Nature strips play an important role in connecting our community to public services.
Nature strips
What is a nature strip?
A nature strip is the section of land between a property's boundary and the road. It is typically used for public infrastructure and services.
- In suburban areas, nature strips are usually grassed areas between the property boundary and the concrete kerb. They may include footpaths, street trees and other structures.
- In rural areas, nature strips are usually grassed areas between the property boundary and the edge of a road or table drain.
What can be found in a nature strip?
Nature strips may have infrastructure both above and below ground:
Underground:
- Drains
- Sewer pipes
- Gas lines
- Power and internet cables
Above ground:
- Road signs
- Light and power poles
- Post boxes
- Street trees and footpaths
Why are nature strips important?
Nature strips provide several community benefits:
- Enhance the appearance of streets with green space
- Support street trees that offer shade and shelter
- Help cool urban areas by reducing heat from hard surfaces
- Create a buffer zone between pedestrians and vehicles
- Provide space for waste collection and utility access
Note: Parking vehicles such as cars, trailers, or caravans on a nature strip is not allowed under Victoria’s Road Safety Road Rules. Motorbikes are an exception.
Who is responsible for nature strips?
In Suburban Areas
- The City is responsible for nature strips and street trees on roads that we own or manage.
- If you wish to carry out any work on a nature strip, you must obtain permission from the City.
In Rural Areas
- The Road Authority is responsible for nature strips and street trees.
Who maintains nature strips?
The City may:
- Inspect and prune street trees for safety
- Clear overgrown vegetation
- Inspect for fire hazards (e.g. grass over 500mm high)
- Ensure nature strip gardens follow the guidelines
Property owners are encouraged to maintain a nature strip next to their property by:
- Mowing the grass
- Controlling weeds and vegetation
- Cleaning up leaf litter and rubbish
If you want to create a garden on the nature strip, it must follow our specifications and be registered with us.
Responsibilities in a road reserve 
Road reserve responsibilities - rural
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Common Questions
Yes - our Naturestrip landscaping guidelines explains the alternative materials accepted by the City.
If the damage on a nature strip is caused by a service provider, the damage should be repaired by the relevant service provider.
If it is unknown who caused the damage, please report the damage to us and we will investigate the matter further.
No, we will not maintain nature strips on a regular basis.
We will only repair safety issues on established nature strips.
We will only repair safety issues on established nature strips.
If the City receives a concern about a nature strip garden, the owner/occupier will be asked to review it against the City’s Nature Strip Guidelines and make any necessary changes to ensure it is compliant.
We request that any changes be made within eight weeks. If, after this time, no changes have been made and the garden is still considered non-compliant, the City will issue a second letter following a further review.
If the garden continues to pose safety concerns and no action is taken, the matter may be referred to Local Laws for enforcement.
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