Wyndham City has welcomed a State Government announcement to fund $5 million to plant 500,000 new trees across the western suburbs.
Wyndham has one of the lowest tree canopies in Australia, with just 5.4 per cent of canopy coverage, according to a recent RMIT study.
Wyndham Mayor Cr Adele Hegedich said the State Government's tree planting boost would greatly assist Wyndham and surrounding western suburbs.
"Wyndham City already has plans to plant 5,500 trees this year, along with 16,000 shrubs, plants and tubes. The additional funding for more trees will certainly benefit our City and suburbs."
In a recent submission to Infrastructure Victoria's 30 Year Strategy, Wyndham City called for special funding for growth Councils to achieve an agreed target of 30 per cent canopy coverage.
Wyndham Council Climate Futures and Environment portfolio holder Cr Robert Szatkowski said: "We're extremely pleased the State Government has made this announcement. The additional funding will go a long way to helping Wyndham become a cooler, greener City."
"Trees help reduce the urban heat island effect, which leads to higher temperatures in those areas without enough tree coverage."
According to the State Government, the new trees will begin going into the ground in September.
Funding will be available through grants to community organisations and Councils across the west. Organisations with projects already underway will be able to apply for funding to scale up their projects.
