Naturestrip Planting Application

The naturestrip is the land between your property boundary and the road kerb. This land is managed by Council but residents and property owners are encouraged to care for their naturestrip area.

You cannot change your naturestrip without Council approval.

On this page

Can I plant on my naturestrip?

If you would like to plant low ground-cover plants on your naturestrip, you will need to apply to Council for approval and provide a plan of the proposed works.

To request a tree, please refer to Naturestrip trees

Planting restrictions

  • Planting is limited to low ground-cover species that are suitable to the existing streetscape.
  • Plants must not grow to a height of more than 50cm.
  • Vehicle and pedestrians must not be impacted.
  • Access for pedestrians must not be restricted.
  • Public safety hazards must be avoided.
  • Plants that are prickly, spiky, or poisonous are not allowed. 

Things to consider

Existing services within the naturestrip

It is the responsibility of the owner to locate all existing services prior to the commencement of works.

Contact ‘Dial before you dig’ on 1100 for location of existing service details. Or visit the Dial before you dig website for further information.

If services are suspected of being damaged during landscaping works, the relevant utility provider must be notified immediately for the purpose of public safety and to ensure early resumption of services. You will be responsible for any damage caused to the utility services by the works.

Maintenance

The ongoing maintenance of the naturestrip and landscaping will be the responsibility of the owner. If you sell your property, the landscaping is to be removed at owner’s cost unless the new purchaser agrees to the ongoing maintenance in writing.

Prohibited items

Sprinkler systems

The use of in ground sprinkler systems is discouraged to promote water conservation and overcome maintenance problems. Hand watering is the approved option for any planting on the naturestrip.

Hard landscaping

It is prohibited to:

  • use hard landscaping features, such as railway sleepers or rocks
  • construct letter boxes, gate entry pillars, raised garden beds or erect fences on the naturestrip
  • install synthetic grass
  • change soil levels, create mounds or excavate holes.

In special circumstances, i.e. stabilising embankments, the use of some hard landscaping features may be approved, but only if access to utility services is not affected.

Prohibited plants

Plant species which are known to cause problems due to invasive roots, sharp spikes or leaves, suckering growth habit, identified bushland invaders or allergic, poisonous or weed species will not be approved. Growing of fruits, vegetables or other consumables is prohibited.

Significant Roadside Areas

Certain streets or roads within the municipality have significant vegetation found within the naturestrip area and are classified as Significant Roadside Areas. Council maintains these Significant Roadside Areas to conserve the vegetation present. Landscaping of these areas will only be feasible if it contributes to the protection and enhancement of local vegetation present on the site. Contact Council’s Operations Team on 1300 88 22 33 to find out if your naturestrip falls under an Significant Roadside Area.

Water Sensitive Urban Design

Roads and streets within the municipality that include Water Sensitive Urban Design within the street landscape will include aspects of the naturestrip area.

The function of Water Sensitive Urban Design is to filter the pollutants from stormwater runoff before it enters our creeks and rivers. Council is responsible for the maintenance of these systems incorporated into the naturestrip within Maroondah. This vegetation cannot be removed or altered by adjoining property owners.

Contact Council on 1300 88 22 33 to find out if Water Sensitive Urban Design is incorporated into your naturestrip.

Tree protection zones

Trees require space to be left free of planting to protect their root zone (a tree protection zone).

The tree protection zone is calculated by measuring the diameter of the trunk at chest height and multiplying this number by 12 to determine the closest distance to the tree where planting is allowed.

For young trees, the minimum distance is two metres and for large trees the maximum distance is 15 metres. You can plant lawn or place mulch within the tree protection zone and any associated soil disturbance must be shallow to avoid damage to the trees root system. Any trees planted must be a minimum of 2.0m from existing vehicle crossovers.

Contact Council’s Operations Team on 1300 88 22 33 for more information on tree protection zones.

