Nature Strip (Verge) Improvement
The Nature Strip (verge) is Crown land that is vested to the City for care, control and management. The City acknowledges the care residents take in maintaining nature strips and enhancing the appearance of the streetscape and their properties.
Where required, the City issues permits to property owners or developers to undertake improvements to the nature strip adjacent to their property. Proposed improvements should enhance and integrate with the local streetscape and/or greenway corridors. The City has developed a set of guidelines that detail when permits are required, and which permits should be obtained when required. In general, nature strip improvement proposals are required to:
- Retain any existing street trees;
- Provide a minimum offset of 2.0m to all trees and drainage structures and 1.0m to all posts or poles; and
- Not interfere with formal on-street parking.
Where modifications to the City’s infrastructure (including street trees) are proposed, this will only be approved in exceptional circumstances, where no other alternative is available. All costs for relocating or modifying City infrastructure are to be borne by the property owner/developer.
When conforming with the guidelines, no permit is required from the City for lawns, reticulation or low growing (<600mm in height) native gardens on nature strips. Applications are required for all other developments including:
- garden beds;
- shrubs;
- kerbing;
- paving/hardstand;
- retaining; and
- artificial grass installation.
Permits can be obtained by completing and submitting a Permit Application - Nature Strip Improvement form (see links below).
The objectives of the City's nature strip improvement guidelines and permits are to:
- protect all public assets within the road reserve;
- ensure the improvements contribute to creating an attractive and safe streetscape;
- ensure all costs are borne by the developer; and
- ensure compliance with all statutory and Council requirements.
Fees & Charges
- A fee for the approval of plans should be submitted with the permit application form.
Note: Fees differ between improvements to residential and commercial property nature strips.
- Some improvement and construction works may require a footpath and verge deposit to be held by the City to cover possible damage.
- For works that require an inspection, a non-refundable inspection fee is required.
The City's Fees and Charges can be found here.
Please note that payment of any applicable application deposits and inspection fees are required in advance of any works commencing.
Application
- Please complete the below application form
- Save your completed application form to your device (PC, laptop etc).
- Submit your completed application form along with plans by attaching it to this enquiry form
- A Technical Services Officer will then contact you if they require further information
Related Links:
City Policy Manual