16 October 2019

On Thursday 10 October 2019, the Greening the West – 1 Million Trees project was awarded a Victorian Premier’s Sustainability Award 2019 for its ambitious efforts to plant more than one million trees across Melbourne’s west.

The project was the winner in the Environmental Protection category, which recognised leadership and excellence in protection and prevention of harm to the environment.

Greening the West – 1 Million Trees project was delivered between 2015 and 2018 and is part of the broader Greening the West initiative. This multi-agency collaboration aims to deliver positive health and social outcomes and enhanced liveability for communities in the western suburbs of Melbourne through a program of urban greening.

The project planted 1,072,320 trees and shrubs across 320 parks, reserves, open spaces, roadsides and private land, covering an area of 1,755 hectares. Over 4,500 volunteers and 100 private landowners participated in 61 community events and tree planting days.

Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority’s CEO, David Buntine, said the project is a shining example of what can be achieved when governments and communities work collaboratively.

“We can achieve more together than we can alone … this project has made a significant and lasting difference to Melbourne’s west by creating new natural areas for people and animals, as well as strengthening the connection between local communities and the environment.”

Sustainability Victoria’s interim Chief Executive, Carl Muller, said the awards showed how management of environmental issues was of growing importance for all Victorians – no matter age, no matter where they live or what they do.

“Each year, the Premier’s Sustainability Awards continue to discover Victoria’s best and most inspiring Victorian individuals, organisations and businesses who are developing and implementing new sustainable practices,” he said.

“Congratulations to all of this year’s winners. Your contributions will have positive long-term benefits for us all.”

The Greening the West – 1 Million Trees project was delivered by LeadWest, Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority, City West Water, Melbourne Water, Brimbank City Council, City of Melton, City of Moonee Valley, Hobsons Bay City Council, Hume City Council, Maribyrnong City Council, Wyndham City Council, Parks Victoria, VicRoads, Western Water, Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek, Friends of the Maribyrnong Valley Inc. and Conservation Volunteers Australia.

This project was supported by Lead West through funding from the Australian Government’s Green Army and National Landcare Program.