Nature strips and driveways

Maintenance responsibilities depend on whether your property is in an urban or rural area.

Urban areas

We maintain established trees and arrange the removal of declared weeds on nature strips. The adjoining property owner is responsible for all other maintenance, including:

• mowing, edging and removing litter
• managing all vegetation except established trees and declared weeds
• keeping footpaths clear by trimming overhanging or encroaching vegetation
• maintaining clear sightlines at driveways, intersections and corners
• maintaining the driveway crossover.

We support property owners landscaping their nature strip, provided it meets the requirements in the Suitable nature strip landscaping section of our guidelines.

Rural areas

Rural road verges are generally different from urban nature strips. They often have speed limits above 60 km/h, wider verges, open drains instead of kerb and gutter, and gravel walking tracks rather than sealed footpaths.

We will:

• mow rural road verges as needed to reduce safety hazards and obstructions
• maintain open drains, including removing vegetation
• keep track corridors clear.

The adjoining property owner is responsible for:

• maintaining the driveway crossover
• maintaining any culvert or stormwater infrastructure that only serves their driveway.

We generally support landscaping of rural road verges. However, because there are additional safety and drainage considerations, please contact us before carrying out any landscaping works.

Other responsibilities

• In new subdivisions, the developer is responsible for establishing the nature strip. Once the property title is transferred, maintenance becomes the responsibility of the adjoining property owner.
• Public infrastructure on a nature strip is maintained by the infrastructure owner. For example, TasNetworks maintains power poles and overhead powerline clearances, while the City of Clarence maintains public bins, footpaths, street trees, signs and stormwater assets. Property owners should keep access to this infrastructure clear of vegetation and other obstructions.
• If we or a utility provider carry out works on a nature strip, we will restore the area to a maintainable condition. This may include grass seed but does not include reinstating landscaping materials or plants.
• If you notice a hazard, obstruction, issue with a street tree or declared weeds on a nature strip, please let us know.

Yes. You can carry out some minor landscaping works on your nature strip, but what you can do depends on the type of work.

You don’t need approval for:

• Planting or maintaining a lawn.
• Low-growing plants (under 1 metre high).
• Loose rock or pebbles that are properly contained.
• Low hedges that don’t block visibility.
• Temporary stringline or flag fencing for lawn rehabilitation (for up to 13 weeks).

Suitable nature strip landscaping section of our guidelines.

You need council approval before:

• Planting new trees.
• Installing pavers, concrete or other hard surfaces.
• Building retaining walls (other than simple edging).
• Installing permanent structures such as letterboxes, street libraries or bin enclosures.
• Carrying out excavation or works that may affect traffic.

To apply, complete the application to undertake works in or affecting a highway form. If your project involves any ground disturbance, you’ll also need to obtain a free Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) assessment before work begins.

The following are not permitted on a nature strip:

• Artificial grass.
• Permanent fencing.
• Garden furniture such as benches or bird baths.
• Vehicle parking areas.
• Drainage works (unless authorised by Council).
• Commercial activities, food trucks or vehicle sales.

In most urban areas, your nature strip is the area between the road and your property boundary. It may include a footpath.

If your property is on a corner or borders more than one road, you are generally responsible for the nature strip along each road frontage.

If your property shares a driveway with other properties, you are usually responsible for maintaining the section of nature strip directly in front of your property. You may wish to make alternative maintenance arrangements with your body corporate or neighbouring property owners.

If you have a nature strip that is difficult or impractical to access because your property has no access from that side, you may be eligible for assistance through our grass mowing program.

If you are unable to maintain your urban nature strip due to age, illness or disability, you may be eligible for our twice-yearly mowing program.

This service is limited to hand mowing and is not available for nature strips that are excessively steep or uneven.

It is not illegal to park on your own nature strip, however we discourage this because it can block services, compact soil and can create safety hazards.

The City of Clarence manages and maintains trees located on nature strips in accordance with our Trees on Council Owned or Managed Land Policy 2021.

If you have a concern about a nature strip tree, such as a safety issue, obstruction or damage, you can report it online.

Tree removal requests are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Trees will generally not be removed if the only reason is because they:

• Block views, advertising or signage.
• Create leaf or bark litter.
• Are disliked by residents.
• Cause minor allergic or irritant responses.
• Reduce solar access.
• Interfere with utilities or public infrastructure.

To request the removal or significant pruning of a tree on a nature strip complete an Application for tree removal from council land.

If there is not enough space for you to keep a skip bin on your own property you can complete and submit an Applications for Structures and Obstructions Permit to request to keep the bin temporarily on your nature strip.

Property owners are responsible for ensuring vegetation from their nature strip does not encroach onto the footpath, including grass, weeds or other growth that may obstruct access.

The City of Clarence undertakes an annual footpath spraying program to manage undesirable vegetation growing through footpath surfaces. Additional spot spraying may also be carried out where vegetation creates a safety hazard or requires attention.

See Weeds on your property and Weeds on council land.

The City of Clarence operates a street sweeping program, with street sweepers generally visiting each area on an approximate 10-week cycle.

Residents are asked not to place or sweep waste material into the gutter, as it may remain there until the next scheduled street sweep and can enter the stormwater system.

If you do not want vegetation spraying to occur near your property, you can apply to join the No Spray Register.

By joining the register, you take responsibility for managing vegetation in the areas that would normally be maintained through the City of Clarence spraying program. Applications to join the No Spray Register are accepted annually from 1 June to 30 June and are available on our website.