Local volunteers take part in tree planting event for a cooler, greener west

Local volunteers joined Greater Western Water (GWW) at a tree planting event at its Melton Recycled Water Plant site yesterday as part of an initiative to create cooler, greener spaces in Melbourne’s west. 

Five hundred indigenous trees were planted at the Melton RWP as part of the event, contributing to the 10,000 trees GWW has committed to plant across three of its wastewater treatment sites in Altona, Werribee and Melton.  

The event forms part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to plant half a million trees across Melbourne’s west with its More Trees for a Cooler, Greener West program. 

Phase 2 of the project will see 180,000 trees planted by the end of 2022, adding to the 30,000 trees already planted since last year. 

GWW Managing Director, Maree Lang said expanding tree canopy cover in the west allowed for a more climate resilient future and highlighted the organisation’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon by 2030.  

“These additional 10,000 trees will improve environmental health, increase biodiversity, reduce emissions and create habitat and nature corridors for wildlife,” she said.  

“We would like to thank the volunteers who took part in the event and for continuing the important work of improving the biodiversity of this area and supporting our ambition to care for Country.”