Golden Plains Shire Council is seeking feedback from residents of Inverleigh on the species of trees they would like to see as part of the Western and Eastern Avenues of the town.
The Inverleigh Tree Succession Plan (the Plan) will detail the approach Council will take to removing and replacing trees in Inverleigh, including in the Western Cypress Avenue and Public Camping reserve, as well as the re-instatement of the lost Eastern Avenue. The Plan will provide a detailed species palette based on site suitability and informed by community consultation, ensuring the future sustainability of trees in Inverleigh while recognising the historic significance trees in these locations hold to the community.
In November 2021, Council conducted community consultation to determine the preferred shape and style of tree for each location. From this consultation, Council established that the Western Cypress Avenue should not be replaced with the same species and the Eastern Avenue should be re-instated with trees of exotic origin.
Three native Australian tree species have been identified as suitable for the Western Avenue replacement and two exotic and one native Australian species were selected for the Eastern Avenue re-instatement. Council is now seeking feedback from the Inverleigh community on their preferred tree species for each location.
The Inverleigh Tree Succession Plan Survey is open from Thursday 19 May to Thursday 15 June and will be sent by mail to all residents of Inverleigh, arriving in mailboxes at the end of May.
The survey can be completed at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations or pick up a print copy at Council’s Customer Service Centre, 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn. Completed paper surveys may be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to: Golden Plains Shire Council, PO Box 111, Bannockburn, VIC, 3331, marked ‘Attention: Inverleigh Tree Succession Plan’.
For the Public Camping reserve, a species palette has been developed based on-site suitability and community preferences on tree style and shape. The palette identifies 15 trees of mixed origin with spreading canopies to be used to replace deteriorating trees in the reserve in the future.
Council is also investigating trees that may be suitable for future tree stump sculptures on the Western Avenue and Eastern Avenue and will continue to consult with relevant specialists and community groups.
Mayor Cr Gavin Gamble encouraged residents of Inverleigh to complete the survey and have their say on the Plan.
It was great to hear feedback on the Plan from the Inverleigh community last year and Council is pleased to be providing further opportunity for Inverleigh residents to have their say on the trees that are such an important feature of the township.
The previous engagement established that the Western and Eastern Avenues will be replanted with two different species of tree and a mix for the camping area. Council wants to ensure the replanting meets the expectations of the community and is guided by knowledgeable staff to ensure the best outcome. I encourage all Inverleigh locals to share their thoughts on the tree species they’d like to see on the Avenues by completing the survey.