Mel Yuan for Brunswick

This is a photo of pigface – Carpobrotus modestus – one of Victoria’s most significant indigenous plants. You may have seen it, or perhaps not, because it is effectively extinct in our urban environment.

I help coordinate Brunswick Communities for Nature to help people reclaim under-used public space, such as nature strips, and plant them with indigenous plants.

Our group recently made a submission to council about its Weed and Pest policy (bc4n-weed-pest-policy). (although the consultation is no longer on the website and the new policy is not published)

I’m excited by the idea of an Urban Forest Strategy like that pursued by the Melbourne City Council. Moreland has a real opportunity to lead on promoting biodiversity and the use of indigenous plants to provide habitat for our magnificent indigenous insects and birds. Brunswick has an important location between the Moonee Ponds and Merri Creeks and north of Royal Park.

Jo Connellan, local resident and former councillor, has been developing Jewell station as Brunswick’s only indigenous park, for over 20 years. It’s exciting to learn more about development of the Upfield Linear Park.

I’m proud to be part of a greening movement in Brunswick that has seen residents take ownership over greening substantial parts of our highly urbanised environment.