More trees for Melbourne

Since 2021, the More trees for a cooler, greener west program has planted almost 500,000 trees, improving air quality, creating more shade and cooling down suburbs.

In September 2025, the Victorian Government announced $9.5 million to plant 500,000 more trees across Melbourne, targeting areas with below average tree canopy cover and high heat vulnerability.

This program is being delivered in 2 streams, with Stream 1 focussed on tree planting and Stream 2 supporting the delivery of innovative urban greening solutions.

The program aims to:

• contribute to urban cooling and greening in Melbourne by planting more trees and reducing heat island effects
• improve comfort, safety and amenity in busy urban areas that support economic growth and community connection, such as local shopping strips
• increase shade in pedestrian movement networks that connect neighbourhoods or transport routes
• support more resilient and liveable urban environments for communities, workers and visitors
• increase community connection to nature and support biodiversity outcomes.

Stream 1: More trees for Melbourne

Funding is available for tree planting projects located predominantly on public land in local government areas with low tree canopy and a heat vulnerability index score above 3.

Stream 2: Cooler Melbourne streets

Funding is available for innovative projects that cool and green urban heat islands, particularly to improve comfort, safety and amenity in busy urban areas that support economic growth and community connection, such as local shopping strips and pedestrian movement networks that connect neighbourhoods or transport routes.

This may include small to medium scale, site-specific installations - such as urban arbours, green walls and shade structures - as well as larger scale landscaping and streetscape redesigns along high foot-traffic street frontages.

Eligibility

Eligibility criteria differ between the two streams:

Stream 1: funding is available to organisations, such as Local Government Authorities, Water Corporations and Registered Aboriginal Parties within local government areas of Melbourne, which are classified as having a heat vulnerability index above 3.

Table 1 – Local Government areas eligible for Stream 1

Stream 2: funding is available to all 31 Local Government Authorities within Metropolitan Melbourne, which can demonstrate a localised high urban impact and low level of natural vegetation.

Co-contribution requirements apply.

Further information on the eligibility criteria, application process and selection criteria is detailed in the program guidelines.

Program guidelines:

• Funding guidelines (PDF, 722.3 KB)
• Funding guidelines – accessible (DOCX, 441.6 KB)

Stream 1 – More Trees Melbourne:

• Budget Spreadsheet - Stream 1a (Excel, 45.3 KB)
• Budget Spreadsheet - Stream 1b (Excel, 45.1 KB)
• Tree allocation form (Excel, 30.9 KB)

Stream 2 – Cooler Melbourne Streets:

• Budget Spreadsheet - Stream 2 (Excel, 37.9 KB)

Apply for the program

Eligible applicants can apply via Grants Online:

• Apply for Stream 1 – More Trees Melbourne
• Apply for Stream 1b – Planting on Country
• Apply for Stream 2 – Cooler Melbourne Streets

Key dates

Note: Key dates may be subject to change – eligible organisations will be advised of any changes accordingly.

Applications for projects that can commence as soon as possible to maximise canopy cover and cooler streets will be highly regarded.

Page last updated: 27/05/26