Schools, kindergartens and early learning centres near North East Link tunnelling works now have access to nursery vouchers as part of a $50,000 program to support more green spaces.
As part of the Greener North East program, Yarra View and Bushland Flora Nursery is providing nursery vouchers to more than 20 local schools and early learning centres for trees, plants and supplies. North East Link arboriculture specialists will also work with schools to help them choose suitable tree species and locations. The Spark Consortium is delivering the North East Link tunnels and is partnering with the nursery on the voucher program.
Yarra View and Bushland Flora Nursery is Australia’s leading social enterprise nursery. They employ 135 staff, including 85 adults living with intellectual disability.
A tree planting program for residents will be available next year, focusing on areas most impacted by construction. We’re also working with local community groups and organisations to reuse logs, timber and mulch.
North East Link’s tree planting program will see more than 30,000 trees planted – and we’ve started early, planting more than 1500 trees at local schools, sports facilities, local streets, parks and reserves.
Earlier this month, 100 Matted Flax-lilies were also planted at Cherry Street Reserve in Watsonia. Each Matted Flax-lily that needs to be moved for North East Link works will be divided to create multiple new plants – increasing the number of this significant species in Melbourne’s north east.
As preparation for tunnelling gets underway, some trees will need to be removed, in line with the project’s extensive environmental approvals. We’ll keep as many trees as possible, including avoiding the much-loved Bulleen River Red Gum. More than 50 MCGs of open space will be delivered as part of the North East Link Program, including:
- new community parkland along the Banyule Creek
- new wetlands along the Yarra River and Koonung Creek
- a 2-hectare green bridge over Bulleen Road.
Read the trees and vegetation fact sheet.