Glen Eira councillor supports vegie patches on nature strips

NATURE’S best will be on display and ripe for the picking if support keeps growing to allow more nature strip plantings in Melbourne’s inner east.

Nature strips in Glen Eira could look like this if councillor support grows.

TOMATO plants, flowers and strawberries could soon be sprouting from nature strips across Glen Eira.

Councillor Nina Taylor has called for planning regulations around nature strips to be relaxed.

“Mowing the lawn is such a bugbear for so many (people),” Cr Taylor said.

“I love the idea of people being able to share produce from nature strip gardens.

RELATED: Caulfield South homeowner in turf war over nature strip plantings

“It beautifies the area, helps foster community connections, increases biodiversity and decreases our collective carbon footprint.”

Cr Taylor said establishing formal guidelines would help green thumbs interested in establishing a nature strip garden.

But she admitted there were legal and safety issues that needed to be considered.

The call comes just seven months after Caulfield South homeowner John Walys became engulfed in a turf war with Glen Eira council after landscaping his nature strip.

The council threatened a $1000 fine if he didn’t remove pavers and plants outside his Keeron St property, after a complaint was made to the council.

Glen Eira council planning and place director Ron Torres confirmed current local laws required a permit.

Mr Torres said there was also a local law relating to planting trees or plants on a nature strip causing a nuisance, posing a safety or health hazard or unreasonably interfering with access or visibility.

Nature strip gardens are a hot issue in Glen Eira, with the council receiving a couple of inquires or complaints every week.

“Council responds to complaints or inquiries from neighbours,” he said. “Action is taken if there is an identified pedestrian or vehicular hazard.”

Residents can be slapped with fines of up to $300 for illegal planting on nature strips.

But Mr Torres said no fines had been issued in the past 12 months.

He said the issue was “complex” and a report for council consideration would be released within the coming months.

Neighbouring Port Phillip Council encourages vegie patches on some nature strips.