Maribyrnong council has started the process in reviewing its Naturestrip Landscape Policy and Guidelines to consider the wishes of individual property owners and the broader community interests.
At its council meeting on Tuesday, August 16, councillors passed a motion to endorse the proposed scope of the review for the purposes of community engagement.
Through a permit process, residents have been able to apply to plant out their nature strips with a range of ground cover plants and low growing shrubs, including herbs and vegetables.
Maribyrnong councillor Jorge Jorquera said the review would take into account the growing expertise and enthusiasm of residents around ecological issues.
“Hopefully, that enthusiasm can be brought to bear across the city, as we explore through this engagement process what people are interested in,” he said.
“I think this is a great initiative.”
Maribyrnong councillor Bernadetter Thomas said with nature strips making up a significant proportion of open space within Maribyrnong, it would be “exciting” to see the potential scope around nature strips be expanded.
“I’m sure we are going to get some good feedback because we know that there are a lot of people out there who want to transform their nature strips into something that the whole community can be proud of,” she said.
Matthew Sims
