connecting people and place and ideas to create cooler, greener, more sustainable cities
Nature Strips – Guiding Principles
Guiding Principles
Nature strip gardens must comply with local council policies. Councils should work toward minimising compliance overheads - eg permits not required when following guidelines.
Projects should aim to engage community residents, local organisations, and local social enterprises or businesses.
Each project will be tailored to, and by, the target community.
Delivery methods should be flexible and varied to suit the community and circumstances.
All jobs created should be ongoing, meaningful, and within the target community.
Further training and building of skills and experience should be available to all participants.
Apart from residents/owners, volunteering should be used as support only and not at the expense of paid jobs.
Nature strip gardens are to be water-wise, organic, pesticide-free, with predominantly native plants. Choosing plants native to the area reduces the need for excess water and soil modification, as well as providing better habitat.
Participation of Indigenous people and organisations, including the sharing of their ecological knowledge, is encouraged.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay respect to their Elders past and present and to the pivotal role that First Nations Peoples continue to play in caring for Country across Australia.