By Alesha Capone
A section of the Princes Highway will be planted with trees in a design reflecting the former Calder Memorial and 1918 Avenue of Honour, after Wyndham council voted in favour of the idea last week.
The council adopted a tree masterplan for the section of highway which runs between Werribee Street to the Princes Freeway, and adjacent to the Riverwalk Estate entrance, at a meeting last Wednesday.
The council agenda said this part of the Princes Highway contained remnant trees from the Calder Memorial plantings from the 1920s-30s and some remaining trees from a World War I Avenue of Honour planting.
The Calder Memorial trees are believed to have been in memory of William Calder, the first chairman of the Country Roads Board, while the WWI trees were planted in August 1918.
The council agenda said that in 2017, a significant number of the trees along this stretch of road were removed by Development Victoria as part of the adjacent Riverwalk development.
“However, prior to this there were several trees along the stretch that were already dead or in decline,” the agenda said.
“Much of the roadside landscaping and tree plantings are now in a relatively poor and fragmented state.
“There has been significant community concern regarding the state of this roadside and the loss of amenity and heritage from the tree removals.”
The agenda said the Princes Highway Tree Master Plan had been developed to guide stakeholders who will reinstate the trees and landscape the highway.
“It seeks to create a boulevard style feel to the strip, with the design of the tree plantings reflecting the former Calder Memorial and 1918 Avenue of Honour tree planting,” the document said.
The design will also alternate between trees with light and dark-coloured trunks, reflecting the former Calder Memorial design.
As well, the masterplan includes a cycling and walking path, seating and signage acknowledging the memorial planting in the area.
