1,000 trees planted for a Cooler, Greener West

Greater Western Water (GWW), in collaboration with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and Wadawurrung Nursery, has planted 1,000 native trees around Eynesbury Dam as part of the Victorian Government’s More Trees for a Cooler, Greener West program.

Native tree saplings planted around the Eynesbury Dam will create tree canopy cover and deliver lasting environmental benefits for the area.

This initiative is part of a broader $11.95 million investment to plant 500,000 trees across Melbourne’s west by the end of 2026, led by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).

With dry conditions placing added pressure on local ecosystems, planting native trees is more important than ever, helping to provide natural cooling, retaining soil moisture, and supporting groundwater recharge and soil fertility.

GWW’s General Manager of Strategy and Partnerships Kessia Thomson said the organisation is proud to be working with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and Wadawurrung Nursery to deliver and plant locally sourced tubestock for the initiative. 

“With the western region home to nearly one million people and an expected population increase of over 535,000 in the next 15 years, this work is particularly important in Melbourne’s west. We have the city’s lowest average tree canopy cover - just 5.5%, compared to 15% total metropolitan tree canopy cover.”

Native trees planted at the West Werribee Treatment Plant in 2022 are now well established.

Since 2022, GWW has supported the program through four planting projects, increasing tree canopy cover and delivering lasting environmental benefits in one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions. At GWW’s West Werribee Treatment Plant, native trees planted in 2022 are now well established, providing shade to the area and showcasing the benefits of the program after just three years.

Planting new trees and vegetation along Eynesbury Dam is part of a long-term vision to connect the Eynesbury Forest, Werribee River corridor, and Pinkerton Forest, enhancing urban biodiversity and natural habitat corridors.
This project reflects GWW's commitment to healing and caring for Country through climate mitigation and stronger collaboration with Traditional Owners.