Thursday, November 7, 2024

Greater Geelong rolls out planting plan

City of Greater Geelong Council is planting more than 52,000 trees, grasses, and shrubs in Wandana Gully as it reaches the final stages of a project to improve the drainage reserve in Highton.

The Council has invested $1.5 million in the project to turn Wandana Gully into an open space the whole community can enjoy.

It says the project will help protect and enhance the environment and biodiversity while also creating a site that is easier and safer to manage and access.

“We want to create a connection between the top and bottom sections of the gully, linking walking trails, and creating a vibrant open space with additional tree and shrub plantings,” said Mayor, Trent Sullivan.

“The Gully spans more than nine hectares so we want to make sure it’s an open space that everyone can enjoy.”

Crews are planting 86 trees such as Eucalypts and Acacia, 80 shrubs such as bottlebrushes, and more than 52,000 ground covers including, tussock grass, inland pigface, saltbush, and broadleaf hopbush.

They have already removed debris from site, conducted herbicide and weed control, installed rabbit proof fencing, and jute matting, topsoil, and tree guarding.

Wandana Gully functions as a drainage reserve between Valencay Avenue, Nedlands Avenue, Stoneleigh Crescent and Cholet Court in Highton. 

“Planting shrubs and trees will support biodiversity and help protect the Barwon River from the impacts of urban stormwater run-off,” said Kardinia Ward Councillor, Ron Nelson.

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