May 1st, 2022Tackling climate change

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