Council has recently met with a small group of Kallista residents and traders to propose a localised Street Tree Plan for the town. It proposes replanting oak trees, of the Pin Oak species, in locations along Monbulk Road and the corner of Sherbrooke Road in Kallista.
In 2021 and 2023, Council removed several oak trees along Monbulk Road, following structural faults in the trees posing a high risk to people and property.
Following previous conversations with community members and local groups in Kallista – including the Kallista Village Township Group, Kallista Flood Watch, and local traders, and a public petition requesting Oak Trees were replanted, Council has been preparing a Street Tree Plan to manage remaining trees and replant oak trees along Monbulk Road in the next planting season.
Lyster Ward Councillor, Johanna Skelton, said she felt that the new pin oak trees would preserve the character and heritage of the town as well as be a more appropriate species for the constrained area and busy road.
"I know that people in Kallista appreciate living amongst trees, and have been waiting for some form of replanting following the 2021 tree removals," Cr Skelton said.
"Teams at Council are updating the proposed Street Tree Plan now after running it past the group, and we look forward to sharing it with the wider community shortly for further feedback.
"The plan will outline the benefits of the new pin oak species, along with replacements to trees still on Monbulk Road that are currently in poor health and some new locations where trees could be added".
"We've had useful and positive feedback on the draft Plan that Officers ran past the group, and we look forward to seeing what other locals have to say before the plan is finalised."
