Meet the Project Team
Two informations sessions were held at Wurriki Nyal (Civic Precinct), 137-149 Mercer Street, Geelong on the following dates
- Thursday 16 May, 10.00-11.00am
- Wednesday 22 May, 5.30-6.30pm
The key themes we heard through consultation have been summarised as follows:
Biodiversity and strengthening the reason behind the development of the guidelines have been addressed with the guidelines now speaking more about the benefits nature strip gardens offer community wellbeing and biodiversity value.
You told us the draft guidelines were a little unclear with respect to growth zones and when and where certain planting was acceptable. We have adjusted the diagrams to take into consideration this feedback and the guidelines now provide greater clarity for our budding gardeners. We have also moved from two growth zones to three growth zones and a revised maximum height limit of 800mm, instead of the initial 500mm limit in the draft guidelines.
We acknowledge the desire of many respondents wanting to see synthetic turf banned. This feedback has considered, and synthetic turf CAN be used within commercial/industrial zones only, but now CANNOT be used in residential areas.
We have made it easier to register for a City of Greater Geelong nature strip tree. The new guidelines include a QR code which links to the relevant information.
Taking on feedback that community want additional help and guidance to establish a nature strip garden, the City's Environmental Sustainability Team will develop a Nature Strip Preparation and Maintenance Guide which will offer all the tips and tricks for a successful garden. Follow this page to be alerted when this document is finalised in 2025.
With respect to queries relating to liability, we have retained this reference within the guidelines to ensure transparency was afforded to those in our community who choose to grow edible plants within the nature strip.
Feedback period opened Monday 29 April, 2024.
Feedback period closed 5pm Sunday 9 June, 2024
Nature strips play an important role in the aesthetic, environmental and social health of
our municipality. As well as being a buffer between pedestrians and vehicle traffic, they can
also add to the character of streetscapes by creating space for street trees and vegetation.
The City regularly receives requests and questions from residents and businesses for permission to plant within a nature strip. We need to make sure our nature strips are safe and that risks to people, assets and property are minimised. We balance this with the community's need and desire for greener spaces. These guidelines provide an overview of how we manage that balance by explaining what can and can't be added to nature strips.
The draft guidelines have been created to provide clear direction and suitable options for those interested in developing nature strip gardens alongside City-managed local roads.
These guidelines will help interested community members understand what is possible, and also consider the safety and legal factors associated with creating a garden in a public space. It will assist community members to plan, prepare and create the most successful garden they can.
We’ve heard from the community and stakeholders that the current nature strip guidelines no longer reflect the desire of the community. As part of the review, we identified three key opportunity areas:
The current guidelines have been updated to incorporate these themes.
Feedback has now closed.
We are now seeking community input to better understand how our draft guidelines can be improved, enabling us to support our community in the development and maintenance of nature strip gardens.
Please provide your feedback via our online survey below or request a hard copy by contacting the officer listed in the Contact Us section of this page or by visiting a Customer Service centre.
We recommend you read the draft Nature Strip Guidelines prior to leaving your feedback.
This engagement closed on Sunday 9 June, 2024.
Two informations sessions were held at Wurriki Nyal (Civic Precinct), 137-149 Mercer Street, Geelong on the following dates
In Victoria, the term 'nature strip' means a strip of lawn that runs between the roadway and the footpath. In other parts of Australia this area is known as a 'verge'.
We own the nature strip but residents and landowners are responsible for maintaining it. The resident or landowner must ensure that the nature strip is in a safe and tidy condition.
The resident or landowner is responsible for maintaining the nature strip, including weeding, mowing and removing rubbish, fallen leaves, sticks and tree bark.
Street trees are planted and owned by the City. These trees have been planted to shade and cool our streets for the entire community. Please be careful when establishing a nature strip garden around a street tree and minimise any damage to the tree or its roots. If you have any concerns in relation to a street tree please contact our Tree Management team on 5272 5272.
Please submit a request for tree planting on your nature strip or in your street via our website or call customer service on 5272 5272.
Road Rules Victoria prohibits vehicles parking on the nature strip unless parking control signs are installed permitting the parking or the local road authority gives permission. Nature strip includes any grassed or landscaped area in the road reserve.
Any part of the public highway not set aside for vehicles is covered by the footway parking ban. This includes grass verges, central reservations, ramps linking private property to the road and pedestrian crossings.
Paths, nature strips and dividing strips are not constructed for vehicle parking. Parking on them can damage the nature strip surface, trees and root systems, kerb and channel, paths, house drain connections and other underground services.We are responsible for maintaining local roads. Regional Roads Victoria is responsible for main roads, highways and bridges. A list of roads managed by Regional Roads Victoria is published on our Roads and responsible authorities webpage.
Edible and fruit bearing plants are permitted as long as they fit within the requirements for approved plantings, please refer to page 21 for considerations. We recommend you undertake soil testing of the nature strip to identify pollutants and suitability before growing edible plants.
Nature Strips often contain services above and below ground, such as electricity, water, sewer and telecommunications cables. You should therefore request a Dial Before You Dig report before you break ground. Find out more at www.1100.com.au.
If your nature strip has a service cabinet, fireplug, utility service pit or pole, a bus stop pole, or even a letterbox, you need to leave appropriate clearances around these services (refer images on pages 16-17).
