Driveways and Nature Strips

All work on Council Road Reserves (i.e. constructing, removing or altering a vehicle crossing, landscaping in nature strips or undertaking utility services works) requires Council's consent.

How to request consent

Email

Download and complete the Consent to work within a Hume Road Reserve(PDF, 2MB) application and email it to contactus@hume.vic.gov.au.

Mail

Send a completed Consent to work within a Hume Road Reserve(PDF, 2MB) application with supporting documentation to:

Hume City Council
PO Box 119
Dallas Vic 3047

In person

You can take your completed Consent to work within a Hume Road Reserve(PDF, 2MB) application with supporting documentation to any Hume City Council Customer Service Centre.

Vehicle Crossings (Driveways)

What is the difference between a Driveway and a Vehicle Crossing?

Driveway refers to the portion of driveway located inside the property boundary.

Vehicle Crossing refers to the portion of the driveway located outside the property boundary (from the property boundary to the kerb, which is referred to as 'the road reserve'). The vehicle crossing is used to access the property.

Are you building a new vehicle crossing (driveway)?

Vehicle crossings span over council assets including nature strips, footpaths and kerbs located outside your property boundary (within the road reserve).

Consent is required to build over or around these assets (fees apply). Without consent you cannot construct, install, remove or alter a vehicle crossing. To apply for consent, see 'How to request consent' above.

All applications are assessed in line with Council's Vehicle Crossings Siting Policy. Applicants will be notified of fees which are calculated in accordance with the Road Management (Works and Infrastructure) Regulations 2020 Fee Schedule.

For more advice and information contact the Road Management team on 9205 2200.

Are you altering or extending your existing vehicle crossing (driveway)?

Council consent is required before any changes are made to existing vehicle crossings within the road reserve. Consent must be obtained prior to the removal or alteration of existing vehicle crossing access (fees apply), i.e. the section of driveway in the road reserve between your property boundary and the kerb. To obtain consent, see 'How to request consent' above.

All applications are assessed in line with Council's Vehicle Crossings Siting Policy. Applicants will be notified of fees which are calculated in accordance with the Road Management (Works and Infrastructure) Regulations 2020 Fee Schedule.

For more advice and information contact the Road Management team on 9205 2200.


Fees

Consent/inspection fees are payable when you lodge an application. This is a non-refundable application and administration fee.

  Working on an area over 8.5m2 

Working on an area under 8.5m2 of works
 

On roadway, shoulder or pathway

Asphalt/gravel road, kerb & channel and concrete vehicle crossings and footpaths

Not on roadway, shoulder or pathway

Naturestrip (soil/seeded area)

On roadway, shoulder or pathway

Asphalt/gravel road, kerb & channel and concrete vehicle crossings, crossing extensions and footpaths

Not on roadway shoulder or pathway

Naturestrip (soil/seeded area)

Other roads, speed over 50km/h 

43.1 fee units

$685.30 

23.5 fee units

$373.70

9.3 fee units

$147.90

6 fee units

$95.40

Other road, speed under 50km/h

23.5 fee units

$373.70

6 fee units

$95.40

9.3 fee units

$147.90

6 fee units

$95.40

 
 As of July 2023: 1 fee unit = $15.29 (fee units are reviewed annually on 1 July)

All applications are assessed in line with Council's Vehicle Crossings Siting Policy. After the application has been reviewed applicants will be notified of fees.

For more advice and information contact the Road Management team on 9205 2200.

Nature Strips

To make an application to alter your nature strip, please submit a Consent to Work Within a Hume Road Reserve(PDF, 2MB) application (with site photos, design and any required approvals). For assistance see an example of a completed form seeking approval for nature strip planting(PDF, 214KB).

The following treatment options will be considered in nature strips:

  • Grass - warm season/drought tolerant Couch/Fescue, Buffalo or Kikuyu. These are hard wearing and require up to 60 per cent less watering.
  • Mulch - organic bars or inorganic gravel like Tuscan toppings or Granitic sand.
  • Plants - only low growing species below 400mm allowed.
  • Please note residents are not permitted to plant trees on nature strips.

Before landscaping or planting on your nature strip, please contact Council to check that you meet these requirements.

 Further information can be found below:

The Towards a Leafier City program aims to plant 5,000 street trees per year in Hume. Our tree planting season begins in April and runs until September.

If you would like a street tree, please contact us on 9205 2200.

A qualified arborist from our Parks staff will need to assess the tree and determine if pruning is needed.

To arrange an inspection please contact Customer Service on 9205 2200.

Council does not remove nature strip trees unless they are structurally unsound, dead or in decline.

If you believe a tree is structurally unsound, dead or in decline, an assessment by a qualified arborist from our Parks staff will need to be organised by calling us on 9205 2200.

Do I need a permit to landscape my nature strip?
Yes, residents wanting to landscape a nature strip must apply to council seeking a permit as outlined above. This is required under the Road Management Act 2004. All works must abide by council’s residential nature strip landscaping guidelines.

Who will maintain my nature strip?
Under the Hume City Council Residential Nature Strip Policy, the property owner or residents of adjoining properties are expected to undertake general maintenance of nature strips. General maintenance is defined as: mowing, weeding, edging and any works required in keeping the nature strip in a safe, tidy and free of rubbish and hazards.

If a nature strip has been damaged will council repair it?
Council will inspect damaged nature strips and carry out minor repairs to make the nature strip safe. This is to reinstate soil only and does not include installing turf or maintenance.

What are the approved treatments for landscaping a nature strip?
The following treatment options will be considered:

  • Grass – Warm season/drought tolerant Couch/Fescue, Buffalo or Kikuyu. These are hard wearing and require up to 60 per cent less watering.
  • Mulch – organic barks or inorganic gravel like Tuscan toppings or granitic sand.
  • Plants –  only low growing species below 400mm allowed.

Do I need to call "Dial Before You Dig"?
Yes, if you dig for any excavation greater than 200mm in depth.

Can I install timber edging around my nature strip?
Yes, if your application is approved you may install an approved type of timber edging with the top edge level and flush with the kerb and footpath surface height. The material used must remain firmly in place and not warp.

Can I install irrigation systems in the nature strip?
No, irrigation systems are not permitted in nature strips.

Can I install synthetic turf on the nature strip?
No, synthetic turf is not permitted for use on nature strips.

Can I use rocks and railway sleepers on the nature strip?
No, council will not permit rocks, bluestone pitchers, railway sleepers, retaining walls, stakes, pickets or fences to be installed on the nature strip. These items are all potential tripping hazards.

What if there is a tree on my nature strip and I need to excavate?
No, compaction is not allowed around the base of the nature strip tree within the drip line. To ensure that no root damage occurs during excavation work, hand digging is required within the drip zone. No soil may be removed within this area and no planting is permitted within one metre of the base of the tree.

Can I plant a tree on the nature strip?
No, additional trees are not to be planted on the nature strip. Council is responsible for the planting and maintenance of street trees. Please contact council on (03) 9205 2200 if your street tree has died or is missing.

Can I park my car on the nature strip?
No, it is illegal to park a vehicle on a nature strip anywhere in Victoria and offenders may be issued an infringement notice under Road Safety Road Rules 2009, rule no 197. Hume City Council Local Law no.1- 2013, clause 2.15, makes it an offence for any person, without a permit, to park or drive a motor vehicle on any park, garden or reserve that is owned or managed by council.