Green spaces and air quality to be enhanced in Melbourne’s West

The Victorian Government will be planting 56,000 new trees across local communities in Melbourne’s west early 2024 - delivering more green spaces and improving air quality.

Victorian Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos announced a $900,000 investment to launch the fourth phase of the More Trees for a Cooler, Greener West program.

The new trees will be planted outside schools and in parks across Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Brimbank, Melton, Moonee Valley, and Wyndham Local Government Areas.

All of the trees planted will be indigenous and sourced from local nurseries – and promise to offer more shade and cooler spaces for communities.

Local schools will also benefit from the program, with more than 2,000 trees expected to be planted on school grounds.

Volunteers and locals are encouraged to take part in the program with tree planting projects being delivered by the six local councils of Melbourne’s west, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and Zoos Victoria.

Western Melbourne has the lowest tree canopy cover in metropolitan Melbourne, with just 5.5% of urban tree cover in Melbourne as of 2018, compared with 17.4% in the inner south-east and 25.9% in the east.

Since 2021, 325,000 trees have been planted as part of the program across Melbourne’s western suburbs –closing in on the target of 500,000 trees for the west.

Minister Dimopoulos notes “The More Trees for a Cooler, Greener West program will encourage communities in Melbourne’s west to enjoy cooler and greener open spaces.

“This is a great next step in creating greener spaces for local residents to enjoy for years to come – and I’d encourage locals to volunteer and take part in tree planting programs across the western suburbs.”

For more information on phase four of the More Trees for a Cooler, Greener West program, visit environment.vic.gov.au/more-trees