Indigenous Planting Guide – Surf

for urban indigenous planting guide coastal JULY 2003 areas within the Surf Coast Shire 2 using this planting guide 3 The aim of this planting guide is Although a broad description of Some Useful • maintain the unique local visual to describe a variety of environmental conditions for Definitions character of the area indigenous plants that are each plant has been described, • preserve the biodiversity of suitable for use in local urban local variations in soil type, Endemic Plants only found in a the region for future generations landscapes. slope, aspect, moisture, sunlight particular area. • help the movement of and water availability do occur. Indigenous Plants which are pollinators between remnants of The guide presents three native to and evolved in a bush vegetation ‘precincts’ – Torquay/Jan Juc; As some plants are suited to particular area. • extend the beauty of the local Anglesea District; and Lorne. particular site requirements, it is Native Plants native to and surroundings and reserves into advisable to contact your local which have evolved in a home gardens Each precinct has an nursery for more information particular country eg Australia. • are adapted to low nutrient accompanying map which and to get advice on choosing Naturalised Introduced plants soils and do not need fertilising defines the boundary of that plants which will grow well at that have spread beyond the •do not become environmental precinct. Planting lists for areas your home. Always consider possibility of eradication. weeds outside the defined urban block size when choosing Environmental Weeds Plants •have minimal water precincts are contained in the plants as some (such as tall which aggressively invade requirements as they are accompanying publication gums) may be unsuitable. natural bushland and displace adapted to the local soil “Indigenous Planting Guide for Availability of stock can be native flora and fauna. They conditions Rural Areas Within the Surf seasonal and varies between may be exotic or ecologically •support local fauna by Coast Shire”. Plant lists for a nurseries. To ensure plants you out of balance indigenous providing food and habitat for selection of Council reserves desire are available, plan ahead species. local wildlife, including birds, and estates are also included and place an order with a Exotic Species which have been small mammals, reptiles and (see Appendices A-C). nursery which is able to supply introduced from overseas. amphibians plants to meet your needs. •are disease resistant Additional reserve lists are Many of the plants listed are Why Using Indigenous •are more adapted to fire than available from the Surf Coast difficult to propagate and may Plants is Beneficial non-indigenous species Shire. Plants suitable for use not be stocked regularly. near drains and sewers are Using indigenous plants in listed in Appendix D. Do not be tempted to buy the landscaping and revegetation is named plants outside the area beneficial because they: Each precinct is broken into tall as they may be different genetic trees, trees, tall shrubs, medium stock and cause problems with shrubs, low plants, pollination. groundcovers, grasses, sedges, lilies and grasstrees, It is important to note that seeds and climbers. Plants are can only be collected by permit assigned to categories based holders and all indigenous on the average height of the plants are protected, which plant at maturity, as the mature means that it is unlawful to size of a plant can vary greatly remove, lop or destroy them. according to site specific conditions. A description of site requirements, height/width and general comments is included for each plant. Button Everlasting landscape guide A guide to preparing a landscape plan in the Surf Coast Shire 4 The Purpose of this invasion of environmental Achieving a Net Gain net gain. Can buildings be sited note weeds threatens the natural to retain significant vegetation? landscape and native flora and It is State Policy, supported by Has land been set aside to This note aims to assist anyone fauna. the Surf Coast Shire, to assist replant vegetation? Is there a preparing a landscape plan to the protection and conservation weed problem that can be help create a plan that will In recognition of the importance of biodiversity, including native rectified? achieve the best possible of the landscape the Surf Coast vegetation retention and outcome and that will be of an Planning Scheme provides for provision of habitats for native What is indigenous acceptable standard fro the protection of native plants and animals, to achieve a vegetation? approval by the Shire. vegetation through various ‘net gain’ in vegetation cover controls including significant across the State. ‘Indigenous’ vegetation is those The Planning Context landscape, vegetation species that occurred naturally protection and environmental Put simply this means ensuring within an area before European The Surf Coast Shire has some significance overlays. A number that more vegetation is put back Settlement. However indigenous of the most attractive coastline of planning