Nature strip (verge) treatment

A well-planned and maintained nature strip can improve neighbourhood amenity and environmental quality.

Efficient use of water can be supported by choosing suitable plants, mulching and appropriate watering methods. To help with plant selection, the City provides advice on species suitable for nature strips. When planning landscaping on the nature strip, take the following into consideration:

• Setback: Keep a minimum 2m wide parallel to the kerb line clear for pedestrian movement and temporary vehicle parking.
• Public utilities: If a utility provider (water, gas, sewerage, electricity, telephone) works on your verge, they must replace disturbed soil. Irrigation and landscaping replacement is the property owner’s responsibility.
• Clear access: Landscaping must not obstruct the roadway or footpath.
• Safety: Landscaping must not create hazards for pedestrians, motorists or cyclists.
• Height: Landscaping near vehicle crossovers and intersections must not exceed 60cm at full maturity, unless regularly maintained to preserve sightlines.
• Approval: For significant upgrades, the City recommends submitting a verge landscape proposal for review, as some shrubs and trees may be inappropriate for the street environment.

Hardstand verge treatments are not permitted in commercial or industrial estates, as they encourage parking within the road reserve. All parking must be accommodated on the property itself in accordance with the City’s Local Planning Scheme.

In residential areas, brick paving or concrete may be installed on the nature strip. Refer to the City’s standard drawing below for the required construction details.

Residential Verge Hardstanding Layouts – Standard Drawing TS-07-9 (PDF)

All standard drawings are on the Standard drawings page.

For enquiries about verge treatments in commercial or industrial areas, contact the City’s Approval Services team on 9405 5000. 

When installing irrigation on the nature strip, the following requirements apply:

• Pipe depth: Irrigation pipes and connections must be installed beneath the nature strip at a depth of 150–300mm, and fittings must not protrude above the surface.
• Setback: Pipes and connections must be set back at least 250mm from the edge of the verge and footpath (or the alignment of any future footpath).
• Valves and water supply: All irrigation valves must be located within the adjoining private property, and water supply to the system must come from that property.
• Sprinkler direction: Where irrigation extends to the kerb line, half sprinklers must be used to ensure water is directed away from roads and paved surfaces.
• Operating times: Sprinklers must not operate during daylight or early evening hours when they may inconvenience pedestrians, cyclists or motorists.
• Responsibility for damage: The adjoining property owner is responsible for any damage to public utility services within the verge.
• Before you dig: The City recommends using the Dial Before You Dig service to identify the location of public utilities before installation works begin.
• All nature strip treatment should be maintained in accordance with the City’s Verge treatment guidelines and Public Places and Local Government Property Local Law.

Property owners are responsible for all damage caused to the verge area.

The City supplies and plants street trees for residential verges. Property owners are responsible for watering the tree and any additional maintenance must be referred to the City’s Parks and Conservation Management team.

Standard alignment for a street tree is:

• Centrally located on a standard block;
• At least 1.5m from a vehicle crossover;
• At least 1m from the kerb line;
• At least 1.5m from the road or footpath;
• At least 2.5m from street poles;
• 10m from a road truncation; and
• Between 2.4m and 3m from the front property boundary.

Tree quantities:

• Standard lot – 1 tree;
• Corner lot – 1 tree on the short boundary and 2 trees on the long boundary (15m apart); and
• Rural lot – 1 tree per 15m of road frontage.

When requesting a tree, please advise:

• Whether overhead power lines are present;
• Whether any existing nature strip planting is in place; and
• Verge length (rural properties only).

View more on the Tree Planting Program

Treatments should include:

• Verge gradient: The verge must maintain a positive 2% gradient from the kerb to the property boundary unless otherwise approved.
• Maintenance: Adjoining property owners must keep the verge free of hazards and nuisances. Treatments may be removed by the City at the owner’s cost if unsafe.
• Loose materials: Gravel, crushed bricks and loose stones are not permitted as they pose safety risks to pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
• Obstructions: Items that may cause danger or restrict access (including rocks, stakes, fencing, bricks or string) are not permitted.
• Sporting equipment: Sporting equipment such as basketball hoops and cricket wickets must not be placed on the verge.
• Basketball hoop placement: Where hoops are installed on private property, position them to prevent balls entering the road or neighbouring properties.
• Indemnity: Property owners must indemnify the City against all claims arising from verge treatments.
• City works: The City may remove verge treatments at any time to carry out works and is not liable for any associated loss.