Contributing to urban cooling and greening across Melbourne’s west by planting 500,000 more trees.
Melbourne’s western region currently has the lowest tree canopy cover in the city’s region. Urban development that results in the loss of trees and vegetation causes average temperatures in these areas to increase.
This is known as the urban heat island effect, which impacts the health of both people and animals.
The ‘More Trees for a Cooler, Greener West’ program aims to create more shaded, livable spaces while reducing pollution and the urban heat island effect.
410,000 trees so far
Since its launch in 2021, the program has planted 410,000 trees, with a final round offering 90,000 trees for schools, parks, and reserves in the west. Target areas include Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melton, Moonee Valley, and Wyndham. The final phase, backed by a $2 million investment, will focus on delivering mature trees and tube stock, prioritising streets and parks that need canopy coverage most. This means that the grand total for trees planted through the program will reach the final goal of a staggering half a million, adding to the 6500 hectares of new, open space and parklands delivered through the $315 million Suburban Parks Program.
Learn more of the More Trees for a Cooler, Greener West at environment.vic.gov.au.
