North Shore park benefits from planting program

The City has partnered with GeelongPort to carry out the first stage of a large revegetation project in Moorpanyal Park.

More than 1600 local indigenous species have recently been planted in the grounds of the North Shore reserve.

The plants will help to beautify the popular area along The Esplanade and provide valuable habitat for a variety of wildlife.

GeelongPort provided funding to purchase the plants, stakes and guards and the City carried out the preparation, planting and maintenance.

Initial plans for a community planting effort had to be shelved due to the COVID-19 gathering limits.

The City hopes to be able involve local residents and GeelongPort employees in the second stage of the project next year when a further 1400 plants are added.

Moorpanyal Park is a former industrial site that had once hosted part of the Port of Geelong.

It has been transformed into a thriving coastal reserve over the past 16 years through extensive rehabilitation and revegetation works.

During this time with the committed support of the North Shore Residents Group, more than 70,000 indigenous grasses, groundcovers, trees and shrubs have been planted along the cliff top.

Visitors can walk the cliff top pathways, socialise at the barbecues and table settings and have fun on the children’s playground.

Cr Kylie Grzybek, Windermere Ward

The green revival of Moorpanyal Park is one of Geelong’s environmental success stories. The ongoing restoration of one of Corio Bay’s hidden gems highlights the benefits that can be delivered when the Council, industry and community work together. We look forward to involving the local community in the next stage of the planting program when it begins next year.

Cr Anthony Aitken, Windermere Ward

This project takes us a little bit closer to our goal of greening Geelong and planting one million trees by 2030. Thanks to GeelongPort for partnering with us, and to the North Shore Residents Group for the great care they’ve shown to Moorpanyal Park for many decades.

/Public Release. View in full here.