By Belinda Nolan
NEW local-laws could see residents slapped with a fine for planting a tree or drought resistant grass on their own nature strips.
Hobsons Bay Council is making changes to its community local-laws and is proposing a gamut of new regulations.
Key among the new laws are plans to outlaw nature strip modifications, making it illegal for residents to make any changes to their nature strip without a permit.
Residents have slammed the proposal, claiming it’s over the top.
“It’s bloody ludicrous,” said Hobsons Bay Residents’ Association convener Colin Palmer.
“So if you dig a hole in your nature strip to plant a tree, or put a stick in the ground to steady a plant, would you then get a fine?
“It’s ridiculous.”
Mr Palmer questioned the wording of the draft local-law, which prohibits any and all “modifications.”
He said it was unclear exactly what actions would be deemed modifications.
“The way it reads, you could argue that you need a permit to mow the nature strip because that’s a modification,” Mr Palmer said.
The Williamstown Newport and Spotswood Residents Association have also slammed the proposed by-law, labelling it "draconian."
“Uniformity in the streetscape is desireable, however, rather than pass a legalistic local law, we would like to see council work in conjunction with residents on matters to do with their street,” said spokeswoman Jenni Mitchell.
“Local co-operation and support is not done by making and enforcing a law like this one.”
The council’s business and finance director Glenn O’Sullivan last week confirmed that “any modifications” to a nature strip would be considered as “illegal” but was unsure how much a permit would cost.
“The intent of introducing permits is to ensure improved safety, not to raise revenue,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
The council is proposing that penalties under the local-laws would be determined by penalty units, as opposed to set amounts.
This would mean that fines would go up every year, rather than remain fixed for the life of the law.
However Mr O’Sullivan insisted this was not a money-making scheme.
“The council does not expect to generate any revenue from these proposed laws,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
Proposed changes also include limiting the activities of film crews and kite surfers.
The council is calling on the community for feedback on the proposed amendments.
The revised local-law is available for inspection at the Hobsons Bay Civic Centre, 115 Civic Parade, Altona; all Hobsons Bay library branches and on online at www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au until Friday, 11 September.
