News Alert |

Three palm trees removed from an Echuca construction site will find a new home at Ballarat’s Civic Hall precinct.   

The palms are being removed today (Wednesday 7/11) and transported to Ballarat. They will be installed on the western or Doveton Street side of Civic Hall on Thursday. 

One south-bound lane of Doveton Street (next to Civic Hall) and access to the upper level of the Library car park will be closed to traffic on Thursday to allow for the works.  

The lower level Library car park will remain open via the Market Street entry, and pedestrian access to the library will also be unaffected.      

The trees are being relocated from the former Echuca Secondary College site as part of a Major Road Projects Authority construction project around the first stage of a new bridge crossing of the Campaspe and Murray Rivers. 

The relocation of the palms is a requirement of a Cultural Heritage Management Plan for the project, with their removal to be inspected by Yorta Yorta National Aboriginal Corporation representatives to ensure preservation of any culturally significant artefacts on site. 

City of Ballarat Mayor Samantha McIntosh said the trees will complement the recently installed palms along Mair Street.  

“It’s fantastic that we are able to re-purpose these palms to further enhance the Civic Hall precinct.” 

“We’re really excited to see the reopening of the hall in the coming months and this will add something special to the surrounds.”  

“We know how important this building is to many members of the community and understand its potential to become an active community hub for the entire community to use - that's why we have worked so tirelessly to ensure its future is secured.” 

The relocation of the palms is a partnership project between Major Road Projects Authority and City of Ballarat.