Nature strips
Nature strips are part of Nillumbik's Green Wedge environment. They complement the neighbourhood’s natural setting and are public land, not part of a residential property.
Looking after your nature strip
It is accepted practice that residents maintain the nature strip(s) abutting their property as an extension of their garden, with the exception of street trees which are maintained by Council.
Residents must not remove, lop or destroy any vegetation on nature strips or rural road reserves without permission from Council.
Landscaping or planting on your nature strip or roadside
If you want to landscape or plant on your nature strip or roadside, you will need to seek written permission from Council by applying for an infrastructure works permit. For more information, see working in the road reserve.
When applying for a permit, make sure to include a map of the area that you would like to plant as well as a list of species.
The work must meet the following guidelines:
- Only plants listed in the Nillumbik publication Live Local Plant Local(PDF, 5MB) can be used in the approved landscaping.
- An appropriate compactable crushed rock/gravel, such as Lilydale toppings or similar, is acceptable. This treatment is designed to minimise maintenance and is considered a drought resistant alternative to grass. This is not a formal parking area and Local Laws still apply.
- All landscaping is to finish 800mm from the back of the kerb and, on the other side, must not encroach onto the footpath.
- Where there is no constructed footpath, a clearing of 1.2m width from the property line into the road reserve is required for potential pedestrian usage.
- Plants must not exceed a mature height of 500mm to allow uninterrupted vehicle and pedestrian viewing.
- Items such as rocks, logs and sleepers must not be used in landscaping on the nature strip or roadside.
- Garden stakes or star pickets must not be used as temporary fencing or as a parking deterrent on your nature strip or roadside.
- On roadsides, tree guards and stakes can be used to protect plants while they are establishing.
- You must not install pavers or concrete or construct stone walls or similar on the nature strip or roadside.
- You must not prune or remove a street tree on a nature strip without Council approval.
If you would like to plant on your nature strip but aren't sure where to start, contact environment@nillumbik.vic.gov.au for support.
Request a street tree on your nature strip
As part of our goal to expand the urban tree canopy, we encourage residents to request a street tree on their nature strip if there is not currently one planted.
Find out more and complete our online form to request a street tree on your nature strip.
Storing materials or parking on the nature strip
You are not allowed to park on or store any type of vehicle or trailer or building materials on nature strips, as per Council's Local Laws.
Rubbish on the nature strip
If you see hard waste or rubbish dumped on the footpath or nature strip you can Report dumped rubbish.
Removing vegetation from your nature strip
If you want to remove any vegetation from your nature strip, you may need to apply for a permit depending on the type of vegetation you wish to remove. Find out more about applying for a permit to remove vegetation from Council land.