THE KONGWAK Community Group (KCG) have applied for and received State Government funding for stage one of their project to protect and improve the trees in Kongwak’s Avenue of Honour.
The grant will deliver $30,000 to KCG, through the State Government’s Restoring Community War Memorials and Avenues of Honour 2024-25 grant program.
The application was driven primarily by Damien Backholer, member of KCG and owner and director of the Kongwak Butter Factory.
What is thought-provoking about Mr Backholer, steering this particular application, is that part of the planning application for the Butter Factory initially involved a proposal to cut a road between tree numbers two and three of the Avenue of Honour that was planted in 2005.
“We objected to that strenuously, based on the idea that it would probably kill those trees and also that it was disrespectful to our war dead,” said one Kongwak local.
The proposal was subsequently rejected and the road was required to be moved to the end of the Avenue of Honour.
Nevertheless, stage one of the project reportedly seeks to undertake works to scope and develop reports and quotes to support stage two of the application.
Stage two of the project – which would be managed under a following funding round – seeks to improve tree health, inhibit parking under the trees, improve the honour rolls and potentially install explanatory panels, seating and undertake additional landscaping.
Ultimately, though, Mr Backholer said the money will go towards improving and protecting the trees and they do not endeavour to remove any from the Avenue.
“Unfortunately, we had an arborist report done recently, and some of the more significant trees are in fair to poor health. So (we’re) working with the arborist to look at what can be done to improve tree health.”
The KCG also want to stop people parking under the trees when the Kongwak Market is open, on Sundays, which often draws large crowds.
“So, looking into measures that can be taken to permanently restrict parking along there,” said Mr Backholer.
The group will be working with the South Gippsland Shire Council for the traffic engineering and design components of this, and approvals.
“It’s more than just putting up bollards. You need to get approval to do works like that, in what is actually the VicRoads, road reserve. So, there’ll be all the steps involved.”
The group has already sought a report from Heritage Consultant, David Helms, who also completed one for the Butter Factory.
“He will be engaged to guide us on what can be done; and there’ll also importantly, be engagement with local historians, or those that understand the history of the trees, descendants of individuals that the trees represent, and those named on the honour rolls, and also the broader Kongwak community,” said Mr Backholer.
KCG will also seek to make improvements to the honour rolls for the two Avenues of Honour, telling the story of the history and the fallen soldiers that the trees represent through panels with added seating and landscaping for people to enjoy the Avenue.
KCG have until September of next year to complete stage one and according to Damien they plans to work in and with the government timelines for stage two funding and subsequent grant applications.
