The Andrews Labor Government is tackling climate change with 210,000 new trees being planted in the west of Melbourne by November, growing green spaces, driving down pollution and creating jobs.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio today announced the next round of grants and locations for 180,000 trees as part of the More Trees for a Cooler, Greener West program, adding to over 30,000 already planted since spring last year.

The Labor Government is investing $5 million to plant both mature and young trees outside schools, along trails, in parks and on residential streets, across six local council areas – Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Brimbank, Melton, Moonee Valley and Wyndham.

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

Tree coverage reduces urban temperatures by 10-25°C, filters pollution and provides oxygen, helping reduce heat-related illness and death. The program also improves our biodiversity by providing more homes and food for wildlife and helps us meet Victoria’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Providing more accessible green spaces also improves communities’ mental and physical health by increasing connections with nature.

Volunteers and locals are encouraged to be involved with the program with planting programs by the six local city councils, Greater Western Water, Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria and Victoria University.

The Government is supporting Aboriginal self-determination and planting on Country with grants for the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.

The new trees will add to the thousands of hectares of new open space and parklands delivered under the $315 million Suburban Parks Program, which is providing more than 6,500 hectares of parkland, walking trails, bike trails, pocket parks and dog parks – including 22 new and upgraded parks in Melbourne’s west.

For details about projects funded in the second phase visit  environment.vic.gov.au/more-trees

Quotes attributed to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“We’re planting trees for a cooler and shadier west. Together with our investment in parks, we’re boosting liveability, improving air quality and tackling climate change to halve emissions by 2030.”

“We’re partnering with councils, land managers and Traditional Owner Corporations to invest in communities in the west, understand the needs of locals and support Aboriginal self-determination and planting on Country.”   

Quote attributed to Member for Niddrie Ben Carroll

“We’re creating green spaces for residents of the west for generations to come. Hundreds of thousands of trees foster biodiversity, improve mental and physical health and boost investment in the west.”