Merchant St face lift

Victoria Harbour had some new landscaping last month, courtesy of Lend Lease and VicUrban.

Lend Lease has removed the elm trees that previously lined Merchant St, opting to replace them with evergreen fig trees.

A Lend Lease spokesperson said the improvements came partly at the request of Merchant St retailers.

“Shopkeepers have complained about the leaves falling off the (elm) trees, so we’re replacing them with trees that will look fuller,” the spokesperson said.

Areas along the street composed of granitic sand are in the process of being replaced by paving stones.

Nearby Victoria Green has been returfed and some of the trees in the park were replaced due to damage caused by the drought.