Liam McNally
Two plans, which would require 205 trees on Bacchus Marsh’s Avenue of Honour be replaced, have been drafted by Moorabool Council and are being put out for public consultation.
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.
Moorabool mayor Rod Ward said the purpose of the strategy and the plan was to ensure the avenue was effectively managed as a living memorial and preserved for future generations.
“Council is the custodian of this key historic community asset and responsible for ensuring it upholds its historic and aesthetic significance,” he said.
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.
“We take the significance of each tree very seriously as they honour someone who has fought for our country, so when a tree needs replacing due to bad health, new trees are propagated from the removed tree, so all trees remain true to type,” Cr Ward said.
Bacchus Marsh RSL President Mick Baxter said The Avenue of Honour remains one of the main symbols of the RSL.
“That’s where our history is coming from, that’s where our ancestors fought to give us the freedom we have today… There’s a lot of history there and the avenue needs to be preserved for the memories of the fallen.
“My personal opinion is the management strategy and preservation plan looks well placed, however we’ve only had one really brief overview, so I would encourage anyone to go to the drop in sessions.”
Information sessions will be held at the Lerderderg Library, Bacchus Marsh on August 15, noon to 2pm, August 18, 10am to noon, August 21, 1pm to 3pm and August 23, 5pm to 7pm.
