Botanic Gardens - Elm Ave Redevelopment

The Albury Botanic Gardens Master Plan 2022-2042 [26.36 MB | PDF] was endorsed by Council in June 2022. One of its main priority projects is to replace the declining elm trees that make up Elm Avenue and create a new double perennial border, which will be one of the longest in Australia.

About this project

Elm Avenue is an iconic and much-loved site in the Albury Botanic Gardens. Unfortunately, the trees, some of which are over 140 years old, are in serious decline and at the end of their useful life. Independent arborist reports have indicated that "all trees have fair health and poor structure" and need to be removed.

To address this issue, the trees will be replaced with more resilient species. The council has developed a plan to replace the elms with advanced ginkgo trees, which are more climate resilient and still display incredible yellow autumn color, ensuring the avenue remains a beautiful and cherished part of the gardens.

• Why are the elm trees being replaced keyboard_arrow_right

  A total of 24 trees along the northern boundary of the Albury Botanic Gardens were assessed, revealing that they are in 'Good' to 'Fair' health but have 'Fair' to 'Poor' structure. The southern row of trees is generally in better condition than the northern row. Poor pruning practices in the past have led to a reduction in the Useful Life Expectancy (ULE) of the trees.

  As part of their natural lifecycle, these trees, around 140 years old, are now in the senescence phase, indicating a decline in health post-maturity. Consequently, many trees within Elm Avenue are nearing the end of their lifespan and will need removal in the short to medium term.

  Based on the advice received, the council has developed a strategy for the removal and replacement of these trees, considering their historical and social significance.

  Independent Arborists Report - February 2022 [3.52 MB | PDF]

  Independent Arborists Report - November 2023 [5.24 MB | PDF]

• The plan to replace the elm trees with ginkgo trees keyboard_arrow_right

  It is proposed to replace the elm trees with an avenue of advanced ginkgo trees, which are more climate resilient than elms, but which still display incredible yellow autumn colour. The plan also includes the establishment of a new double perennial border beneath the trees, which will be one of the longest in Australia and will be in keeping with the heritage value of the Botanic Gardens.

  The project aligns with Action 4 of the Botanic Gardens Master Plan:

  Action 4
  Replace the elms to secure The Avenue’s long-term place in the landscape:

  • Undertake detailed design of the new Ginkgo Avenue and Perennial Border to allow replacement plants to be secured.
  • Undertake a community engagement program to educate the community about the need for the trees’ replacement, what is being done to secure the site and work to address people’s concerns.
  • Undertake removal and replacement works, timing works for an early spring planting for optimal plant success.

  - Extract from the Botanic Gardens Master Plan

  Albury Botanic Gardens - The Avenue Landscape Concept Design - April 2024 [6.85 MB | PDF]

  Albury Botanic Gardens Master Plan - June 2022 [26.36 MB | PDF]

• Revised concept designs of The Avenue keyboard_arrow_right

• Stage 1 - Site establishment and tree removal works keyboard_arrow_right
  • Closure of Wodonga Place/Dean Street Gate and Dean Street Pedestrian Bridge
  • Site establishment and security fencing
  • Service location
  • Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) identification and mark out
  • Existing hard works and furniture removal
  • Traffic Management Plan (Vehicles and Pedestrians)
  • Tree removal (As per Homewood Consulting Arboriculture Report)
• Stage 2 - Hard and soft landscaping works keyboard_arrow_right
  • Traffic Management Plan (Vehicles and Pedestrians)
  • Closure of Wodonga Place/Dean Street Gate and Dean Street Pedestrian Bridge
  • Bulk earth works
  • Re seal rear of exiting drainage wall

  • Drainage
  • Electrical and lighting
  • Garden bed construction and installation
  • Root barrier installation
  • Irrigation
  • Path construction
  • Hard works
  • Fencing
  • Irrigation
  • Tree planting
  • Site remediation
  • Turf Remediation
  • Remove security fencing
  • Re open gardens
• Stage 3 - Perennial and shrub planting keyboard_arrow_right
  • Perennial and shrub planting
  • Garden bed mulching
  • Site clean up

Project Updates

7 November 2025

Contractor has demobilised with all the hard landscaping complete. Perennial plantings continue with bark being placed on the drain side of The Avenue.

31 October 2025

The hard landscape works are in the final stages while the perennial plantings are well underway. The Rotary seat constructed, and the bee hotels have been installed.

10 October 2025

The Ginko trees have been planted. Fencing erected along the drain while garden beds are taking shape with the installation of steel edging and paved areas.

5 September 2025

Exciting milestone for the project has occurred this week with the planting of the first replacement Ginkgo’s.

Key progress highlights include:

• Completion of footings for the new fence along the drain
• Installation of drainage and electrical infrastructure
• Commencement of irrigation and steel edging installation
• Completion of bulk earthworks

22 July 2025

Stage 2 works for the Elm Avenue Redevelopment has commenced. This stage will focus on the hard and soft landscape elements of the project, with completion anticipated by late 2026. Construction will be managed to minimise disruption to visitors, with clear signage in place to keep the community informed throughout the process.

14 July 2025

Contractors have commenced Stage 2 Landscaping works.

28 March 2025

Site establishment and tree removal stage is now complete. The procurement for stage two works (hard and soft landscaping works) is underway with on ground works scheduled to commence early in the second half of 2025.

24 March 2025

21 March 2025

12 March 2025

Work on the Elm Avenue Redevelopment is resuming this week following Gardenesque. We will be removing the remaining tree canopies prior to the removal of the main truck and root plates. The temporary fencing has been realigned to the work zone extent with the gate at the corner of Dean Street and Wodonga Place closed.  Other Botanic Gardens entry gates remain open.

28 February 2025

Arborists have completed trimming the tree canopies to approximately five metres. This is an interim measure to allow the Gardenesque event to run smoothly. Following Gardenesque, arborists will return to cut the remaining trunks to a height of two meters, enabling the mechanical removal of the trunk and root plates.

21 February 2025

An ecologist has begun the relocation of fauna (possums) from the trees this week as outlined in the guidelines of the approved Fauna Management Plan. Arborists have commenced trimming the tree canopies to reduce the height to allow mechanical removal of the trunks and root plates.

10 February 2025

A follow up chemical treatment of the trees has been undertaken.  An ecologist will commence the fauna salvage process soon. This will be in accordance with the methods and conditions outlined in the approved Fauna Management Plan. Once complete, the tree canopies will be removed and the trunk's left to a height of approximately two metres. This will allow the mechanical removal of the trunk and root plate of the trees. Any suitable timber will be salvaged and repurposed.

19 December 2024

Temporary fencing has been erected. Chemical treatment of the elm trees is complete.

10 May 2024

Refined concept designs [6.85 MB | PDF] have been developed by GbLA which provide more details of The Avenue and the planting palette.

16 February 2024

Consultants have been engaged to progress the detailed design of replacing the avenue of elms with ginkgoes and associated landscaping.