Melbourne’s streets are about to get a whole lot leafier. With summer around the corner, the Victorian Government has just announced a $9.5 million boost to the city’s greenery, with half a million new trees set to be planted in the suburbs that need them most.
Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos and Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny made the announcement at Ardeer South Primary School – where more than 1,800 trees and shrubs have already gone into the ground as part of the More Trees for a Cooler Greener West program. The results? Cooler playgrounds, cleaner air and – when summer hits – much-needed shade.
Following the success of the Ardeer South pilot, the project is expanding. Over the next few years, the More Trees in Melbourne program will deliver another 500,000 trees across the city’s neighbourhoods. To make sure the greenery goes where it’s most needed, the state is also rolling out a new tree canopy mapping project, giving planners detailed data on what’s growing (and where) in real time.
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And it’s not just about planting new trees – it’s about protecting the ones we’ve got. Under new legislation, Victorians will need a permit to remove established trees in residential areas, including vacant plots and lots with new developments. The goal is simple: preserve shady streetscapes, keep neighbourhoods cool and hit a target of 30 per cent tree canopy cover across the state.
“By protecting our tree canopy, we’re making sure communities across our suburbs can enjoy the benefits of shade, cleaner air and more liveable neighbourhoods for generations to come,” said Kilkenny.
It’s part of a bigger push to create suburbs that are not just places to live, but places to thrive – with leafy streets, family-friendly parks and more spots to escape the summer heat.
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