National Trust of Australia (Victoria) ABN 61 004 356 192

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25 August 2015

Cr Peter Cox

City of Greater Bendigo

PO Box 733

BENDIGO VIC 3552

Re: Council Meeting 26 August 2015

Planning Scheme Amendment C201 & Protection of the Bendigo East Anzac Avenue

Dear Councillor Cox,

I refer to the City of Greater Bendigo Ordinary Council Meeting Agenda 26 August 2015, Item 2.2:

Planning Scheme Amendment C201 - New Heritage Places and Heritage Efficiency Review - Adoption.

The National Trust was approached earlier this year by community members concerned about the

future of the Bendigo East Anzac Avenue, at the former Bendigo East State School on Strickland

Road. We understand that the application to subdivide was done so in good faith based on existing

planning controls, but as you will be aware, the reality is that heritage issues are often triggered by

the permit application process; in this case, a permit that seeks to break up this site for the first time.

The National Trust has reviewed the recommendations of the Planning Panel’s report, and we agree

with the Panel’s statement that:

Regardless of the fact that the number of original trees are diminished and some of them are

in poor condition, it seems to the Panel that the significance of these plantings to this site

have been down played and the ‘Anzac Avenue’ in its diminished form should be

acknowledged as part of the Heritage Overlay. While some of the trees may be identified as

dangerous, the place can be managed through replacing and managing the trees as

necessary.

The Panel also stated:

It is clear that the plantings that have become known as the ‘Anzac Avenue’ were undertaken

from the time that the school was built and opened. Whilst this occurred during the middle

of the war it was always the intention of the school committee to commemorate the

contribution of local servicemen.

The National Trust has undertaken some historical research into the origins of the Anzac Avenue.

From newspaper records, we know that the Bendigo East Anzac Avenue was planted on Arbor Day on

16 June 1916. Until now, the first WW1 Avenue planted in Victoria has been thought to be at Eurack

on 28 July 1916. On this basis, it is the National Trust’s position that the Bendigo East Avenue of

Honour is the first and oldest World War One memorial avenue in Victoria.

The newspaper records confirm that one of the trees was planted by Lieutenant Dyett himself, who

as you will know was to become Sir Dyett, National President of the Returned & Services League

(RSL) for 27 years from 1919 to 1946.

The National Trust has also received an independent arboricultural assessment of the trees in

question. We have been advised that although the four living trees do have some structural issues

after years without maintenance, three can be safely retained with some pruning works to address

the existing structural issues and extend their life. These trees are in good health, having high

retention value due to their historic significance. The arborist also recommends two stages of

planting to reinstate the Avenue to its former glory. Tree succession is a natural part of caring for all

Avenues of Honour, and the loss of some trees over the last 100 years in no way diminishes the

significance of a war memorial. It would be wonderful to see new saplings planted and new plaques

unveiled as the original trees see their centenary next year.

In light of the recommendations provided by the Panel and the Council officer, and the new

information regarding the significance of the Avenue, the National Trust strongly urges you to vote in

favour of the Officer’s recommendation.

RECOMMENDATION

That the Greater Bendigo City Council resolve to:

1. Adopt Greater Bendigo Planning Scheme Amendment C201 with changes recommended

in this report.

2. Inform VCAT at the upcoming hearing for permit DS/319/2014 - subdivision and removal

of native vegetation at the former East Bendigo Primary School, that Council no longer

supports the granting of a permit in light of the new information received from the Panel.

3. Forward the adopted Amendment to the Minister for Planning for Approval, together

with the prescribed information pursuant to Section 31(1) of the Planning and Environment

Act, 1987.

The Bendigo East Anzac Avenue is a precious war memorial, commemorating 27 Bendigo men that

served. Some made the ultimate sacrifice and others returned home wounded, blind or deaf from

being shot in the face. In a letter to the Education Department from the School Committee in 1920,

Mrs A.J. Hampson writes:

“the trees when planted were watered by the tears of the mothers”.

In this Anzac Centenary year, the National Trust urges you to act to protect the earliest known World

War One planting in Victoria.

If you require any further information, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly on 0409 091 907.

Yours sincerely,

Anna Foley

Acting Manager, Advocacy & Conservation