SEVERAL important pieces of Mildura’s history, including the original Chaffey fountain, will be retained and protected during works on the second stage of the Deakin Avenue centre median redevelopment, which began this week.
The $1 million suite of works, between Eighth and Ninth streets, aims to transform the centre median, continuing the design of the first stage of the redevelopment between Ninth and Tenth streets completed in 2018.
As part of the works, a wide pathway will run down the centre median, surrounded by new garden beds and landscaping.
Mildura Mayor Jason Modica said that section of Deakin Avenue’s centre median was home to several important pieces of Mildura’s history that would not be impacted by the works.
These include the King George seat, the Mildura rotunda and the Chaffey fountain at the Eighth Street end of the centre median.
The fountain is the original established by the Chaffey family in front of Rio Vista Historic House.
In another link to Deakin Avenue’s history, about 20 sugar gums will be planted, grown from the same seed stocks as those that originally stood in Deakin Avenue, dating back to the Chaffey brothers’ era.
They will replace the established sugar gums, which were removed in June 2019 due to the public safety risk posed by falling limbs.
This work was undertaken in consultation with Mildura and District Historical Society and Greening Mildura.
Cr Modica said the works would result in a modern, more attractive look to Mildura’s iconic main thoroughfare, while protecting important monuments representing the city’s history.
“The first stage of the Deakin Avenue centre median redevelopment has proven a resounding success, providing more amenity, increasing access and producing a more modern, attractive look to our city’s main street,” Cr Modica said.
“This second stage will continue the theme, as well as highlighting some of our city’s more recognisable historic monuments as part of the design.”
Work are expected to continue until September with intermittent impacts on Deakin Avenue traffic and pedestrian access during the works.
Drivers and pedestrians have been requested to take note of any signage in this area as part of the works.
