The Werribee River Association (WRA) celebrated the anniversary of its partnership with quarry operator Holcim with a tree planting event in Presidents Park on Wednesday.
Thirty volunteers participated in the planting event, including Werribee River Association members, the Werribee Riverkeeper, Wyndham council conservation crew members and Holcim staff.
About 3000 plants were put in during the morning event, which WRA interim executive officer Lisa Field said was a fitting way to mark the milestone.
“The partnership with Holcim is usually two events per annum. We do a big planting day and we do a big clean up event,” she said.
“Holicm bring along about 15-20 people and they extend the invitation to their contractors as well.”
Holcim runs a quarry in Wests Road, Werribee, one of 80 sites the company has across Australia.
The quarry operator and building supplies company first approached the WRA about a possible partnership in 2012 with the aim of supporting the ecology of the Werribee River, parklands and catchment waterways.
The partnership began with significant plantings around the Cheetham Wetlands near Point Cook before other sites were developed, including Presidents Park, with both Holcim and the WRA working closely with Wyndham council who manage the park.
Ms Field said the partnership has resulted in over 25,000 trees, scrubs and grasses being planted and the removal of six tonnes of litter.
Cade Lucas
