Phase 2

In Phase two, more than 180,000 trees were planted across Melbourne’s west in 2022, as outlined in the figure below.

Phase 2 projects

Stream 1 (Mass tubestock planting by delivery partners and community groups)

Phase 2 project selection

The Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, announced the first package of tree planting projects funded under phase one of the More Trees for a Cooler Greener West program in October 2021.

Phase 2 of the program was designed to include planting of over 100,000 trees in 2022, by providing funding and tubestock to eligible organisations.

More trees for a cooler, greener west - program guidelines (PDF, 2.2 MB)

Eligibility

Tree planting projects had to be located within one of the six Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Melbourne’s west:

Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melton, Moonee Valley and Wyndham. These areas were selected because the western region has the lowest tree canopy cover across metropolitan Melbourne and are significant areas of population growth.

Eligible organisations applied for junior tree stock (commonly referred to as tubestock) and associated funding under the following three streams.

Eligible organisations were expected to contribute towards the overall cost of the project(s) through a combination of in-kind support (time spent planning and delivering the projects) as well as cash contributions (such as planting and maintenance costs).

Projects had to demonstrate how they:

1. Contribute to urban cooling in locations of high community use, especially by those particularly vulnerable to the effects of urban heat (e.g. young children, older people, people with disabilities).
2. Contribute to urban greening in locations with particularly low canopy tree cover, adding to the urban forest and benefiting biodiversity values.
3. Include tree species and sizes appropriate for the location and future climate conditions.
4. Consider passive watering/integrated water management principles to utilise all sources of water.
5. Include opportunities for local community involvement, including at least two community tree planting events**.
6. Are able to complete all of the tree planting component by 30 November 2022.
7. Are financially viable and represents value for money.
8. Have all relevant planning, approvals and management plans (e.g. cultural heritage), or able to demonstrate that those planning considerations can be factored into the projects and still be delivered within the required timeframes.

* Projects by RAPs for stream three will demonstrate how they contribute to planting on country aspirations.

** Not applicable where there is a safety issue preventing community involvement,

Key dates

Please note: Key dates may be subject to change – eligible organisations will be advised of any changes to key dates accordingly.