By JESSE GRAHAM
THE REVITALISATION of Yarra Glen’s Main Street has continued unabated, with thousands of trees being planted as part of the Yarra Ranges Council’s Embrace Our Street program.
The program, which began with community discussions and online forums last year, has resulted in around 7000 plants being planted along Bell Street and the railway precinct in its current stage.
Yarra Glen Chamber of Commerce president Alex Lagerwey said the planting had been co-ordinated through the main street of the town, which had 23 English oak trees planted in July.
The tree planting, which also included understorey vegetation removal and the installation of public toilet signage, was part of the first stages of the program.
Mr Lagerwey said the most exciting phases of the Embrace Our Street program were yet to come, with way-finding signage being erected around town in the near future.
“The planning for that is well underway,” he said.
“Optimistically, we might get something before Christmas – otherwise, it may be early in the new year.”
The way-finding signs will point visitors to key landmarks in the town, but Mr Lagerwey said the matter of which areas to be included was still under discussion.
He said, ultimately, the Embrace Our Street program would help Yarra Glen to look more aesthetically pleasing to residents and visitors.
The next stages of the works will be the introduction of way-finding signs, further plantings and eventually, an upgrade to the streetscapes of Yarra Glen.
The ideas for the program were discussed and formulated last year through online forums and community discussion with the Yarra Ranges Council’s senior urban designer Nathan Milesi.
For more information about the works taking place in Yarra Glen, visit www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au or call 1300 368 333.
