Front garden designs

Front garden design should limit the amount of impervious surfaces to a maximum of 50% with the balance being landscaped using trees, shrubs, groundcovers or grass. This encourages rain water to infiltrate into the garden rather than draining out to the stormwater system. The following should be included:

• At least 1 tree, at a minimum of 2m in height. Where more than one tree is planted, spacing should be at 5m – 10m • Smaller plants & ground covers in the balance of garden beds should have a planting density of 4 plants per m² • Garden beds to be edged and mulched to a minimum depth of 75mm • Natural turf is encouraged over the use of synthetic turf in the remaining areas • A timed irrigation system to maximise the efficiency of water use is recommended

Garden design and plant selection should include the use of indigenous and drought tolerant plants where possible and practical. Pebbles can only be used as a feature element in small quantities providing it is in keeping with the overall design philosophy or as an alternative path material. Their colour needs to complement that of the house.

The developer at the completion of subdivision works will establish the nature strip/s adjacent to your allotment. Altering landscaping within the verge is not permitted. The ongoing maintenance of the nature strip is the owner’s responsibility.

Consideration should be given to the species and maturity of trees and shrubs relative to the proximity of the house when making your plant selections as not to cause any damage to the house.

Planting

Dwelling

Grass

Footpath

Grass

Planting

figure 27: Example of front garden set out