By Christine de Kock
TREE planting along Stony Creek will transform the site which was once overrun with weeds.
The city councils of Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay are involved in the Stony Creek tree planting project, which should be completed by the end of this month and is aimed at reducing greenhouse gases.
The councils hope to reduce the impact of carbon dioxide emissions on the environment and have joined forces with Greenfleet Australia, which will plant 1700 native trees on their behalf.
Greenfleet calculates the average car each year produces 4.3 tonnes of carbon dioxide and by planting 17 trees per vehicle those emissions will be absorbed as the trees grow.
The organisation will plant 1200 trees on the northern or Maribyrnong side of the creek and 500 on the southern side.
Maribyrnong mayor Michelle MacDonald said planting native trees will not only increase the number of plants around the creek but provide a new habitat for local birdlife.
“It’s good for councils to be involved in this project. It provides a positive way to help the environment,” she said.
Maribyrnong’s manager of sustainability and environment Mr Gavin Mountjoy said the council was committed to meeting energy targets.
“Council joined the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives last year,” he said.
“This year we set a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent by the year 2010, based on our 2002 emissions.”
He said part of that plan was to create an energy performance contract to reduce light, heating and water consumption in six councilowned buildings, which included the Maribyrnong Town Hall, the Footscray library and the two community centres of Braybrook and Maribyrnong.
“We conducted an audit and know how much energy is used by these sites,” he said. “The audit looked at all council activities, car fleet and street lighting, and we are developing an action plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions”.
He said the council would consider introducing more energy efficient street lighting and encouraging council staff and the public to ride, walk or take public transport to work.
He said such suggestions are not always met with a positive reaction. “It’s slow work but we are working on it. We bought four new bikes which we will be using as vehicles to be booked out.
“We’re thinking footpath inspectors could use the bikes with perhaps a specially mounted computer on it. We are examining a whole range of strategies.”
Greenfleet offered to plant the trees for $40 per car, and the service is tax deductible. For more information contact 1800 032 999.
