Surf Coast towns get tree boost

THE Surf Coast Shire’s Branching Out program has seen streets in Deans Marsh and Winchelsea lined with trees.

Working with the Deans Marsh Streetscaping Group, trees were planted on Birregurra-Deans Marsh Road, Winchelsea-Deans Marsh Road and the Deans Marsh-Lorne Road.

Deans Marsh Streetscapers’ James Maund said the group was thrilled to have 80 new trees.

“As soon as the trees went in there was an immediate and exciting new sense of place created.

“This project is an excellent example of the shire and local community working together to deliver a project which will have positive outcomes for generations to come.

The aim for Deans Marsh is to create tree-lined avenues that help create a cool, vibrant and interesting streets.

Plans for the Winchelsea project were developed in partnership with Growing Winchelsea’s Arboretum Trail sub-committee.

Barwon Terrace and Hopkins Street received the trees.

Trees in Winchelsea will help mitigate heat in streets during summer and provide streetscapes all residents can be proud of.

Growing Winchelsea’s Arboretum Trail sub-committee’s Nadia Hutton said two of the aims for their concept plan are to provide beautiful avenues in Winchelsea and become a tree town.

“Other benefits of this ongoing project include mitigating the heat in our streets in summer and providing streetscapes of which all residents will be proud.

“We look forward to continuing our work with council and advocating for the community for further tree planting, in our current streets and in the developments that are predicted for Winchelsea.”

Subject to funding, the Branching Out program is a six-year initiative that would bring around 1,200 new trees across the shire.

Cr Leon Walker said the recent projects were a prefect coming together of Council’s tree planting aims.

“Council has worked closely with community groups in Deans Marsh and Winchelsea to develop tree planting programs that meet their priorities.

“It’s a great example of what can be achieved when communities get active in planning the future of their towns and then partner with Council to help make their plans a reality.”

Future planting projects will be identified and include an opportunity for community input in early 2026.

Deans Marsh and Winchelsea projects have a contract for the next two years that includes watering and maintenance to help the trees become healthy and established.