Can you put artificial grass on your nature strip?

In most of Melbourne’s north, no. Here’s what each council says, with links to its own page, the date we checked, and what you can do with a nature strip instead.

Updated 8 October 2026

Freshly mown natural grass nature strip beside a suburban footpath

The short answer: in most of Melbourne’s north, no. Hume, Darebin and Whittlesea list artificial or synthetic turf as not allowed on nature strips, and Merri-bek’s guidelines say council does not support it. For Moonee Valley we couldn’t read the final guideline wording ourselves, so check with council before you start.

We checked every council page below on 8 October 2026. Rules change, so always confirm with your council before you buy or lay anything.

Why councils say no

A nature strip is part of the road reserve, even though the household next to it usually looks after it. That’s why changes need council’s say-so: Hume, for example, asks residents to apply for consent under the Road Management Act 2004 before landscaping one.

Whittlesea explains its reasons for not permitting synthetic grass: it doesn’t generally drain well, which can cause soil and stormwater run-off problems, and it generates surface heat.

Council by council

Council	Suburbs include	Artificial grass on nature strips	Source
Merri-bek	Brunswick, Coburg, Fawkner, Glenroy, Oak Park, Pascoe Vale	Not supported	Guidelines (PDF)
Moonee Valley	Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Niddrie, Strathmore	Not confirmed: check with council	Your Say page
Hume	Broadmeadows, Craigieburn, Greenvale, Meadow Heights, Roxburgh Park	Not permitted	Nature strips
Darebin	Preston, Reservoir	Not allowed	Nature strip planting
Whittlesea	Epping	Not permitted	Nature strips

Suburb boundaries don’t always follow council lines, so check your rates notice if you’re not sure which council you’re in.

Merri-bek

Merri-bek’s nature strip guidelines state that “Council do not support the use of synthetic grass on nature strips.” Some planting is allowed without a permit, and the guidelines suggest contacting council’s open space team if you’re unsure. They also keep plants below 0.5 metres for sight lines, discourage hard landscaping such as rocks and pavers, and rule out irrigation systems. The guidelines are dated 8 January 2019, and council’s current nature strips page still links to them.

Moonee Valley

Moonee Valley’s revised nature strip landscaping guidelines were endorsed on 28 November 2023. Council’s aim was to simplify the process and remove the permit requirement for planting. We couldn’t open the final guidelines document with our research tools, so we can’t quote its position on artificial grass. Comments in council’s August 2023 consultation report suggest artificial turf stayed prohibited in the draft, but those are community comments, not the guideline itself. Check the current guidelines, linked from council’s trees and nature strips page, or call council before you plan anything.

Hume

Hume lists synthetic turf among the things not permitted on nature strips, alongside irrigation systems, rocks, railway sleepers, star pickets and retaining walls. Anyone wanting to landscape a nature strip must apply for a permit first, through council’s Consent to Work Within a Hume Road Reserve form. Grass, mulch and low plants under 400 mm are the allowed options.

Darebin

Darebin’s nature strip planting page is direct: “Do not install irrigation systems or artificial turf.” To plant a nature strip, you complete council’s online approval form. If your plans meet the criteria, you’re automatically granted a nature strip planting permit; if not, the form asks you to contact council. Darebin’s planting guidelines also ask for plants under 50 cm, at least 30 cm back from the road and footpath, and at least 60 cm from street trees.

Whittlesea

Whittlesea lists “synthetic grass and plants” among the changes not permitted on nature strips. Synthetic grass already installed with a valid permit can stay if it’s kept green and properly secured with no loose edges. Synthetic grass installed without a permit may have to be removed under council’s Community Local Law 2024–2034. Re-seeding a nature strip needs no permit, laying instant turf needs a Works in Road Reserve permit, and nature strip gardens need a permit too.

What you can do instead

If you want a nature strip that’s tidier and easier to look after, there are options inside the rules:

Natural grass. Merri-bek’s guidelines list warm-season, drought-tolerant grasses such as couch, buffalo and kikuyu, and Hume lists grass as an allowed treatment.
Low planting. The councils we checked generally allow low plants within height limits, such as 0.5 metres in Merri-bek, 400 mm in Hume and 50 cm in Darebin, with clearances from trees, footpaths and kerbs.
Mulch, where allowed. Merri-bek and Hume allow mulch, but Whittlesea doesn’t permit compacted crushed rock, sand, pebbles or stones.

Leave room for bins, car doors and any service pits, and check your council’s page before you start.

A freshly mown, striped lawn in front of a home (stock photo)

Your front yard is different

Inside your property boundary, artificial grass is generally up to you, subject to any owners corporation rules or planning permit conditions that apply to your property. We’re happy to install artificial grass in your front yard and finish the edge cleanly where it meets the nature strip. See our artificial grass installation in Melbourne, or if a living lawn suits the nature strip and front yard better, our new natural lawns.

For the suburbs we cover, see our service areas.

From EKO Gardening Solutions. Council pages checked on 8 October 2026.

A few useful answers.

Have a question about your own space?
Tell us what you have in mind.

Can I put fake grass on my nature strip in Merri-bek?

Merri-bek’s nature strip guidelines say council does not support synthetic grass on nature strips. The guidelines are dated January 2019, so check with council for anything newer.

Do I need a permit to change my nature strip?

It depends on the council and the change. Hume requires a permit for nature strip landscaping, Darebin uses an online approval form for planting, and Whittlesea requires a permit for nature strip gardens. Moonee Valley’s 2023 guidelines aimed to remove the permit requirement for planting.

What happens if I put synthetic turf on my nature strip anyway?

Council can ask for it to be removed. Whittlesea, for example, says synthetic grass installed without a permit may have to be removed under its local law.

Can I lay natural turf on my nature strip?

Often, yes, within each council’s rules. Whittlesea allows re-seeding without a permit but needs a permit before laying instant turf, and Hume lists grass as an allowed treatment once you have consent. Check your council’s page first.

Sources

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