VicRoads Asset Maintenance Update

From March 17, 2025, VicRoads will take over median strip maintenance on their roads, including:
•    Mowing and litter removal
•    Edging and weed control
•    Garden bed and tree management

The Department of Transport (DOT) will manage median strips on their roads, while Council will continue maintaining roadside nature strips.
 
VicRoads remains responsible for major roads like the Western Ring Road and Calder Freeway, plus road surfaces, drains, signage, and debris removal.

For requests, contact VicRoads at 13 11 70 or visit VicRoads Website.
 

• Heritage Gardens 

• Sportsgrounds (Spring/Summer)

• Flagship Parks                                                                                
• Dog Parks
• Sportsgrounds (Autumn/Winter) 
   

• Suburban parks

• Neighbourhood parks
• Local parks and reserves
• Kinder/facility centres
• Activity centres                                                                        
• Playgrounds
• Fitness stations
• Creek lines and easements
• Council Roads/Nature strips
   

• Department of Transport nature strips (side only)
• Accessways

• Water Sensitive Urban Designs (WSUD)

• Roundabouts 
   

• Car Parks
   

• Court bowls

• Traffic islands

Residents and property owners are responsible for maintaining their nature strip to ensuring it is safe and accessible for everyone. Council relies on the goodwill and established community expectation that residents will mow, weed and maintain their nature strip and keep it free from hazards.

Council is responsible for planting, pruning and maintaining street trees to ensure they remain healthy, safe and clear of powerlines.

Council and various authorities have the right to inspect nature strips at any time and to undertake any necessary works to keep them safe and the underground assets functioning.

To ensure safety, accessibility, and to protect street trees, certain things are not permitted on nature strips, including:

•    Granitic sand
•    Rocks, sleepers and edging
•    Rubbish, furniture and household items
•    Planting of shrubs
•    Parked vehicles or caravans etc.

Penalties may apply if an Authorised Officer of Council reasonably believes there has been a breach of Council’s Local Laws.

Our Parks Services Unit can help with the condition of your nature strip this can include a soil top up and some spreading of seeds.

Log a service request here or contact us on 03 9249 4000.

The Road Safety Road Rules 2017 prohibits parking on the nature strip, as such, Authorised Officers may issue an infringement to a vehicle parked on the nature strip.

For further information refer- Parking in Brimbank.

• Call Customer Service or attend a Customer Service Centre.

• Fill in the private access form and return to Council. 

• We need to have 3 days notices so we can evaluate the conditions and the request.

• You will be contacted to discuss access, conditions and the nature of your works. 

• If access is granted, it will be for a specific timeframe with specific conditions.

• The reserve will be inspected prior to, and again after access.  Any damages brought against the reserve as a consequence of gaining permission for access will be the responsibility of the applicant. Reinstatement of damages will be to the Council’s satisfaction; otherwise, the applicant will be charged the cost of repairs.

• Wet weather creates a backlog. Crews may lose days/weeks due to unsafe ground conditions, then need time to catch up across the whole municipality.

• Grass can grow faster than normal in late spring/summer (warmth + moisture)

• Parks are done in a programmed cycle (route-based). Crews can’t always jump to one park without delaying other scheduled areas.

• Safety and access issues can delay a site (boggy patches, hazards, vandalism, heavy litter, broken irrigation, events, parked vehicles).

• Sometimes, but we try to avoid it where possible.

• Light damp grass: may be manageable with the right equipment and conditions.

• Wet/soggy ground or heavy dew/rain: mowing can be unsafe and can damage turf, create ruts, and leave a poor finish (clumping, bogging, slippery slopes).

• Safety comes first: wet conditions increase risk around slopes, obstacles, and machinery stability.

• Freeways and major arterial roads are maintained by the State Government (in Victoria this is managed through the transport road authority, often referred to as VicRoads/Department of Transport and Planning).

• Council maintains local streets, local parks, and many local road reserves (not the major freeways/arterials).

• Some freeway corridors/tollways may also involve private operators under state-managed contracts.

• Nature strips are usually the responsibility of the property occupier/owner to maintain.

• Report it to Council so it can be assessed.

• If it’s creating a hazard (blocking the footpath, obstructing visibility, prickly weeds, etc.), it’s more likely to be treated as a priority.

• If it’s not unsafe and only mildly overgrown, Council may take an education/letter-first approach and allow time for the resident to fix it.