Tree works and projects

Our 'Rewilding' program achieved 125,000 plantings in parks and open spaces in 2020. We've committed to planting even more.

After its hugely successful implementation in 2020, Darebin’s ‘Rewilding’ program is back for 2021.

Looking to help reinvigorate a number of our Parks and Open Space areas, the key program outcomes include:

• Significant increase in indigenous vegetation
• Habitat creation for native fauna
• Improved moisture retention through mulching
• Reduced soil compaction around significant trees
• Significant amenity improvements
• Increase in indigenous species diversity

As a key outcome of Council's Breathing Space Strategy, Rewilding 2020 saw an incredible 125,000 indigenous trees, shrubs, grasses and groundcovers planted throughout many of our parks and open space areas. These new plantings are already making significant contributions to the local amenity and biodiversity values of each site.

Council has again committed to an intensive indigenous planting program for 2021 with an additional 200,000 plants scheduled for a variety of sites throughout the municipality (see site map(PDF, 2MB)).

Many of these sites will benefit from the establishment of completely new areas of indigenous vegetation. Others will receive infill planting to build on what is already present within the site. Complementing these plantings will be a number of large rocks and logs that will also be included at some locations to further enhance habitat values and support existing biodiversity.

Through the 2021 Rewilding Program it is anticipated that more than 35,000m2 (3.5 hectares) of open space will be transformed into a ‘bushland characteristic’ providing countless benefits to both the natural environment and the community