Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour

Why is it important?

The Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour is a combination of 281 predominantly Dutch elms (Ulmus X hollandica) and Huntington elms (Ulmus X hollandica 'Vegeta') and was planted in a single afternoon on 10 August 1918 as a memorial to local soldiers who enlisted in World War 1.  It is located on the eastern side of the Bacchus Marsh township and extends for approximately 2.9 km.  One of the Elms was planted in honour of Rupert Moon.  Moon, when aged 24, was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. 

Why is it at risk?

Part of the Western Highway Realignment Project is a proposed extension of Woolpack Road at Bacchus Marsh with insertion of a 50 metre diameter roundabout and removal of up to a dozen of the mature Dutch elms trees, including that of Rupert Moon, VC.  The road works will extend Woolpack Road 800 metres north of the Avenue to a new diamond interchange with the Western Highway. 

Whilst the Avenue will be added to the Victorian Heritage Register, the Executive Director Heritage Victoria has already received a permit application under the Heritage Act 1995 for the proposed works.  The Trust has lodged an objection and continues to work very closely with the local community to fight the proposal.

What needs to be done?

The Trust believes that all alternative routes should be exhausted before any trees are removed.  Finding an alternative route is a priority, even if it is at an extra cost.  Given the Avenue’s integrity this project must not be solely cost driven.  It is hard to imagine that desecration of a war memorial to accommodate trucks would be considered anywhere else in the world, especially when there are alternative routes close by.