Two plans, which would require 205 trees on Bacchus Marsh’s Avenue of Honour be replaced, have been adopted by Moorabool Council.
The Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour Management Strategy and the Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour Preservation Plan were developed in consultation with expert arborists, heritage personnel and stakeholders.
The plans cover 360 trees, 281 of which are the heritage listed elm trees planted in 1918, dedicated to soldiers from the area who lost their lives during World War One.
Another 40 trees date back to 1880.
The plans identify that the original plantings are nearing the end of their natural lives, and the higher levels of traffic in the area pose management challenges.
As a result, it proposes to take a staggered approach to replacing 205 trees over the next 20 years.
Following the adoption of a draft of the plans in August, council engaged the community through a series of library drop-in sessions, face-to-face presentations with the Bacchus Marsh RSL and Moorabool Heritage Advisory Committee, and online promotion.
Following community engagement a few minor changes to the final plan were made, and the final plan was adopted at a meeting on November 1.
Moorabool mayor Rod Ward commended council officers on the amount of community consultation involved in the project.
“I attended one of the visitor drop-in sessions and it was very well received by the public – it’s a fantastic piece of work,” he said.
