Melbourne Water is helping plant trees to cool the city and improve water quality. 

The water utility’s Urban Cooling Program sees Melbourne Water work with councils and community groups to transform public land, paths and trails. 

In the latest phase of the program - the Galada Tamboore project in Campbellfield - 120 red gum and sheoak trees and 1,700 native shrubs and grasses were planted along a 1.2km stretch of the Merri Creek Trail.

Melbourne Water General Manager Waterways and Catchment Operations Emily Phillips says the project has a range of flow-on benefits. 

“Planting trees not only helps cool our city, but can also improve amenity, create habitat and lessen the impact of stormwater pollution on our rivers and creeks,” Ms Phillips says.

“As the trees grow, they will shade the Merri Creek Trail at Galada Tamboore and transform the area into a more inviting place where cyclists and pedestrians are protected from the summer sun

“The planting has been designed to protect remnant grassland vegetation and biodiversity values within the broader reserve.”

Galada Tamboore means ‘Creek Waterhole’ in Woi-wurrung language. Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung’s Narrap team is frequently used as a land management contractor on Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country.

More information is available here.