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Pyrenees Shire Council is revegetating the roadside reserve on the Smythesdale-Snake Valley Road east of the Woady Yaloak Primary School.
This new avenue of trees will replace the aging pines that were removed in 2023. This is an exciting opportunity to reinvigorate the eastern entrance to the town and we are seeking your feedback on the proposed plans.
Check out the proposal below and have your say using the Submission Box and Sidebar Quick Poll to the right of this page.
Tree planting proposal
The vision for the revegetation of the Smythesdale-Snake Valley Road is to create an attractive, climate-ready avenue that will deliver a burst of autumn colour, attract birdlife, and provide shade and tranquility for pedestrians walking along the footpath.
The planting area on the south side of the road is approximately 300 meters long with a wide verge that will accommodate trees of significant size. Available space on the north side of the road will also be used, though there are restrictions on what can be planted because of the overhead powerlines.
South side
There are two options for the south side of the road where the pines were removed last year.
Option 1: Alternate plantings of Quercus rubra (red oak) and Cedrus deodora (Himilayan cedar).
Option 2: Single species planting of Quercus rubra (red oak).
The red oak is a large, long-lived deciduous tree with dark green foliage that turns a deep-red red colour in autumn. These are fast-growing trees that provide shade in summer and have a well-structured, rounded form when mature.
The Himilayan cedar is another long-lived tree with a pyramid form and gentle draping blue-green foliage. These evergreen trees act as a wind break and grow up to 20 meters tall with branches spreading to 15 meters wide.
As well as providing a welcoming avenue feel for the town entrance, these trees have been chosen for toughness, low-maintenance, frost-tolerance, drought resistance and low-flammability.
Trees will be 1-1.3m tall when planted (depending on available stock) and spaced 9-10m apart. The existing granite sand footpath will be retained.
Let us know your preferred option using the Sidebar Quick Poll at right of page (or scroll to the bottom if you are reading this on a mobile phone).
North side
The north side of the road will be planted with a selection of smaller native trees and shrubs. Species such as Callistemon citrinus 'Kings Park Special' (Crimson Bottlebrush), Eucalyptus leucoxylon 'Euky Dwarf', Banksia integrifolia (Coastal Banksia), and Hakea salicifolia (Willow-leafed Hakea) will be included, subject to availability. The goal is to create a pleasant, practical and low-maintenance streetscape that will attract birdlife and bring an interesting variety of shapes and colors.
The plantings will use the available space on the north-east section of the avenue. It is expected that the ash trees in the north-western section of the avenue will be gradually replaced by a similar planting scheme as they reach the end of their useful lifespan.
The map below shows the approximate location of the proposed plantings and examples of the proposed species can be viewed in the image gallery.
Have your say
Your opinion matters and we welcome your feedback on the proposal. Have your say using the Submission Box and Sidebar Quick Poll to the right of this page, by calling Council on 1300 797 363 or by email at pyrenees@pyrenees.vic.gov.au.
Submissions close at 12pm on Monday 9 September 2024.
The final plan will be published on Council's website once all feedback has been considered.
