The City of Ballarat is replacing 70 trees along the Avenue of Honour at Burrumbeet.
The 68 Poplar and two English Elm trees, between Bo Peep Road and Lake Burrumbeet Caravan Park, are at the end of their life and are either in decline or have structural issues.
Works began late last week and are expected to last for several weeks. While works are carried out, lane closures and traffic control measures will be in place on weekdays.
The City of Ballarat’s Parks and Gardens team is working with Heritage Victoria, the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and the Arch of Victory/Avenue of Honour Committee on the project.
Two years of planning has gone into the project. The City of Ballarat has obtained a Heritage Victoria permit and a Cultural Heritage permit to undertake the tree replacement program.
The works will be carried out in accordance with Heritage Victoria endorsed plans, including a Heritage Protection Plan, a Tree Removal and Replacement Plan, a Plaque Management Plan and a Tree Establishment Plan. The works are being guided by a City of Ballarat arborist.
Following consultation with Heritage Victoria, the trees will be replaced with 30 Hybrid Oak and 40 Pin Oak trees.
In line with the Avenue of Honour’s Conservation Management Plan, the trees can be replaced with a suitable species such as European large canopy deciduous trees.
City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Des Hudson said this important program of tree renewal will preserve the historical and culturally significant site.
“This program of tree renewal will ensure the ongoing protection and enhancement of the Avenue of Honour,” he said.
“This is a significant part of Ballarat and we are working to preserve it for future generations.
“Oaks will be more suitable to the site and have shown adaption to climate change, they are moderately fast growing and are a large canopy tree.”
The replacement trees, and swale drain, will be planted in the same location but one metre back from their current position to comply with the Conservation Management Plan and road safety measures.
To assist with the planting, the drain will also be relocated one metre back from the road while the name plaques will also be relocated one metre back.
A two-year maintenance period for the new 1.5 metre to 2 metre tall trees will include watering, weeding, re-staking, pruning and any other works required.
Fourteen recently planted English Oak trees will be protected throughout the works.
Ballarat’s Avenue of Honour is Australia’s longest avenue of its kind, stretching 22 kilometres and including 3801 trees.
Each tree is paired with a plaque dedicated to the individual men and women from Ballarat who enlisted their services in World War I.
