The Backyard tree planting program supports people near construction areas to green their gardens.

In 2023, 1000 free trees were available to support residents in Watsonia, Macleod, Yallambie, Rosanna, Viewbank and Bulleen near construction of the North East Link tunnels.

In 2024, a further 1000 free trees were available to support residents close to works for the Eastern Freeway Upgrades: Burke to Tram in Balwyn North, Bulleen, Box Hill North, Doncaster and Mont Albert North. 1000 free trees were also available to support residents near M80 Ring Road Completion worksites in Bundoora, Greensborough, Watsonia and Watsonia North.

Trees given away have included natives ideal for planting and growing in gardens including wattles, bottlebrushes and gum trees from Knoxbrooke Nursery.

The Backyard tree planting program is on top of work underway to plant at least 2 trees for every 1 removed for construction. Trees planted in local gardens are not counted towards project tree replacement requirements.

It’s all part of delivering one of the biggest tree planting programs for a major road project in Victoria.