to plant trees on their grounds.
More information can be found at: environment.vic.gov.au/more-trees.
