Replanting of the Woorndoo Avenue of Honour will begin in the coming months after councillors approved funding for the project.
At Tuesday’s Ordinary Council Meeting held in Koroit, Councillors approved a budget variation to re-allocate $30,000 of existing council funding towards the project.
Council will plant 48 Grevillea Robusta – commonly known as Silky Oaks – to replace the Monterey Cypress trees which were removed in 2021. Silky Oaks were selected as the new species following community consultation and surveys in June 2021.
Mayor, Ian Smith said it was great to be progressing the project and returning the avenue to its former glory.
“Heritage research showed the cypress trees were originally planted as an Avenue of Honour by returning service personnel from World War I. But they had been omitted from studies about avenues of honour and it wasn’t listed as one,’’ Mayor Smith said.
“It’s now recognised as an avenue of honour and I’m very pleased that we will be returning it to its former glory with a new tree species that is more suitable in terms on form, appearance, climate and maintenance.
“We’ll keep the community informed but it is likely planting will happen towards the middle of the year which has been suggested by arborists.”
