Grow West needs helping hands

GROW West and Moorabool Shire Council are asking green-thumbed Darley locals to join a community planting day at Telford Park on Sunday 21 July to plant 4000 native seedlings.

This year’s planting day on Wurundjeri Country will focus on in-fill planting to provide further habitat for birds and insects to habitat linkages along the Lerderderg River.

Grow West is hosted by Melbourne Water as our region’s Catchment Management Authority and its goal is to restore degraded landscapes in Melbourne’s west.

The indigenous seedlings, grown locally at the Moorabool Landcare Network Nursery, need to be planted and protected with guards from damage.

Some plant guards have been reclaimed by the Moorabool Landcare Network for use from past planting sites to reduce waste.

Telford Park – formerly a landfill site – is comprised of sixteen hectares of parkland which has been upgraded to an all abilities walking trail connected to the Bald Hill walking track.

More than 2500 hectares of land have been rehabilitated thanks to the work of more than 3000 Grow West volunteers who have turned out over the last 21 years.

Grow West owes its success as one of the longest running restoration programs in Victoria to the strong involvement of community and contributions from partner agencies. This includes: Melbourne Water, Moorabool Shire Council, City of Melton, Moorabool Landcare Network, Southern Rural Water, Greater Western Water, Parks Victoria and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.

“It’s very exciting to revisit a site where we last had a planting day in 2017 to further improve native habitat connectivity through the landscape, especially along the Lerderderg River,” Grow West Coordinator, Lindy MacRaild said.

Staff from Melbourne Water, Moorabool Shire Council, Friends of Werribee Gorge and Long Forest Mallee, Moorabool Landcare Network, Fifteen Trees, Bacchus Marsh Lions Club, Victorian Mobile Landcare Group and Victorian National Parks Association will also be present to assist.

“This is a fantastic initiative that will make a big difference to the look and feel of the all-abilities sculpture trail as well as providing important habitat linkages,” said Moorabool Shire Council mayor Cr Ally Munari.

The event was funded through the Victorian Government’s Iconic Urban Waterways grants program which funds activities in support of the Waterways of the West Action Plan.

Melbourne Water, as a CMA, is responsible for delivering land, water and biodiversity programs that enhance and protect the environment and support thriving communities throughout our catchments.

If you are interested in taking part, lunch and refreshments will be provided to all of our wonderful volunteers.

Bring your own plates and cups if you can to reduce waste. For more information, and to register, visit growwest.com.au.

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