A message from the Mayor - Deakin Avenue Trees

There has been lots of comments in the community about Council’s plans to revitalise Deakin Avenue and to remove a number of the sugar gums along this iconic boulevard.  I must admit I have been surprised that so many people seem to think this decision has been made lightly and without serious contemplation and consideration.

 

 

All the Councillors and Council staff are extremely passionate about protecting our natural environment and our natural heritage and the decision to start a staged revitalisation of Deakin Avenue, has been made with the environment at the forefront of the process.

 

The decision to go ahead and begin works later this year on the median strip between Ninth and Tenth Streets, is a decision we needed to make not just for the safety of our current residents, visitors and road users, but for the amenity of this important thoroughfare into the future.  

 

Sure, we could have made the choice to just keep lopping the already irretrievably damaged trees, spending thousands on inefficient pruning each year and wasting water with an outdated irrigation system.

 

But we didn’t.  We made a tough decision and decided to begin the rejuvenation process now.

 

The work will start with the removal of the several trees that have come to the end of their life and follow on with the installation of a more efficient underground irrigation system that will see less water wasted. Once the preparation has been completed, the new trees and gardens will be planted.

 

And yes, we have thought about the future and how to retain links with our past. Some years ago Council propagated seeds from these original sugar gums and have been carefully growing new trees to replace the ones being removed.

 

Some people have questioned why we would replant the same type of tree that is currently causing problems.  The Deakin Avenue sugar gums were originally planted by the Chaffey Brothers and are an important part of our local heritage. Past lopping and pruning practices (which began in the early 1900’s) have caused many of the irreparable issues we are facing today.  With a better understanding of tree development and maintenance than our forefathers, hopefully we will leave a more manageable legacy for our grandchildren.

 

The report that went to Council indicated in total 57 trees are considered to be reaching the end of their life.  We’re not going to pull out all 57 trees in one go.  It will be staged over a number of years, with the most dangerous to be removed in the coming months.

 

We have been working closely with a number of groups, including Greening Mildura, to make sure the new plantings complement the existing streetscape, recognise our history and are sustainable into the future. 

 

And yes - we are looking at ways to recycle the wood from the trees being removed and maybe see it returned to Deakin Avenue as furniture or art.

 

The draft plans for the rejuvenation of Deakin Avenue between Ninth and Tenth Street are available from Council offices and we will be sharing lots of information about the works in the coming months.  If you do have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Council.