Have questions or want to learn more about a project, contact us below:
Phone | 03 5272 5272 |
---|---|
Website | www.geelongaustralia.com.au/contact/ |
The National Relay Service is available as a phone solution for people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment.
We Acknowledge the Wadawurrung People as the Traditional Owners of the Land, Waterways and Skies. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We Acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are part of our Greater Geelong community today.
This site is owned and operated by City of Greater Geelong using software licensed from Social Pinpoint. For details on how the City of Greater Geelong (City) collects and protects your personal information refer to the City’s Privacy Policy. For details of how Social Pinpoint may access personal information, Please refer to Social Pinpoint’s Privacy Policy.
In order to gain a deeper understanding of the data
provided to the City and improve our services to you, we may disclose the
information you provide to us to AWS Comprehend and Converlens Pty Ltd which
carry out analysis of the data. Your personal information may be disclosed to
AWS Comprehend and Converlens Pty Ltd based in Australia only in relation to the
primary purpose of collection. View this link for AWS Comprehend’s
Data Privacy statement and Converlens Pty Ltd Data Privacy statement .
Terms of Use
The following Terms of Use (“Terms”) govern the use of Have Your Say (“site”). The software platform is owned by Social Pinpoint Pty Ltd and operated by us, City of Greater Geelong (“City”).
By accessing or using the site, you are choosing to agree to the Terms, the Privacy Policy and Moderation Policy. If you disagree with any of these Terms, you must stop using the site immediately.
If you are under 18 years old, you must not use the site unless your parent or guardian understands and has accepted these Terms (including the Privacy Policy and Moderation Policy) and allows you to use the site.
Third party websites
The site may contain links to third party websites not managed by the City. Those sites are not within the City’s control and may not adhere to the same privacy, security, or accessibility standards as the City. The City accepts no responsibility for the content or availability of those sites, or for any associated partners or advertisers. Any link to an external website is provided for information and convenience purposes only.
Use of your account
While using the site, you must comply with all applicable laws.
When you create an account for the site, you must always provide us with accurate information. Failure to do so may result in immediate termination of your account .
You must protect your password for the site, and you are responsible for any activity performed using that password. You must immediately report any unauthorised use of your password or account to us. In some cases, we or our agents may require access to your user accounts to respond to technical issues.
To create and maintain a productive and safe online environment where users can participate in consultation topics, or communicate with each other, without feeling intimidated, any content you post is subject to our Moderation Policy. You should be aware that your posts may remain online indefinitely.
You understand and agree that:
Can your account be suspended or terminated?
We may terminate or suspend your access to the site and/or your account immediately, without prior notice, including without limitation if you breach the Terms. We may immediately deactivate or delete your account and all the related files and information in your account. After your account has been terminated, the content you have posted may remain indefinitely on the site.
If you want to terminate your own account, please send an email to engagement@geelongcity.vic.gov.au.
What content do we own?
This website contains proprietary information and/or material that is subject to copyright, trademark, or patent (“Intellectual Property”), including text, software, source code, pages, documents and online graphics, photographs, sounds, audio, video and other interactive features. All Intellectual Property in the content of the site is owned by or licensed to the City.
Except for Intellectual Property which is in the public domain or for which you have been given written permission, you must not copy, alter, transmit, sell, or distribute any of the Intellectual Property on this site.
License for content you contribute
You grant the City of Greater Geelong and the public a licence to use any content that you submit or post on the site under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 Australian License.
Indemnity
You agree to indemnify and hold the City, its officers, employees and agents harmless against any loss, liability, claims or expenses (including legal costs), suffered by or made against the City, its officers, employees or agents by any third party due to or arising out of or in connection with your use of the site.
Disclaimer
The City does not endorse the comments or opinions of users of the site, and is not responsible for any statement by any third party.
You agree that you use the site entirely at your own risk. The City makes no representation regarding the accuracy or authenticity of the content of the site, or regarding the site’s availability. Nothing contained within the site constitutes professional advice. The City accepts no liability in relation to the use of, or reliance upon, any content. All persons using or relying upon any content do so at their own risk, and accept sole responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of that content.
If you download any material through the site, you do so at your own risk, and the City is not liable for any damage to your computer system or loss of data.
You agree that the City, its officers, agents, licensors and other partners are not liable for any loss, liability, claim, or demand, including legal fees, arising from or in connection with your use of the site.
What happens if these Terms change?
The City reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to modify or replace these Terms at any time without notice. The most recent version of the Terms can be seen on this page. By continuing to access or use our site after those revisions become effective, you agree and will comply to the revised terms. If you do not agree to the revised terms, please discontinue using our site.
Governing Law
These Terms shall be governed in accordance with the laws of Victoria, Australia, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at engagement@geelongcity.vic.gov.au.
Enter your email address below. We will send you instructions to reset your password.
Back to Log in
Creating an account helps us better understand your needs and the needs of the community.
Already have an account? Log in now
Thank you, your account has been created.
Completing the questions below allows us to tailor your notifications to your areas of interest. The questions are optional. Your privacy is important to the City, this information is only used for internal purposes.
You’re using an outdated browser.
Some features of this website may not work correctly. To get a better experience we strongly recommend you download a new browser for free:
Would you like to follow this project to receive email updates?