Community
17 September, 2024
Red tape cuts to gardening
CASSOWARY Coast residents will soon be able to beautify the verges outside their property without seeking regional council permission.
The council has introduced a new policy that cuts red tape while offering straightforward rules for planting and standards.
Cassowary Coast Mayor Teresa Millwood said she hoped that a new road verge maintenance policy would encourage neighbourhoods to create lovely verges that were easier to manage.
“Through this new policy we’re offering clear guidelines on what kinds of plants can be put on the verge outside properties and where they can be planted,” she said.
“It’ll also guide (the) council to apply uniform standards across the whole region so every neighbourhood benefits from streets that are loved.
“But my favourite part is that we’re cutting the red tape and getting rid of permits.
“So long as you follow the guidelines of the policy, I encourage everyone to go ahead and add a touch of greenery and personal flair to your verge which will no doubt enhance our streets.”
Cr Trudy Tschui told last month’s council meeting that she hoped that entire streets would get together and beautify every verge.
The policy explains the adjacent landowner’s responsibility for mowing, pruning and maintaining road verges and describes things that should not be in road verges such as spiky plants and hard garden surroundings.
“Plantings must not impact public utilities above or below ground level,” a council report said.
“Positioning and type of plantings must have regard to the potential full growth of the species.
“Trees, medium and large shrubs, even if on the planting list, should be avoided due to their size.
“A person who undertakes planting and/or the adjacent property owner may be held liable for damage done to council services or footpaths due to plant growth, roots or water movement. (The) council reserves the right to remove plantings, and may seek payment for damage incurred and other costs.
Planting in verges must not:
Obstruct access to any services or affect visibility of signage
Obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic, nor create traffic hazard or cause damage to existing trees
Impede the safe movement of vehicle or pedestrian traffic
Obstruct or impede vehicle line-of-sight
Impede roadworks or maintenance activities undertaken by the council from time to time.
Not acceptable are:
Plantings on verges of roads with speed limit above 60km/h
Planting adjacent to disabled parking spaces and bus zones
Plants that have spikes or attract pests such as wasps
Hard garden surrounds, including mounded beds, rocks, pots, irrigation, raised beds and planter boxes.
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