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.
In suburban streets, naturestrip planting is restricted to low ground cover plants which grow to a height of no more than 50cm high, and do not restrict pedestrian access or cause any public safety hazards. All species planted should be appropriate to the existing streetscape and should not be prickly, spiky or poisonous.
You cannot change your naturestrip without Council approval.
Changing your naturestrip
If you would like to plant additional street trees/low ground-cover plants on your naturestrip, you will need to apply to Council for approval and provide a plan of the proposed works.
In suburban streets, landscaping is restricted to planting additional street trees and/or low ground-cover plants that must not:
- block vehicle and pedestrian vision
- restrict pedestrian access
- cause any public safety hazards.
Please read our Things to consider prior to submitting your plans and commencing works.
How to apply
All proposed works should be described on a plan and submitted to Council for approval before starting the works.
Naturestrip plans
Your naturestrip plan must clearly show the following features:
- existing street trees (note: Council’s Tree Care Team will advise of any programmed street tree planting prior to approval)
- street furniture
- signage
- footpaths and utility services (i.e. electricity, water, sewage, stormwater drainage, gas and telecommunications, both overhead and underground)
- bin or hard waste locations
- the 900mm clearance from kerb and driveway edges to allow for vehicle doors to be opened and pedestrians to step out
- a 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). There shouldn’t be an intrusion onto any existing footpaths.
These features must be incorporated into the landscape design plan to show there is no interference and access is not restricted.
In some instances, neighbours will need to be contacted to inform them of the proposed works. Please read Things to consider before preparing your naturestrip plan and applying online.
Apply to change your naturestrip
Apply online - Naturestrip Planting Application
Things to consider