Public safety and access

Council’s requirements for public safety and access must be complied with. The landscaping should not interfere with public assets and the following should be considered:

  • the effect on neighbouring properties
  • access for people with disabilities
  • access for people with young children in prams or strollers
  • access to bus stops
  • access to letterboxes.

Infrastructure protection

All proposed works should consider the impact of the landscaping on the existing Council and utility services infrastructure. This includes potential damage to underground services by supporting tree stakes; the projected mature growth of trees; roots that may block drains and disrupt telecommunication services; tree branches that can interfere with street lights and overhead power lines or restrict roadside visibility and obstruct footpaths. The owner/occupier will be responsible for any damage caused to the infrastructure by the works.

Safety fencing and signage

If works are approved, once landscape work is in progress the work site should be signed and barricaded to ensure public safety. The site fence must not restrict access for pedestrians on the 1.5 metre pedestrian path.

Who has final say over the naturestrip?

Council and other public service providers retain the right to prune, modify or remove any landscaping at any time, without obligation, compensation or reinstatement to the owner/occupier to ensure the continuing provision of their services to the community.

If an owner/occupier alters the landscape to the extent that access to a utility or Council asset is difficult, the cost of any extra works to achieve both temporary and permanent access will be paid by the owner.

Apply

Online

Step 1.Prepare naturestrip plan

All proposed works must be described in a clear plan and submitted to Council for approval before beginning any work.

Your naturestrip plan must include:

  • Existing street trees (Council’s Tree Care Team will advise of any programmed street tree planting prior to approval)
  • Street furniture and signage
  • Footpaths and utility services (i.e. electricity, water, sewage, stormwater drainage, gas and telecommunications—both overhead and underground)
  • Locations for bins or hard waste collection
  • 900mm clearance from kerb and driveway edges to allow vehicle doors to open and for pedestrians access
  • Minimum footpath width of 1.8 metres, measured from the property boundary for either an existing footpath or future path (footpaths are constructed 30cm from the property boundary and are 1.5m wide when constructed). The proposal should not encroach on any existing footpaths.

Your design must show that none of these features will be obstructed and that access remains unrestricted.

Step 2.Neighbour consent

In some cases, you may need to obtain consent from neighbours or the owners corporation for the proposed works. For more information please contact Council on 1800 88 22 33.

Step 3.Submit application

Apply online

By email, in person or by mail

Step 1.Prepare naturestrip plan

All proposed works must be described in a clear plan and submitted to Council for approval before beginning any work.

Your naturestrip plan must include:

  • Existing street trees (Council’s Tree Care Team will advise of any programmed street tree planting prior to approval)
  • Street furniture and signage
  • Footpaths and utility services (i.e. electricity, water, sewage, stormwater drainage, gas and telecommunications—both overhead and underground)
  • Locations for bins or hard waste collection
  • 900mm clearance from kerb and driveway edges to allow vehicle doors to open and for pedestrians access
  • Minimum footpath width of 1.8 metres, measured from the property boundary for either an existing footpath or future path (footpaths are constructed 30cm from the property boundary and are 1.5m wide when constructed). The proposal should not encroach on any existing footpaths.

Your design must show that none of these features will be obstructed and that access remains unrestricted.

Step 2.Neighbour consent

In some cases, you may need to obtain consent from neighbours or the owners corporation for the proposed works. For more information please contact Council on 1800 88 22 33.

Step 3.Download and complete form

Naturestrip Planting Application(DOCX, 133KB)

Step 4.Submit the completed form and any supporting documents

Naturestrip trees

To help maintain Maroondah’s tree canopy, Council plants thousands of new naturestrip trees every year. 

 

Find out more

Indigenous flora and fauna

Indigenous plants occur naturally in an area and are adapted to the local conditions. Most are easy to care for - virtually maintenance free, requiring little or no watering under normal conditions.

 

Indigenous flora and fauna in Maroondah

 

Using indigenous plants in your garden

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