The Minister for Planning has approved Amendment C56alpi to the Alpine Planning Scheme, which seeks to apply the Heritage Overlay to the avenue of trees on the Great Alpine Road in Bright.
The Amendment came into operation on Wednesday, 11 February 2026.
The Heritage Overlay applies to the part of the avenue with Pin Oaks, Dutch Elms, and Scarlet Oaks along the Great Alpine Road at the western gateway to Bright.
Alpine Shire Mayor, Cr Sarah Nicholas, explained that a Heritage Overlay is a planning control that is applied to land that is deemed to have heritage significance.
"The Minister of Planning has recognised that the avenue of trees along the Great Alpine Road has historical, representative, and social significance to Bright and many of its residents and visitors," she said.
"With this Heritage Overlay, the integrity of the avenue will be considered for all future developments during their lifespan."
Cr Nicholas noted that the Heritage Overlay will only apply to future developments and will not apply to past or present developments.
"In 2025, a planning permit was granted for the removal of two mature trees and the relocation of three smaller trees," she said.
"These works have since been completed and provide access to the Bright Valley residential development.
"The Heritage Overlay now applies to all other trees, which will assist in preserving the continued integrity of the avenue."
Cr Nicholas also thanked the community for alerting Council to the significance of the avenue of trees in 2023.
"This is a truly positive example of community and Council working together to balance the desires of our people with the strategic growth of our region now and into the future," she said.
"When we work together, we can preserve the integrity of our townships whilst looking towards an inclusive and future-focused Alpine Shire."
For more information about the approval of Amendment C56alpi, visit https://planning-schemes.app.planning.vic.gov.au/All%20schemes/amendments/C56alpi?schemeCode=alpi