Benjamin Millar
Maribyrnong Council is fast-tracking greening efforts with a $250,000 state government grant to plant more mature trees.
The grant is part of the ‘More Trees for a Cooler, Greener West Initiative’, designed to see more than 30,000 mature and young trees planted to provide more shade and help keep the area healthy.
It recognises that increased canopy coverage provides a range of environmental benefits such as cutting summer temperatures, reducing storm water run-off and providing habitat, as well as capturing airborne pollutants and contributing to the wellbeing of the community.
Mayor Michael Clarke said the grants were hotly contested and the council is pleased to have been among the early recipients.
“Increased tree plantings contribute to an improved environment and healthy outcomes for our community,” he said.
“I look forward to joining our ‘Friends of’ groups to help in the upcoming community planting days.”
The trees will be planted this spring and next autumn in 19 locations across the city:
– plantings in Braybrook will take place at Ash Reserve, Cranwell Park, Hargreaves Crescent and Pritchard Reserve;
– plantings in Footscray will take place at Farnsworth Avenue, Newells Paddock, Beevers Street Reserve between Greer St and Jamieson Avenue in Footscray;
– plantings in Maribyrnong will take place at Pipemakers Park, two locations in Burndap Park, Chifley Drive Reserve, Maribyrnong;
There will be plantings at three locations in Cruickshank Park, Yarraville and four locations along the banks of Stony Creek in addition to plantings along the Maribyrnong River escarpment in Braybrook.
