Adopted by Council on 7 February 2011

Policy Goals

This policy sets out the roles and responsibilities for maintenance of roadside verges and nature strips located on rural roads, on corridors into and within townships and within the residential and CBD areas of Latrobe City, which provide a range of landscaping opportunities to enhance the image of the municipality.

Policy Implementation

Latrobe City shall maintain designated verges and nature strips (as listed in its adopted mowing schedule and associated maps) in accordance with the specified standards. In addition: -

• Council will maintain nature strips abutting Council owned or managed land to the same standard as specified for the abutting property.
• Unless being maintained by Council, property owners are expected to (and will be required to) mow, maintain and edge their nature strips and roadside verges (except as discussed later for those within the Central Business District areas of Moe, Morwell and Traralgon where the abutting property has no on-site lawn) to the following standards:
  • Nature strips in CBDs - maintained to 50mm maximum height;
  • Nature strips in other urban areas abutting private property - maintained to 110mm maximum height;
  • Urban roadside verges/non-Council reserves (typically where no nature strip exists e.g. where an undeveloped property abuts a road with no footpath, or a developed property has a reserve that directly abuts and runs to the kerb) -maintained to 110mm maximum height, or as directed by an appropriate officer of Council for traffic safety for pedestrians or vehicular traffic. 
  • Rural  roadside verges/reserves –  maintained as directed by an appropriate officer of Council for:
    • Fire prevention in accordance  with Council’s Fire Prevention Plan (or as otherwise instructed by Council’s Municipal Fire Prevention Officer); or
    • Traffic safety for pedestrians or vehicular traffic. 

    Notes:

    1. The heights listed above are the heights at which mowing or slashing must be undertaken, not the heights after mowing/slashing is completed.
    2. The definition of urban areas for the purpose of this policy shall be those areas of towns within zones defined by 80 km/hour speed signs.
    3. With regard to fire prevention, Council will (in addition to any specific directions given to property owners), carry out its own fire prevention slashing activities.
    4. Council officers will account for preservation and enhancement of vegetation (including native vegetation) in administering this policy.  Council’s planning scheme section 52.17 exempts Council from needing to obtain planning permits for removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation where required for fire prevention or emergency works activities.
• In regard to the matters in this policy, Council will apply section 132 of Local Law # 2 to ensure that property owners carry out their civic duty in order to minimise the rates burden to Latrobe City ratepayers, and enhance the amenity and safety of the City.
• Except as provided for above, mowing or other maintenance will only be undertaken by Latrobe City staff or contractors on nature strips not being mown by property owners in the following circumstances:
  • Where required to maintain sight distance for vehicular traffic and to maintain safety for pedestrians, during the process of enforcement of Local Law # 2 section 132; or
  • Where Council has made a specific resolution;
  • In cases where documented hardship or disability prevents a property owner from being able to mow their nature strip.   Such cases may be assessed and approved under delegation by the CEO (or delegate), according to a procedure to be approved by the General Manager Built and Natural Environment Sustainability.  In approved cases, Council will mow relevant nature strips as required for safety of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, which shall generally be twice per annum.
• Council mowing of nature strips abutting private property in the Moe, Morwell and Traralgon CBD’s will continue to be undertaken to the adopted CBD maintenance standard (as amended from time to time) at those properties with no on-site lawn.  Those with on site lawn will be required to mow their abutting nature strips as occurs in residential areas outside the CBD’s.
• Council will not mow nature strips that are the responsibility of an adjacent property owner or occupier to mow under a lease, licence, planning permit obligation or other legal instrument (where known).
• Residents or other parties who wish to carry out beautification works on their nature strips (such as planting trees, shrubs or flowers) must first obtain permission from Council in accordance with Local Law # 2 and the Road Management Act 2004.  Council may either refuse permission or impose conditions on such consent being granted, including maintenance responsibilities, species limitations and location limits.  Council will consider such issues as adjacent Council infrastructure, overhead powerlines, underground services (where known), pedestrian and vehicle traffic issues and environmental goals in considering such applications.
• Requests other than planting of acceptable species  of trees, shrubs or flowers (such as requests to replace nature strips or roadside verges with concrete, pavers, rocks or mulch) will not be granted unless:
  • A landscape design plan is submitted, detailing the proposal; and
  • The applicant can demonstrate written acceptance of the proposal from the majority of residents in the street; and
  • The proposal is not contrary to any streetscape or rural roadside design or maintenance standards adopted from Council from time to time; and
  • The proposal does not create an increased public risk or an increased risk to the environment.

This policy has been reviewed after giving proper consideration to all the rights contained within the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006; and any reasonable limitation to human rights can be demonstrably justified.