Planting on Nature Strip Guidelines

Planted nature strip, Bruce St. Mount Waverley.

20/11/2014

1. Scope of this guideline

Nature strips are an important part of the environment and amenity of Monash. This guideline aims to provide guidance and information for residents and property owners in the City of Monash while ensuring the safety of the community and the environment.

This guideline provides information as follows:

· Definition and purpose of the nature strip

· Responsibility of the Council and civic duty of maintenance

· Access and safety issues within the nature strip

· Options for planting on the nature strip

· The procedure for obtaining a nature strip planting permit

· A reference list of recommended plants

This guideline does not apply to nature strips under the principle of water sensitive urban design, such as rain gardens which are managed on an individual basis.

This guideline does not cover traffic management responsibilities. A person conducting works in any road reservation must have a traffic management plan in operation to provide adequate safety precautions for all traffic and pedestrians, in accordance with the Road Management Act 2004 - Worksite Safety - Code of Practice. For more information, contact Customer Service on (03) 9518 3555.

2. What is a nature strip?

2.1 Definition

A nature strip is an area of public land between the property boundary and the back of kerb, excluding any public pavement. In most cases a nature strip is grassed, but in the circumstances provided for in these guidelines, it can be modified by an alternative landscape treatment.

2.2 Purpose

Nature strips have a variety of uses as a functional part of the urban environment. They provide a place for service assets, such as gas, telephone and water supply pipes, electricity and public lighting poles and underground services.

Service personnel, including postal staff or service maintenance staff, also require access.

The area generally offers a location for the collection of garbage, recycling and green waste bins, as well as hard rubbish.

Nature strip areas can also provide for open and safe access for pedestrians, prams or wheelchairs from motor vehicles and public transport. They also allow extra visibility for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians at intersections, driveways and around curves.

2.3 Benefits

Nature strips provide various community and environmental benefits. Unpaved nature strips absorb rainwater to add to the ground water table, improving the health of soil and trees. During rainfall events, open areas reduce the volume of stormwater runoff and the amount of pollution flowing into our waterways. The natural setting also provides habitat for fauna as well as providing a buffer from hard surfaces.

Nature strip plantings can help cool the surrounding area during the hot summer seasons. They reduce the amount of radiated heat, while providing shade and reflecting heat. Natural surfaces do not get as hot as hard surfaces. Nature strips visually soften the effect of the harder surfaces of road, footpath and driveway paving, fences and buildings.

A well-maintained streetscape offers an economic benefit to business and property owners, as well as allowing some level of individual expression. Nature strips complement natural settings of neighborhoods and allow for healthier urban landscapes.

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3. Who is responsible for nature strip maintenance?

The nature strip, while part of the road reserve, can add to the appearance of the private property. Property owners, as part of their civic duty, are strongly encouraged to maintain the nature strip through regular mowing and removal of litter. So as to not unfairly impact adjoining owners and detract from the general character of the street, everyone should do their part. Council is required to provide a safe environment in response to any public safety issues and risks. However, it is not obligated to renovate or beautify nature strips, if nature strips are damaged or altered from:

· Building work - it is the property owner or builder’s responsibility to restore.

· Service authority work, including water, gas, electricity or telecommunication utilities - it is the service authority’s responsibility to repair the damage. However, they are not required to restore to original condition, but only to reinstate the nature strip with topsoil and grass seed. Establishment of grass requires little maintenance, although if trying to be undertaken during hotter months, requires some watering (subject to the current water restriction in force) by the property owner to assist germination.

· Significant change of level in respect to the kerb - Council will inspect and may carry out minor repair if this poses a safety concern.

4. What to consider when planting on nature strips

4.1 Access

Council and service authorities reserve the right to access existing and future assets (underground or above-ground). Nature strip disturbance from service work will be reinstated with topsoil and grass seed only and plants not replaced.

