More Trees for a Cooler, Greener West
Ms HORNE (Williamstown—Minister for Ports and Freight, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Fishing and Boating) (09:38): I rise today to update the house about just how fantastic the Andrews government is in furthering our commitment to the local environment and inner-west air quality through the rollout of the More Trees for a Cooler, Greener West initiative. Phase 2 of this program will see a further 175 000 trees planted across Melbourne’s west, including in Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong—all across my electorate. Local environment groups, community groups and schools in Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay are being invited to express interest in taking part in the tree planting efforts in 2022, and I encourage all groups in Williamstown that want to be involved in this fantastic effort to register. For local residents who want to join in and plant some trees, stay tuned for an announcement on tree planting events later this year. This is part of our goal to plant more than half a million trees in Melbourne’s west.
I have been in touch with local constituents who want to know whether native trees will be included in the planting, and I am proud to report that a range of native trees will be included. This is particularly exciting for Newport Lakes reserve, where all of the trees being planted this year will be native. Collaboration is also occurring with traditional owners to design and deliver tree-planting projects on country. Phase 2 of the planning follows phase 1, which will include planting in Cruickshank Park, McNish Reserve, Stony Creek, Kororoit Creek, Altona North and Newport Lake.