Naturestrips
The City of Melton is a municipality with a great variety of street types. The variation of urban, suburban, semi-rural and rural streets and roads create an interesting and valuable street landscape.
What is a naturestrip?
The term 'naturestrip' commonly refers to the area of public land between the property boundary and the road, kerb or shoulder in roads and streets. This includes the strips of public land on the sides or corner properties. Naturestrip are a buffer zone between the road and the property boundary, that allows Utilities to run their assets to service all properties, which can be accessed at any time to perform maintenance, some excavations may be necessary.
Who is responsible for maintaining naturestrips?
It is the responsibility of the resident to maintain the naturestrip abutting their property. This is done by regular mowing, weeding, picking up litter, topping up of soil and levelling out the surface to avoid tripping hazards on the naturestrip as required. Natural subsidence can occur due to the reactive nature of the soil.
Where vehicles are found to be parking/driving on the naturestrip, regardless of who caused the damage, Council will not reinstate/repair any damage. If evidence of the activity can be provided this should be send to CSU for investigation by Local Laws.
Where residents do not maintain naturestrips and they become unsightly, Council under The General Local Law will ensure that the resident is aware of their responsibility that the naturestrip is maintained to present a neat and tidy street.
If the naturestrip becomes damaged following Utility works, such as water, gas, electricity, telecommunications or as a result of building works, the Service Authority or builder is responsible for naturestrip repairs and reinstatements. Council does not repair/reinstate any naturestrips after the construction of a build. Residents are encouraged to see their builder or contact the Contractor/Authority that performed these works.
Where Service Authorities or Contractors undertake works that require the removal or disruption of objects, plants or other things on road reserves and footpaths, that have been installed by the resident, the Service Authority or Contractor will only be required to reinstate the road reserve or footpath to normal condition, i.e. not the augmented condition. Councils’ current minimum reinstatement requirement is levelling and top soil.
New Subdivisions
In some areas, the Developer will install the naturestrip and trees, and maintain them for a period of time (varies). In these instances, please contact the Developer or Council's Landscape Team for any enquiries.
What options are available for landscaping naturestrips?
Council supports beautification of naturestrips provided that the underlying purposes of the naturestrip can be maintained whilst ensuring the ongoing safety of the general public.
If you plan to do anything other than grow grass on your naturestrip, you will need to complete a Naturestrip Landscaping Application form.
For more information contact our Customer Service team on 9747 7200.