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Residents must bear the cost of establishment, maintenance, renewal of the area and plants, and any reinstatement if so desired or directed. If the property owner would like to reinstate to the original condition, the cost of work is the responsibility of the property owner. Council reserves the right to remove or ask the property owner to remove any unsuitable, inappropriate plant or work.

Any plantings on nature strips must provide enough flat space for weekly waste collection bins, which include general waste, recycling, and green waste, as well as hard rubbish.

Access for safe entry and exit from motor vehicle and service personnel should not be obstructed from any modifications, as well as fire hydrant where existing.

Any service authority surface infrastructure, including fire hydrants/plugs, valve covers, manholes, etc, must remain visible and accessible.

4.2 Risk and Safety

· Modifications of nature strips should provide clear visibility for traffic and be maintained in a safe manner for the community at all times.

· Any planting or work should not be in conflict with any local law, regulation or other legislation.

· Materials on nature strips should not pose any danger to motorists as a projectile, tripping hazard for pedestrians or for those alighting from a vehicle, nor pollute stormwater drainage.

· Grass on nature strips should be maintained below 20cm in height, although desirably at approximately 4cm in height, to encourage healthy and safe environment.

· Plants on nature strips (other than street trees) must be below 50 cm in height to provide clear visibility for motorists and pedestrians, especially children, to avoid accidents.

· Plants should not be prickly, spiky or poisonous (e.g. nightshade, roses).

· Plants should be avoided if they are likely to cause environmental issues in creeks and waterways.

· Hard objects such as garden edges, stakes, logs, sleepers, river pebbles, timbers, stones and rocks are not to be used. Medium to large shrubs and trees are not to be planted, unless specifically permitted by Council.

· It is advisable to take into account neighbour mobility issues and gardening or mowing habits. Any concerns should be discussed with adjoining neighbours before applying for a permit.

· If granitic sand is used, it must be part of a stable garden bed so as not to flow or block stormwater during rainfall events. Any inappropriate silting or deposit of material must be removed at the cost of the owner.

· If mulch is used, the property owner must ensure any mulch spreading across the path (or into the kerb and channel) is promptly removed. This is commonly caused by birds scratching through the mulch in search of food.

· Laying concrete or brick paving is not permitted as it may encourage car parking on the nature strip, which is against traffic regulation laws. Paving can also create tripping hazards if they crack or disjoint due to street tree roots and soil subsidence.

· Footpaths are not to be modified in any way.

· Plantings shall not impact the use of street furniture (including seats, signs and poles).

· Any damaged nature strips that are not part of the landscaped area shall be filled with approved clean topsoil to a depth of 75mm, and the area re-sown with suitable grass seed.

· Works conducted in any road reservation must have a traffic management plan in operation, see ‘traffic management responsibilities’ under Section 1 Scope of these Guideline.

5. What options are there for planting nature strips?

Generally, nature strips are grassed with street trees planted in the centre. There are several options available to property owners.

Council allows modification of nature strips under the following conditions:

· A permit is required to undertake or modify planting of nature strips (See section 7: How do I obtain approval?).

· Plant selection should comply with Council’s principle vegetation theme of being indigenous (See Appendix A). Please note that Appendix A is a guide only, and other suitable plants can achieve desirable outcomes.

· A minimum footpath width of 1.4 metres is to be maintained. There shall be no intrusion onto any existing footpaths.

· Approved planting must be maintained under 0.5 metres.

· Ground level of nature strips, including soil and mulch, is not to be above or below more than 40mm relative to the level of the adjoining footpath or kerb.

· Street trees are not to be altered or removed or their root system damaged.

· Irrigation systems or private lighting systems are not to be installed.

· The most commonly accepted nature strip is grassed and regularly mown. This ensures easy maintainance by owners or service authorities following their works.

· Any work carried out on nature strip must be kept safe at all times.

Prior to planting a nature strip, residents are encouraged to utilise garden space within their property boundary where they have greater control and flexibility.

