Nature strips

A nature strip is the piece of public land between the paved footpath and the kerb. A nature strip can be a grassed area or a footpath cut-out with a tree or plants.

Council Urban Forest Strategy 2017-27 (DOC 20Mb) aims to continually improve the street landscape in Merri-bek, including nature strips.

Maintaining your nature strip

It is the responsibility of residents to maintain the nature strip in front of their home to make sure that pedestrians have access to the entire width of a footpath.

This typically involves regular mowing, weeding, cutting the edges and picking up litter.

Contact Council if the level of your nature strip has dropped more than 40mm below the footpath height or is raised more than 50mm. Council investigates and reinstates nature strips upon request.

Upon request, Council will investigate and reinstate nature strips where the levels have dropped more than 40mm below the footpath height or are raised more than 50mm. Work to reinstate a nature strip is usually carried out in May, September or October to take advantage of cooler conditions which encourage grass growth.

Planting on your nature strip

Council is responsible for the selection, supply and maintenance of street trees which are planted on nature strips.

Council is happy to consider requests from residents who would like to plant native plants or vegetables on their nature strip as an alternative to turf grass.

Allowing residents to plant on their nature strips can foster a sense of ownership within the local community. The use of indigenous plants can enhance biodiversity and provide habitat for local insects and birds. This type of planting is particularly beneficial in areas close to local waterways and along nature corridors.

A well-designed ground-cover planting and mulch treatment can require less maintenance than traditional grassed nature strip plantings.

To help you decide what to plant on your nature strip, we suggest that you first read our Moreland Naturestrip Guidelines document (PDF 293Kb). These guidelines provide information on suitable plants, how to plant them and their maintenance.

Our Gardening with Indigenous Plants in Merri-bek (PDF 973Kb) and Sustainable Gardening also have information about planting on nature strips.

Contact Council to discuss your proposed plan. Applications to plant on a nature strip need to be submitted to Council. The application must contain a simple sketch plan that details the site including property boundaries, footpath and driveway, existing street tree, and proposed planting with species and location of plants.

Parking on a nature strip

Parking on a nature strip is illegal and can damage the water and gas supply lines, storm water pipes, and other services under the nature strip. It can also reduce visibility for drivers entering or exiting a driveway. See report illegal parking.