[TherophosaBlondi]

This guy has put down some Astro turf on the verge in front of his house and Council are making him pull it up.

Is it a matter of council not liking it or do they have a valid reason?

[maurie]

I'm thinking it's because of access to services under the naturestrip. Is Astroturf hard to remove?

Some people in my area plant gardens on their naturestrip and if Council/Water/Elec/Gas need to access their pipes they only replace the dirt and put down grass seed - they won't replace the plants.

This post has been edited by maurie: 28/02/2013, 08:09 AM

[newphase]

The council said it is because it is a possible tripping hazard!

[emlis22]

He doesn't own the land, so he can't just do what he wants with it. That's the bottom line. People who disregard rules and then complain irk me.

This post has been edited by emlis22: 28/02/2013, 08:17 AM

[JRA]

this is a really difficult one, sure he doesn't own the land, but it is his responsibility to keep it maintained.

This is a real contradiction, and has been forever.

Our council has the same rule, but many have put it down, and council seem to have ignored this, and often don't realise. The next door council are putting it down themselves in median strips and such

To say it is tripping hazard, when it is the grass bit, is ridiculous. Grass itself is uneven and often unkept and definitely a tripping hazard. Many footpaths are worse with tree roots causing issues.

[TherophosaBlondi]

He doesn't own the land, so he can't just do what he wants with it. That's the bottom line. People who disregard rules and then complain irk me.

Yes but council would say something if he didn't maintain it. Astro turf is a viable, water friendly option.

this is a really difficult one, sure he doesn't own the land, but it is his responsibility to keep it maintained.

This is a real contradiction, and has been forever.

Our council has the same rule, but many have put it down, and council seem to have ignored this, and often don't realise. The next door council are putting it down themselves in median strips and such

To say it is tripping hazard, when it is the grass bit, is ridiculous. Grass itself is uneven and often unkept and definitely a tripping hazard. Many footpaths are worse with tree roots causing issues.

Exactly.

If I could afford it I would replace my front yard with Astro Turf. No mowing, easy to maintain etc.

[YodaTheWrinkledO...]

I think it is a great idea. Will keep that in mind for our footpath.

To say it is tripping hazard, when it is the grass bit, is ridiculous. Grass itself is uneven and often unkept and definitely a tripping hazard. Many footpaths are worse with tree roots causing issues.

Very true.

I think someone on council made a decision on this situation without thinking it through. In reality, the astro turf isn't going to present any more of a trip hazard than grass (particularly grass that is not regularly mowed and cared for), tree roots, or cracked footpaths .....

Provided services can be accessed and it is kept neat and tidy, I don't see the problem. Best thing is that the astro turf can be easily put back after services have been accessed and you'd never know the difference. Unlike when gardens or turf has been torn up for service access, it can take a while for recovery.

[haras1972]

I don't think having an astro turf front lawn would be the go - I've read about how much heat they generate and retain on hot days, so I assume they would actually help to heat up surrounding buildings.

I don't know why the council went with the safety angle, I would think they would have more traction with environmental concerns. Nature strips play in role in filtering run off, water tables etc, and also, having lived in Darebin, that part of Melbourne suffers from a lack of urban nature. There are lots of streets without any trees/nature strips etc.

Plus the precedent - I wouldn't want to live in a street full of fake nature strips - there are plenty of councils across Australia that have banned astro turf for nature strips, so the problem might be that Darebin weren't pro-active about this, and banned before residents started putting it in.

[YodaTheWrinkledO...]

I don't think having an astro turf front lawn would be the go - I've read about how much heat they generate and retain on hot days, so I assume they would actually help to heat up surrounding buildings.

I don't think he has used a massive strip of astro turf though. It looks to be about 1-2 foot wide and the length of the house frontage (maybe 15m??). It's basically the same size as the concrete footpath it's next to. I don't think it's going to a create a major heat hazard.

It's still green and soft. Better than a full concrete path.

[haras1972]

I don't think he has used a massive strip of astro turf though. It looks to be about 1-2 foot wide and the length of the house frontage (maybe 15m??). It's basically the same size as the concrete footpath it's next to. I don't think it's going to a create a major heat hazard.

It's still green and soft. Better than a full concrete path.

Sorry, should have quoted - I was referring to a PP wishing they could astro turf their entire front yard...