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* Please note that Buffalo grass cannot be grown from seed – it is only available as pre-grown turf or runners.

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Option 2 Approved Planting

Another alternative is to plant and mulch nature strips, which can add a visually pleasing effect when well maintained. Planting must be maintained by property owners according to the guideline diagram below:

5.1 Nature Strip Options

Option 1 Warm Season Grass

This option requires less maintenance and cost, and is compatible with other public lands. The owner is responsible if the area is reinstated by others with alternative species. Suggested warm season grass species are couch, kikuyu and buffalo, which are available in local nurseries.

· Most suitable plants are native and indigenous wildflowers, ground covers and low growing shrubs (see Appendix A for suggested plants). These plants often require little maintenance or water use while effectively competing with weeds. For more information on alternative planting options and local nurseries, see the Sustainable Living Guide on the Monash Council webpage.

ͳ Environmental weeds that endanger biodiversity must not be planted (see Appendix B for list of plants to avoid). They are invasive and out-compete native plants, and cause problems in waterways.

ͳ Property owners are not allowed to plant edible plants like vegetables, herbs or fruit crops on nature strips. There are concerns regarding possible soil contamination due to proximity to the road surface and vehicle pollutions that may cause potential risks for human health.

- Trees, tall shrubs and climbing plants are not to be planted.

Option 3 Permeable Surfaces

Another option is to establish a permeable surface with granitic sand; however this does not include hard paving, such as concrete and bricks, which are not permitted on nature strips. This option requires the least maintenance apart from occasional weeding and no watering or mowing is required. This option often requires more materials, labour, and skills, and costs more than the other options. It can be potentially subject to erosion-causing silt problems.

· Desirably the nature strip area will need to be excavated to at least 100 mm below the top of kerb with great care not to damage the root system of existing street trees.

· To minimize cost, a base layer can be filled with a 50mm layer of crushed rock less than 20mm in diameter, and compacted.

· Top 50mm layer of granitic sand less than 10mm in diameter to be placed and compacted into a level surface.

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Option 4 Artificial Grass

Similar to permeable surface option, tree roots must not be damaged from any installation work. Once laid, the owner must be aware that they remain responsible for it and it must be maintained in good condition.

Planting of artifical grass may be appropriate in some circumstances, but is generally discouraged by Council from a sustainability perspective. Applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, with factors such as street tree health to be given priority.

6. Failure to obtain approval or maintain nature strips

Nature strip modification work should only be put into action after the approval of Council.

Failure to maintain nature strips according to the safety guidelines in Section 4 will require the property owners to rectify the issue at their own cost as directed by Council. The property owner will be first notified and if there is no response from the property owner, Council may arrange the works to be done at the property owner’s cost.

When a property with a permit for planting on the nature strip is sold and the new owner is not a party to the original permit, the nature strip is to be returned to the original condition by the previous owner at the previous owner’s cost.

Otherwise, the new owner of the modified nature strip may agree to take on maintenance liability by obtaining a permit.

If the property owner fails to obtain approval prior to the work being undertaken, Council will take appropriate action to rectify the situation. The property owner will be notified in writing and be required to pay Council’s costs where deemed appropriate by Council.

7. How do I obtain approval?

All planting options except option 1 (growing grass) require an application form to be submitted by the property owner. If approved, a planting on nature strip Permit will be issued by Council.

Any planting on nature strips does not change the responsibility of the property owner to maintain the nature strip in front of their propery in a safe and presentable manner (refer to Council guidelines and regulations).

Property owners who have already planted on their nature strip are encouraged to apply for a permit so that an agreement between Council and the resident would exist into the future.

The application form requires the following information:

· Property owner details.

· Property address and location details.

· Proposed planting.

· 3 x Sketch plans with proposed planting and the location of all assets within the vicinity (i.e. property boundary, driveways, footpath, street trees, etc).

· Work manager details (property owner or landscaping contractor).

