This council is clearly not keen so staying well within the guidelines. Nature Strip Modification Permit and fee required before planting.

• Applicable only to nature strips in urban areas.
• If renting, gain the approval of the property owner or management body.
• If the nature strip contains a water sensitive urban design (WSUD) treatment the resident must not interfere with it in any way.
• Plant maximum height of 300 mm
• Council encourages the use of native plant species and considers that native wildflowers and groundcovers, correctly maintained, would be suitable.

See more at https://www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/parking-roads-footpaths/nature-strips-and-road-reserves/nature-strips/