Wildflower enthusiasts will be given the chance to recover specimens from the roadside before construction work begins on the Western Highway duplication between Buangor and Ararat.
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VicRoads and duplication project contractors CPB and Seymour Whyte have offered salvage native orchids and lilies before 12.5 kilomtres of extra lanes are constructed beside the highway.
Work on the project officially started on Thursday with a sod-turning ceremony.
VicRoads North Western project director Nigel Powers said environmentalists had requested the community have an opportunity to collect the native and orchids and lilies at Hillside Road, near Ararat.
“We understand from our Environmental Consultation Group that many people may be interested in these orchids and lilies, so we decided to run a field day to give community members an opportunity to collect as many as they would like for transplant,” he said.
Mr Powers said interested people needed to register to attend the event on Saturday, June 23.
They would then receive detailed instructions on the time, location and collection method.
“Due to traffic restrictions and for safety, the community must register with the project team to attend this event,” he said.
Hillside Road will be temporarily closed during the orchid salvage, however local traffic will still be able to use Hillside Road to access their properties.
Traffic control will be in place to assist motorists on the day.
To register, phone 8808 6010 or email enquiries@cpbswcjv.com.au.
