Council works closely with local and regional groups such as the Bellarine Catchment Network (BCN) on vegetation and conservation management. We value the contribution of community and volunteers in this work.
We encourage all residents to grow native plants in their garden, particularly those which are indigenous to this area and can withstand the salt air and sea breezes. Planting indigenous plants will maintain the character of our coastal environment, preserve the plant species, and encourage birdlife, all while being low-maintenance for you to upkeep. Examples of plants that are indigenous to the Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale area include: coast saltbush; coast swainson pea; coast banksia; correa; sweet wattle; moonah; coast daisy-bush; and tussock grass.
Indigenous plants can be purchased through the Queenscliffe Indigenous Nursery, a plant farm run by the Swan Bay Environment Association. The nursery only grows plants that are indigenous to the Swan Bay and Bellarine Peninsula, helping create a garden that is beautiful, low maintenance and helps our eco-system thrive.
Council is responsible for planting, care and maintenance of street trees and trees in parks that it owns or has Committee of Management responsibility for. We're also responsible for the care and protection of native vegetation on the many coastal reserves in the Borough. Our tree planting program aims to plant native trees at the request of ratepayers. If you have any suggestions, please contact Council.
You can apply to plant or remove vegetation on Council land, such as your nature strip, by completing the 'Apply to plant or remove trees on Council land' online form.
Council maintains an Electric Line Clearance Management Plan, updated annually, that complies with the Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2020.
The plan focuses predominantly on electrical safety and the minimisation of fire starts as a result of contact between vegetation and the electricity network, as well as the protection of areas of important vegetation.
Council's electric line clearance tree trimming program is also completed each year as required under the regulations.