Each application is considered individually and will take into account:

· location (applications for a busy road with high traffic may not be granted to ensure public safety and health).

· traffic numbers & management.

· existing services & access for maintenance purposes.

By obtaining a Permit you ensure that Council will provide public liability insurance for setting up and maintaining your nature strip garden. Without a valid permit you may be personally liable for a public liability claim.

The application form can be found on the City of Monash website:Website: www.monash.vic.gov.au/nature-strips

The application form is to be submitted to:Engineering Department Monash City Council PO Box 1 Glen Waverley 3150 Telephone: 9518 3555 Email: mail@monash.vic.gov.au

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Appendix A List of Suggested Plants

Ground coversHappy Wanderer (Hardenbergia violacea)

A vigorous evergreen climber, but can be managed as a low shrub or ground cover

Pea-like flowers which are usually violet but can be white or pink

Leaves are dark green, “hard” and leathery

Flowers in late spring to winter

Cut-Leaf Daisy (Brachyscome multifida)

Fast growing, low spreading herb with soft, mid to dark green leaves and profuse variable lilac-blue, pink or white flowers

Provides nectar for butterflies

Flowers most of the year

Creeping Bossiaea (Bossiaea prostrata)

Spreading or matting ground cover with grey-green leaves and yellow and brown pea flowers

Seeds provides food for birds

Flowers in spring

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Appendix A List of Suggested Plants

Running Postman (Kennedia prostrata)

Open trailing or densely matted perennial with crinkly, hairy green-grey leaves and single scarlet pea flowers borne in pairs

Provides butterfly and caterpillar habitat

Flowers April to December

Low PlantsSpreading Flax-lily (Dianella admixta)

Dense to open tufting perennial with strappy leaves spreading by branched underground stems

Open, conical-shaped flower head on a stalk taller than leaves

Fruit are small, shiny, dark blue berries

Berries attract birds

Flowers late winter - early summer

Button Everlasting (Coronidium scorpiodes)

Woolly-leaved spreading perennial herb and solitary flat yellow flowers

Provides nectar for butterflies

Flowers spring to early summer, depending on management

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Appendix A List of Suggested Plants

Erect Guinea Flower (Hibbertia stricta)

Rounded to erect shrub with narrow grey-green leaves and light yellow barely stalked flowers

Provides butterfly and caterpillar habitat

Flowers August – November

Dwarf-Rice-Flower (Pimelea humilis)

Erect or straggling shrub with green and grey to green leaves and dense creamy-white flower-heads

Provides nectar for butterflies

Flowers September to January

Common Flat Pea (Platylobium obtusangulum)

Trailing or erect shrub with hairless, distinctive triangular-shaped leaves

1-3 large pea flowers in leaf axils on short stalks hidden by brown scales and papery bracts. Flat hairy winged pods

Yellow with red centres

Flowers September to November

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Appendix A List of Suggested Plants

Common Appleberry (Billardiera scandens)

Woody climber with narrow leaves and cream, tubular flowers that flare at the tips of the petals as a ground cover

Provides food, shelter and nesting sites for birds

Aboriginals were known to eat fallen ripe fruits and to roast green fruit

Flowers from June to January

Native Fuchsia (Correa reflexa)

Can grow up to 1.2 m

Leaves are oval in shape and range from 10 mm to 50 mm long

Pendant, tubular flowers occur in groups of 1 to 3 and can be pale green, red with yellow tips or red with green tips, with green being the most common

Flowers between May and November

Climbing Saltbush (Einadia nutans)

A perennial, twining herb with woody stems spreading to 1 m diameter

Small pointed fleshy leaves

Provides food for adult butterflies and their larvae

Tiny yellow flowers and attractive bright red or yellow fruit during summer and autumn

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Appendix A List of Suggested Plants

Grasses, Lilies, and IrisesChocolate Lily (Arthropodium strictum)

Dwarf perennial herb with slightly fleshy dark green leaves and chocolate or caramel scented, solitary violet flowers

