Council is about to start work on the next stage of the biggest upgrade to Mildura's iconic Deakin Avenue centre median in our city's history.
The first stage of the Deakin Avenue upgrade, between Ninth and Tenth Streets, was completed last year, creating an attractive, modern look for Mildura's main thoroughfare, while preserving and highlighting important historic links to our past.
A similar treatment is now planned for the next stage of Deakin Avenue, focusing on the centre median between Eighth and Ninth Streets.
In line with the previous stage of works, the first step will be removal of existing sugar gums, primarily due to the risk they pose the public.
This work will start on Monday 17 June and take up to 10 days to complete.
The decision follows an assessment by an independent arborist who determined the sugar gums are no longer safe. This was evidenced by the need for Council to cut down one of the sugar gums sooner than expected earlier this year, on the corner of Eighth Street and Deakin Avenue, after it dropped several large limbs.
Mildura Mayor Simon Clemence said Council understood the value and amenity provided by trees, particularly historically significant trees, however inappropriate tree-lopping techniques several decades ago had caused irreparable damage, leaving no option but to remove them to ensure the public's safety.
"This is certainly not something we take lightly, and a lot of thought and consultation has gone into this, including discussions with the Mildura and District Historical Society and Greening Mildura," Cr Clemence said.
"As was the case in the first phase of works, there's a sad consensus that this is unavoidable and needs to happen.
"However we'll still be retaining the trees' links to the past, as they'll be replaced with about 20 sugar gums grown from the same seed stocks as those that originally stood in Deakin Avenue, dating back to the Chaffey brothers' era."
Cr Clemence said the strip of Deakin Avenue between Eighth and Ninth Streets contained several historically significant monuments and structures, all of which would be retained and protected.
"Deakin Avenue is our city's backbone, in more ways than one," he said.
"Yes it's our main street, but it's been an iconic part of our city's identity since it was settled, making it important to not only preserve the history it contains, but make it a highlight.
"As a result, structures like the Mildura Rotunda, the King George seat and all other limestone features, will be more prominent features as part of the redevelopment of this stretch of Deakin Avenue."
Along with tree removal, contractors will prepare the centre median for a completely new landscape design, which will complement the existing themes established between Ninth and Tenth Streets.
Motorists are asked to take care when driving past this section of Deakin Avenue while these works are taking place, as there will be lane closures while they're under way.
For more details about the project you can visit the Mildura Rural City Council website www.mildura.vic.gov.au
