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Mowing and slashing land

Residents and property owners are legally required to mow the nature strip(s) next to their land, and ensure the grass, weeds and scrub do not grow to more than 30cm high.

Mowing nature strips

Property owners who do not keep their nature strip grass shorter than 30cm face a fine of up to $800.

Report an overgrown nature strip online

Note: While grass remains the City of Whittlesea’s default nature strip surface treatment, Council supports the modification of nature strips and encourages residents to establish a garden within the nature strip adjacent to their property. Learn more and apply for a permit.

Fire prevention

Fire authorities recommend keeping the grass shorter than 10cm to minimise the chance of fire passing from the road onto your property.

Property owners who do not keep their grass shorter than 10cm can face a fire prevention fine of $1583.

Visit Emergency Management for more information.

Vacant land

If you own vacant land in a residential area you must ensure the grass, weeds and scrub do not grow to more than 30cm high.

Property owners who don’t comply with this requirement face a fine of $1583 per rateable owner.

Report overgrown vacant land by calling us on 9217 2170 or email info@whittlesea.vic.gov.au.

Slashing vegetation on Council land

Our Parks and Open Space Department is responsible for slashing vegetation on Council-owned land, and cutting fire breaks at least twice during the fire danger period, or as seasonally required.

We monitor this land before and during the fire danger period to ensure we meet our responsibilities and that the grass is kept to a fire safe height. We also issue internal fire notices at Council to ensure this standard is maintained.

You will notice after periods of rain there may be some delays before long grass in your area is slashed.

If you believe an area requires urgent slashing, call us on 9217 2170 or email parks@whittlesea.vic.gov.au.

Rural scrub clearance

Rural landowners must ensure the grass and weeds on their property do not grow to more than 30cm high.

Fire authorities recommend keeping the grass shorter than 10cm to minimise the chance of fire passing from the road onto your property.

Landowners should eliminate weeds and pest plants on their private property as they can have negative agricultural, environmental and social impacts, but be careful to retain native local vegetation, which is protected under the Whittlesea Planning Scheme.

There are some instances where you can obtain a planning permit to remove native vegetation – for more information, call our Planning Department 9217 2236.

Learn more about pruning or removing a tree on private property.