Yarra Valley Water joins forces with Lilydale locals to plant 1,600 trees along Yarra Rail Trail
Students joined staff from both organisations this week to plant native trees to enhance wildlife habitat and screen Yarra Valley Water’s new food waste to energy facility, which is under construction nearby.
Yarra Valley Water’s General Manager Distribution and Growth, Bridie Fennessy, said that during community consultation for the food waste to energy project residents had suggested they’d like more trees planted in the area.
“We listened to ideas from the community and worked with the Shire of Yarra Ranges to respond. These plants will grow to screen the facility, provide shade for rail trail users in summer and enrich the local environment.”
Ms Fennessy said the plants, sourced from social enterprise the Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater Indigenous Plant Nursery, will provide habitat for wildlife.
“Our new food waste to energy facility is being built alongside our Lilydale Sewage Treatment Plant which already provides a haven for a variety of native birds and animals,” she said.
“This includes Tawny Grassbirds, which are rarely seen in Victoria, but have recently been spotted at the treatment plant and are believed to be breeding there. By adding more vegetation to the area, we can help increase habitat for them and other native creatures. This will enhance biodiversity and support a healthy ecosystem - which is one of our strategic commitments.”
The Lilydale facility will be Yarra Valley Water’s second food waste to energy facility, creating clean, renewable energy and diverting about 55,000 tonnes of food waste from landfill every year.
Ms Fennessy said construction is off to a great start, with most of the earthmoving works completed for now.
“Over the coming months we’ll be constructing the digester tanks for the facility, which will process up to 55,000 tonnes of commercial food waste a year,” she said.
“As a water corporation, we’re deeply committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change and this facility will help us achieve our goals.”
For more information about the Lilydale Food Waste to Energy Project visit yvw.com.au/LilydaleWTE.