The donation of around 300 plants from a level crossing removal project in Melbourne’s south east is assisting a local school to set up its first horticulture-inspired program.
The level crossing at Clyde Road, Berwick was removed in February this year by building a road underpass beneath the Pakenham rail line.
Cire Community School is an independent secondary school that offers flexible learning opportunities at 4 campuses in Yarra Junction, Lilydale, Mt Evelyn and Berwick.
Berwick Campus Principal Tom Witenden said the plants, which include a mixture of 4 species — kangaroo paw, salt bush, dianella tasmanica and lomandra tanika — will help cultivate a new horticulture initiative at the school.
“With the addition of a new greenhouse, the plants will play a central role in the initial set up, with the seeds and cuttings to also be used in future programs,” Mr Witenden said.
Cire Community School caters to a wide range of young people; offering hands-on practical learning opportunities.
“This donation will play a vital role in creating a sustainable and welcoming environment for our young people,” he said.
“The plants will allow students to ‘get their hands dirty’ and help them learn new skills that will support them in life.”
In total, the Clyde Road Level Crossing Removal Project has donated around 1000 plants to Cire Community School, Nossal High School, and Little by Little café.
The Clyde Road level crossing was the 12th to be removed along the Pakenham Line in February this year, with nine more to go to make it boom-gate free by 2025.
Since the level crossing was removed, crews have been finishing works and landscaping, including the establishment of a new pocket park in Berwick.
The initiative is part of works that will plant more than 37,000 trees, plants and shrubs throughout the Clyde Road project area.
The Level Crossing Removal Project is also delivering the new Berwick Station bus interchange, which will double the number of bus bays and improve accessibility for passengers.
