Council
6 November, 2025
Avenue replanted
NEW trees have been planted at the Mortlake Avenue of Honour.
Council began planting the trees along the historical landmark from last month, with the World War One section the first to receive plantings.
Council will now allow a waiting period for the trees to become established before beginning to process of reinstating individual name plaques.
“Council estimates plaque installation will occur six-to-12 months following the planting, to allow time for the trees to establish and to complete any necessary plaque fixing requirements in consultation with the Mortlake Returned and Services League sub branch,” a council spokesperson said.
The heritage-listed avenue was originally planted in 1919 and became one of the nation’s most recognisable living memorials.
The future of the landmark had been in doubt since 2012 after members of the Mortlake RSL sub-branch approached council, requesting an investigation in to the future management of the avenue as many of the trees in the avenue were reaching the end of their life cycle, resulting in the splitting and falling of limbs.
In 2021 council nominated the Holm Oak as the replacement tree for the existing Monterey Cypress trees in the Avenue of Honour.
The replacement of trees was expected to be staged over four years with an overall cost of $450,000 over four years, including approximately $150,000 during the first year.
However, a severe storm in January 2022 saw a number of the trees sustain significant damage and an immediate removal of the trees was greenlit with approval from Heritage Victoria.
In May 2023 Moyne Shire Council also received $50,000 towards the replanting efforts under the Victorian Government’s Restoring Community War Memorials and Avenues of Honour Grant.
Read More: Mortlake