Approval ProcessThe nature strip is considered part of the road under the Road Management Act and Road Safety Act, so a number of safety and legislative requirements must be met before you commence any work.

The following steps need to be carried out prior to commencing work:

Step 1: Submit plan and application to Council/or VicRoadsAll proposed works should be shown on a plan and submitted along with the completed application (downloadable from www.bayside.vic.gov.au).

Step 2: Await approval from Council/or VicRoads

You should receive notification from Council within 15 business days of the outcome of your application.

Step 3: Commence works safely

Contact “Dial Before You Dig”, (freecall 1100) to locate any underground services before commencing any excavation to your nature strip.

If, during landscaping works, services are suspected of being damaged, the relevant utility provider and Council must be notified immediately.

Council will not be liable for any financial penalties that a resident incurs from damaging underground services.

Traffic Control and Public SafetyDuring landscaping works on the nature strip, the resident or their contractor is responsible for their safety and that of others.

While the landscape works are in progress the “work site” should be signed and barricaded to ensure public safety.

Where possible the footpath should remain open to pedestrian traffic.

Council can assist with advising you how to safely securely your site.

Nature strip Planting guidelines

Nature strip planning checklistObtain a free Dial before you Dig report to identify the presence of underground services in your nature strip. Call 1100 or type www.1100.com.au

Prepare a plan showing the proposed works including the location of all existing infrastructure and under-ground services

Submit the plan to Council along with the application form (downloadable from www.bayside.vic.gov.au)

You must be willing to cover all installation costs and labour

Ensure you have left adequate space for collection of rubbish and recycling bins and safe access for pedestrians

Discuss proposed nature strip amendments with neighbours, the landlord or body corporate

Bayside Community Nursery staff are available to discuss indigenous plants to suit your local environment and surrounding streetscape

When working near roads and traffic, the resident or their contractor is responsible for their safety and that of others

Your nature strip should be maintained in a neat and safe condition.

Corporate Centre

76 Royal Avenue, Sandringham Vic. 3191

Phone: 9599 4444

www.bayside.vic.gov.au

What is a Nature Strip?A nature strip is an area of land between the property boundary and the back of the kerb (or road shoulder), excluding any footpath or other asset such as driveways, power poles, utility pits or fire hydrants.

Nature strips are set aside to accommodate power poles, light poles and a range of underground services such as water, gas lines, storm water, sewage, telephone and, sometimes, electrical cables.

Nature strips are also important for traffic and pedestrian safety, as well as a place to put your bins and hard rubbish out for collection.

Planting RequirementsCouncil supports the greening and beautification of nature strips providing the requirements of these Nature Strip Guidelines are followed.

The following guidelines should be followed when planning your nature strip:

1. Use drought tolerant indigenous ground covers, shrubsand grasses available for purchase from BaysideCommunity Nursery or other indigenous plant nursery;

2. At least 500 mm from the back of kerb is kept clearto allow for people to enter and exit their vehicles andproperties safely;

3. Plantings on corner blocks within 9m of an intersectionare limited to ground cover plants only to ensure a clearline of sight for motorists;

4. Adequate space is provided for placing rubbish andrecycling bins for collection;

5. A minimum of 1.5 metres from the property line is keptclear to allow for pedestrian access, mail, paper andother deliveries; and

6. Plantings are kept pruned to a maximum height of600mm at all times.

The following gravels and mulches and are permitted:• Fine gravel mulches such as compacted washed

granitic sand or similar, or

• Pine or hardwood chips 12mm to 25mm in size.

Where a gravel or mulch is used on the nature strip:• it must remain on the nature strip and not allowed to

spill onto the footpath, driveways or in the kerb and channel;

• levels must not extend above the level of thefootpath or kerb; and

• it must be maintained in a weed free condition.

Items not permitted on the nature strip:• Synthetic turf

• Letterboxes

• Irrigation

• Rocks

• Items that obstruct the safe flow and vision ofpedestrians and traffic.

Footpath and designated clearway

Nature strip Road

Minimum 1.5 metre clear of property boundry Planting zone

Minimum 0.5 metre clearance from back of kerb for vehicle access and bin collection

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Typical nature strip