Cowra Shire Council voted this week to hand over care of the avenue which in the past had been a duty of the council.

General manager James Roncon said that while donations for trees to be planted in the avenue would still come to the Council in the first instance, care of the avenue would become a function of the Japanese Garden.

“There has been a long standing arrangement that has seen donors contribute $1000 to have a tree planted along the avenue and in theory at least this money was to pay for the tree, its planting, provision of a plaque and ongoing maintenance.

Under the new arrangement Mr Roncon said future donations would be paid to the Council which would then forward $600 to the Japanese garden to cover the costs associated with establishing each tree and general ongoing maintenance.

“The balance of $400 per tree would then be placed in a Foundation account as a backup maintenance fund,” Mr Roncon said.

Council currently has $35,000 in a reserve account from avenue donations.

Mr Roncon said this money would go towards planting 110 trees which were either missing or had to be planted in Cherry Tree Avenue.

A Cherry Tree Avenue Foundation

consisting of two representatives of the Japanese Garden, two representatives from Cowra Shire Council and a member of the public will be formed to administer the

project.

Cowra Shire Council will remain responsible for maintaining the existing water

supply to the trees and regular mowing along each side of the avenue.