Nature strips & street trees

Well managed street trees keep Campaspe looking beautiful. The right tree in the right place is good for the environment, creates shade and makes our streets more attractive. 

Did you know that Campaspe Shire Council responds to more than 1,500 enquiries about trees every year? If you notice any of the following problems with trees, please contact Council:

• Broken branches which could fall onto the road, footpath or driveway.
• Trees which suddenly start leaning, have new cracks in the soil around them or have roots coming out of the ground.
• Trees with recent cracks and splits through the trunk.
• Fallen trees on public land.
• Any other sudden deterioration or changes in trees. 

If you see any issues with trees in parks, playgrounds or on nature strips please lodge a service request:

• Online at link
• By calling on 1300 666 535
• In person at one of our customer service centres.

New, replacement or removal of a street tree 

Council continues to improve the character, image and amenity of the shire.

Council's Tree Planting Program runs from May to August each year. When making an application for a new or replacement street tree, landowners/residents are asked to help with the initial care of the tree, particularly in the first year while the tree gets established. This includes watering from October through to May.

New requests will be accepted up until the end of October each year. They be considered and if approved, will be scheduled for planting during the winter season.

Requests for removal of a street tree will be assessed by Council arborists. If possible a replacement tree will be planted in line with the Street Tree Planting Program. Requests can be made:

• Online at link
• By calling on 1300 666 535
• In person at one of our customer service centres.

Street tree trimming

Council is responsible for maintaining clearance space around some powerlines. If a tree is causing issues with an overhead phone line please report it to Council: 

• Online at link
• By calling on 1300 666 535
• In person at one of our customer service centres.

Choosing the right street tree 

Choosing the right tree for each street isn’t as simple as it may seem and often involves compromise. The tree species will be selected by Council’s Arboriculture Officer who will consider the suitability of the tree species based on the following:

• Neighbourhood character
• Height of the tree species
• Other trees are in the surroundings
• Local conditions and climate
• Are there any strategies or planning scheme requirements to consider?

Council invests in quality nursery stock and best-practice planting techniques to give all new trees the best possible start. Our Arboriculture Officer has developed a list of suitable street trees.

Download the approved street trees list(PDF, 158KB).

A well-kept nature strip makes your property and the street you live on more attractive. Nature strips are the stretch of land between your property and the road. In the Shire of Campaspe, as in other municipalities, Council owns the nature strip, but it is up to residents to maintain them.

It is your responsibility to:

• weed the nature strip
• mow it regularly
• pick up rubbish.

Residents can make application to develop a nature strip garden, as outlined in Policy 108 - Naturestrip plantings & garden beds in urban areas(PDF, 393KB) . A plan of the proposed works is required to be submitted with a Works-within-road-reserve-minor-works.doc(DOC, 217KB) application form. This process ensures existing services are not affected by works and appropriate insurances are in place.

Council arborists carry out safety inspections of trees in areas deemed higher risk such as around parks and buildings and along roadsides. Rural Roads Victoria (formerly VicRoads) inspects some of the major roads.

You can contact us to request an inspection on roadsides and Council land.

Trees that pose an immediate risk to public safety are the highest priority and are inspected immediately or within 24 hours. Other less urgent requests are assessed within 7 days.

Following inspection, trees may need to be removed or pruned. Some may not require any work.

We also rely on your eyes.

What can you do?

Please contact Council if you are concerned about a tree, for example if you notice:

• Broken branches which are likely to fall on to the road, footpath or driveway.
• Trees which are suddenly leaning, have recent cracks in the soil or have roots coming out of the ground.
• Trees with recent cracks and splits through the trunk.
• Fallen trees on public land.

If you notice any sudden changes or deterioration in a tree’s condition, please report it:

• Online at link
• By calling on 1300 666 535
• In person at one of our customer service centres.

You need to manage trees on your own land. You need to ensure trees and plants do not obstruct access to pedestrians using the footpath, block street lighting or obscure the view to road and footpath users, as outlined in Council's General Local Law(PDF, 20MB). 

Removing trees on private property

If you want to remove native vegetation, including trees, shrubs and grasses, you may need a permit from council. Penalties apply for removing native vegetation without a permit. Make sure you know if a permit is needed before you start removing any native vegetation.

Further information is available on our Native vegetation removal page.

Trees on neighbours properties

Talk to your neighbours first if you are concerned about a tree on their property.

You have the right to prune an overhanging tree to the boundary fence line. You do not have the right to enter their property without permission.

More information on your rights and responsibilities is available from the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria website.