Greenery makeover for busy shopping strip

Community members who live nearby, shop, travel through and work at the North Valley Road Shopping Centre in Highton can help make the area a greener and more vibrant place to visit.

The City is asking for ideas on the design of the $50,000 greening project, which proposes new trees and plants to make the strip more appealing, to reduce heat, improve stormwater use and provide habitat.

Options for greening include tree canopy in the centre of the road, low vegetation plantings and climbing plants on shopfront trellises.

Community members can leave feedback on an interactive map to help create a vision for the shopping area on the corner of North Valley Road and Mount Pleasant Road.

Suggestions gathered before 11:59pm on Friday 17 February will be designed into a draft concept plan for the community and traders to consider before the final concept plan is created.

As part of our Sustainability Framework Action Plan 2020–2022 to improve tree canopy in the region, the City of Greater Geelong is preparing a draft business case for a One Million Trees Plan.

The plan aims to create a more liveable and resilient Greater Geelong by addressing urban heating, population growth and climate change by planting more trees.

Councillor Ron Nelson - Kardinia Ward

Increasing tree canopy in the area will have many benefits.

Not only will planting more trees at the North Valley Road Shopping Centre make the strip a more attractive place to visit, but it will also have a cooling effect and attract more birds and wildlife.

The Council funding aims to create a healthy environment and vital shopping centre and is part of our commitment to sustainable growth and liveability.

Councillor Bruce Harwood - Kardinia Ward

It is time to refresh the area in a sustainable and collaborative way.

The North Valley Road Shopping Centre had a small street upgrade in 2011 with new furniture, trees and plantings, but is due for another refresh.

We need input from users of the area to improve the area, so please head to the have your say page and make a suggestion on the interactive map.

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