Flowers September to December

Wallaby Grass (Rytidosperma caespitosum)

Tall, tufted perennial grass from 20 – 90 cm tall, with dense tussocky base to 12 cm diameter

Flower-head is pale, with 10 – 30 or more spikelets; appearing bleached and fluffy when mature and dry

Flowers in spring, infrequently at other times

Wiry Tussock Grass (Poa sieberiana)

Dense green greyish tufting perennial grass

Very adaptable; grows larger in shade

Provides habitat for birds, butterflies, and caterpillars

Flowers spring and summer. Flower heads of this species can be green, purplish or straw coloured

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Appendix A List of Suggested Plants

Bulbine Lily (Bulbine bulbosa)

Attractive spring-flowering lily , which usually dies down to a dormant bulb or tuber in summer, reshooting in autumn

Reaches up to 75 cm tall

Succulent, greyish green leaves

Fragrant, star-shaped yellow flowers on long vertical flowering stalks

Flowers September to March if soil is moist

Kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra)

Warm season, deep rooted perennial grass with a soft, erect or sprawling tussocky habit

Leaves of Kangaroo Grass are long and thin and as they mature, turn from green to red/brown/purple

Can grow to a height of 40-90 cm

Has attractive rusty-red seed heads which form throughout the summer and are held on the plant for a long time

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Appendix B Plants to Avoid

Grasses, Bulbs, and Ground coversAfrican Lily (Agapanthus spp.)

Invades gardens, bushland and roadside areas. Takes over and displaces indigenous grasses and groundcovers. It also attractslarge numbers of snails and slugs

Seeding time - late summer to early autumnControl techniques - remove by hand or dig out

Asparagus Fern (Asparagus africanus)

Causes serious environmental problems when it escapes into bushland

Fast growing plant that can climb up trees with green to orange/red berries

Control techniques - dig out root and tubers and dispose of in rubbish

Monbretia (Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora)

Invades gardens, bushland, roadside areas and stream sides. It can take over and displace indigenous grasses and groundcovers Seeding time - autumn (also reproduces by corms) Control techniques - remove by hand, spray

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Appendix B Plants to Avoid

Freesia (Freesia alba x leichtlinii)

Noxious weed in many locations throughout Australia.

A small plant (10-40 cm tall) growing each year from underground bulbs

Control technique - dig out, spray

Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana)

Pampas grass has become a major threat to nature reserves. Once established, the plant is very competitive, restricting the establishment of native trees, can become a fire hazard, and can harbour vermin

Flowers summer to autumnSeeding time - winter to springControl techniques - spray, dig out

White Arum Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica)

A common and widespread serious weed of pasture, bushland, and creek lines. The yellow spike and white flower are poisonous to people and animals. The sap is also reported to cause eczema among adults Seeding time - late spring to early summerControl techniques - remove by hand, spray

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Appendix B Plants to Avoid

Climbers and CreepersBluebell creeper (Billiardiera heterophylla)

Scrambling evergreen shrub that eventually forms a dense mat, smothering native vegetation and preventing any new native plants from growingTrailing ground cover with moulded, shrub like formFlowers Spring to SummerControl techniques – remove by hand or spray

English Ivy (Hedera helix)

Blankets the ground and excludes native plants. Smothers and kills treesFlowers late autumn and winterSeeding time - berries in winter to spring (also re-grows from small pieces)Control techniques - remove by hand, cut stem, spray

Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)

Vigorous stem twining climber, highly invasive and aggressive plant which forms a large mat on the ground that can climb to smother treesFlowers spring to summerSeeding time - berries in late summer to autumn (also reproduces vegetatively)Control techniques - remove by hand, cut stem/aerial, spray

Plant information sourced from:Flora of Melbourne, 3rd Edition.University of Melbourne, Burnley Plant GuidePlant images provided by:Ian Moodie, Whitehorse City CouncilUniversity of Melbourne, Burnley Plant Guide