Well maintained nature strips and street trees keep Wellington looking attractive, making it a more pleasant place to live, work and play. As well as providing us with essential oxygen, trees play an important role in enhancing the character and identity of our region.
Residents are required to maintain the nature strip in front of their home. Generally, this refers to the regular mowing, weeding and trimming of the nature strips but may extend to the management of other vegetation types (excluding trees) as needed.
Nature strips also provide space for utilities such as power, water and telecommunications. Clear access is required for repairs or tapping new lines within the nature strip. Council, or other Service Authorities are under no obligation to reinstate landscaped areas following works.
Residents, through the Nature Strip Landscaping Guidelines (listed in the tab below), are supported to develop landscapes.
Any landscaping of nature strips must not impact or obstruct safe public use or access for the relevant Council and Service Authorities.
Street trees on nature strips belong to Council. The planting of street trees is guided by the Urban Forest Management section contained within Public Open Space Plan 2014 -2024.
To ensure that the species selected is suitable Council will evaluate the selection to ensure that the type of tree fulfils requirements in regards to safety, maintenance, underground/overhead services, signage and road intersections.
Landowners are not permitted to damage or remove trees on the nature strip, or plant new trees.
Nature strips and street trees provide various community and environmental benefits by:
Council is currently consulting specific ratepayers in Heyfield to complete the final stage of the Heyfield Town Tree Plan.
Over the past two years, extensive tree planting has taken place north of Mary Street (Traralgon Maffra Road) and the focus of this round will be the southern side of Heyfield.
Ratepayers identified in the Town Tree Plan document as impacted will receive a letter with instructions to select a preferred nature strip tree for their property. Selected residents should visit Your Wellington Your Say to check if the property has been identified and requires a new tree and if so, nominate a preferred tree species.
Please note: if you don't mind which of the preferred trees is planted outside of your property, or Council officers do not receive your nomination form by the closing date, a tree will be selected on your behalf.
Eligible ratepayers have until Friday 12 November 2021 to submit a nomination form.