More trees, please! 180 new plantings and thousands more coming soon

Published on 20 June 2025

You might not notice them just yet, but 180 new trees have quietly taken root in Capel Sound and Somerville – and they’re just the beginning.

This planting blitz is part of Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Urban Forest Strategy, an ambitious, community-backed plan to grow a greener, cooler and more liveable Peninsula. 

That’s why Capel Sound and Somerville were first off the mark – both identified as high-priority areas in need of extra shade and greenery.

Locals walking or riding along Broadway in Capel Sound will soon notice the first signs of growth, with 100 new trees planted as part of recent footpath and road upgrade. 

Over in Somerville, another 80 trees have been added to Jones Road, where the Shire is trialling a clever stormwater-fed irrigation system to help trees grow stronger and live longer.

And the green momentum isn’t slowing down.

By the end of June, a further 2,000 trees will be planted across our streets and reserves – including 1,000 juvenile trees in residential areas prioritised through community requests, and 1,000 tube stock trees to boost vegetation and biodiversity in key reserves.

Adopted in September last year after extensive community consultation, the Shire’s Urban Forest Strategy sets a bold target: to shade 45 per cent of all streets and parks by 2034.

Whether it’s cooling the pavement beneath your feet or simply making your street feel more inviting – these plantings are part of a long-term vision to grow a thriving urban forest for generations to come.

Keen to be part of a greener Peninsula?
Explore our Urban Forest Strategy, join the My Smart Garden community, or request a tree for your nature strip by emailing treecaresupport@mornpen.vic.gov.au.

▶️ Want to hear more?
Watch our short video with Daniel Kabel, the Shire’s ESD Infrastructure Officer, as he shares why this work is so important – and what our streets might look like in 10 years.