By Tate Papworth
The Greening the West initiative to plant one million trees across the west has taken out a Victorian Premier’s Sustainability Award.
The project was named the winner of the Environmental Protection category, which recognises leadership and excellence in protection and prevention of harm to the environment.
The project was delivered between 2015-18 with the aim of bringing about better health and social outcomes and enhanced liveability for communities in the western suburbs through urban greening. To date 1,072,320 trees and shrubs have been planted across 320 parks, reserves, open spaces, roadsides and private land, covering an area of 1755 hectares.
More than 4500 volunteers and 100 private landowners participated in 61 community events and tree planting days.
The project has been delivered through a number of partners, including LeadWest, Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority, City West Water, Melbourne Water and Brimbank council.
Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority’s chief executive David Buntine, said the project is a great example of what can be achieved when governments and communities work together.
“We can achieve more together than we can alone … this project has made a significant and lasting difference to Melbourne’s west.”
