10,000 native plants to take root across Gippsland
Gippsland Water is planting 10,000 trees and shrubs across the region after customers backed the initiative.
Plantings are already underway at several sites including the Traralgon Railway Reservoir Conservation Reserve and Mirboo North wastewater treatment plant.
More than 750 customers responded to a survey asking whether the organisation should purchase additional renewable energy or plant 10,000 trees and shrubs, with 77 per cent choosing the planting option.
The planting program is a direct response to that feedback.
Managing director Sarah Cumming said the project showed how customer feedback was helping shape environmental initiatives across the region.
“Customers told us they wanted to see practical environmental action and this program delivers on that feedback,” Ms Cumming said.
“The planting program will help improve biodiversity, support healthier waterways and restore native vegetation where it has been lost over time.
“It also demonstrates how customer feedback directly influences the decisions we make.”
The program includes native species such as Gippsland Red Gum, Forest Burgan, Lightwood, Black Sheoak and Spiny-head Mat-rush. It’s also contributing to the restoration of the critically endangered Red Gum Plains Grassy Woodland.
Around 2,000 native trees and shrubs were previously planted at Primrose Park near Boolarra in 2025.
Gippsland Water staff are taking part in planting activities at local sites throughout the program.
The planting program supports Gippsland Water’s climate change targets which aim to reduce carbon emissions and increase the amount of electricity sourced from renewable energy as part of the organisation’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2030.