policies are than is removed, by minimising plants are not just the same in Australia that is complemented applicable to certain removal and replacing with species as those occurring by untouched heathlands, developments, including the indigenous vegetation where naturally but the same genetic substantial areas of native Coastal Development Policy removal is necessary. It also stock also. To replant forests and bushland, open (Clause 22.01) and Streetscape refers to the quality of the indigenous you must use plants rolling landscapes and and Landscape Policy (Clause vegetation, by way of its grown from seed collected in significant waterways and 22.05). diversity and structure. the local area. Local indigenous wetlands. In the townships of nurseries are collecting and the Shire, this natural landscape The Streetscape and Landscape On your site you should propagating local seed. merges with the built Policy provides that a consider how you will achieve a environment to create the landscape plan must special character witnessed in accompany the following types towns like Anglesea, Aireys Inlet of application: and Lorne and enjoyed by • Commercial and industrial residents and visitors alike. development • Proposals involving the The landscape interacts with the development of new public built environment in many ways roads by providing a setting, shade • Use and development of land and privacy and can also be for more than one dwelling used to create a view. The • Development of land in the landscape supports local fauna Environmental Rural Zone and by providing food and habitat in Schedules 1 and 2 to the for birds, mammals and Significant Landscape Overlay reptiles. The landscape also (excluding minor buildings and plays an important role in other works associated with an natural process such as soil existing building) stability and water quality. The • Native vegetation removal Many Flowered Mat-rush what should a landscape plan show? 5 1. Draw the plan to scale. A correctly scaled plan 3. A landscape plan should not only show will allow a true appreciation of space and ensure proposed plants, but also existing vegetation. that the landscape plan correlates with any Clearly indicate all vegetation to be removed or development plans. Also include retained on site. a north point. 2. Include a detailed plant schedule that should show: • Key/legend • Botanical name • Common name • Height and spread at maturity • Quantity 6. Existing or proposed services and • Size at planting (eg 4. The plan should reflect the easements should be identified. Certain plants container size, mature spread of the selected may be unsuitable to be planted over pipelines advanced tree to planting at the appropriate or under overhead cables. nominated height, tube scale. This will help you ensure stock) that plants have sufficient area to grow. 5. Show the building footprint, including setbacks from boundaries, and areas of hard surface including driveways, paths and paving. Other Things to vegetation will also save you •Don’t plant environmental location and placement of Consider from buying plants later. weeds. A number of exotic windows and doors. There is no • Use plant species that are plants and even native plants point planting species that will • A landscape theme and plan consistent with the existing or from outside the local area grow up to block windows and should be prepared in expected natural landscape have established in the Surf doors. conjunction with the building character of the site and Coast and are out-competing • Avoid planting species that will design process, not as an surrounding area. The Coastal the indigenous vegetation. For overshadow north facing afterthought. This approach Development Policy includes a more information see windows during the cooler recognises that buildings sit vegetation character description “Environmental Weeds – months, but use plants that will within the context of the site and for the coastal townships. Invaders of our Surf Coast”, provide shade during the surrounding area and are not • The availability of indigenous available from the Surf Coast summer months, particularly isolated from external influences. plants may be seasonal or Shire. Note that other plants from the west. •Use existing vegetation as an require seed collection to fill are potential weeds so it is • The Shire discourages the use asset. A tall tree can become a orders. So plan ahead and always best to plant of Redgum mulch and Jarrah focal point for a view; shrubs factor this in when planning the indigenous. timber edging in landscaping. can create seclusion. Retaining timing of the project. • Give consideration to the These species are being rapidly landscape guide 6 depleted from their natural Need More Help? environments and suitable alternatives are available. It is recommended that a •Use a diversity of plantings – qualified landscape architect or groundcovers, shrubs and designer with experience or trees. knowledge of the Surf Coast •Vegetation extends below the prepare or assist in the ground not just above.

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