The Derwent Valley Council encourages residents to beautify the area of land between the footpath edge and the kerb of the road known as the nature strip.
Definition of Nature Strip
The area of land between a property boundary and the edge of a roadway or between a footpath and the roadway. The primary purpose of this strip of land is to provide an area for infrastructure provision.
Traditionally, property owners/occupants have maintained nature strips adjoining their properties.
Council’s Works Department is responsible for grass cutting of sports areas, parks and reserves, walkways, swimming pools and cemeteries. It lacks resources to effectively maintain nature strips.
From time to time council will create a new nature strip or excavate through existing nature strips to install or maintain infrastructure such as sewer, stormwater or domestic water. In such cases council will insure that the nature strip is reinstated to a maintainable condition.
Depending on the time of the year, seeding of nature strips may be delayed. Such instances may be during dry summer months or winter months. Council will insure that nature strips are loamed and seeded where new ones have been created or where existing nature strips have been disturbed. This will normally be carried out in autumn or spring.
"My nature strip is damaged – Can Council repair it"?
Damaged nature strips will be assessed/repaired if for example there is a dangerous hole in the nature strip, large ruts or if the soil has subsided below the kerb. An inspection is required before any work is conducted and the resident will be contacted with the results of the inspection. To organise an inspection please contact Council‘s Customer Services section on telephone 6261 8500. A resident who is unable to maintain their nature strip in a clean and tidy condition may request Council to spray the area to reduce the problem.
Plantings on Nature Strips
Occasionally Council is asked if property owners can plant their own trees/shrubs on nature strips. Before planting, Council must be contacted with the details of the plantings to ensure that they are not an evasive species, for approval. Suckering plants are not allowed.