Council seeks community feedback on new nature strip garden guidelines

The City of Greater Geelong is seeking feedback on a draft Nature Strip Guideline and Specification which will provide residents with more options to create beautiful and sustainable nature strip gardens.

The new guideline promotes biodiversity while considering public risk and safety and will apply to nature strips on City-managed roads.

The draft guidelines examine a range of topics including:

• The City’s responsibilities and property owner responsibilities
• Where to plant
• What you can and can’t plant
• Permitted and prohibited surface materials
• Public safety

A video animation also explains the safety accessibility and legal factors residents should consider when planting or maintaining a nature strip garden.

The City is responsible for managing nature strips in a way that minimises potential risks to the community and public infrastructure while supporting the creation of greener spaces.

Mayor Trent Sullivan

Residents are seeking alternatives to the traditional lawn nature strip.

These gardens can help beautify local streets reduce urban heat create habitat and help increase social connections.

We consulted with a range of stakeholders in updating the guidelines and we’re now seeking further community input to see if we’ve got the balance right.

Councillor Belinda Moloney  

The guidelines provide options and advice for people interested in greening their nature strip.

Through clear guidelines residents can understand what is possible for their nature strip and get a feel for the safety and legal factors that will influence what they can and can’t do for accessibility reasons. Please get involved with the six week consultation to help shape our beautiful city.

Nature strip gardens provide a lot of benefits when installed in the right locations.

The City supports the creation of new nature strip gardens as they help meet the Environment Strategy 2020–2030 goals of creating greener community spaces and enhancing the region’s biodiversity.

Information sessions will be held at Wurriki Nyal 137-149 Mercer Street Geelong on Thursday 16 May 10-11am and Wednesday 22 May 5:30-6:30pm.

The community is encouraged to provide their feedback from Monday 29 April – Sunday 9 June.

For more information visit yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au