Overgrown land

A property is considered overgrown if the grass is above 60cm, which is around knee height. The assessment of what is overgrown also includes vegetation that is providing a habitat for vermin and snakes.

For bushfire risks associated with overgrown Land please contact Rural Fire Services on (02) 4393 6222

Procedure

Complaints about overgrown grass or vegetation can be made on-line or by calling Customer Contact on (02) 4350 5555.

After a complaint is made about a specific property an “Intention to issue an Order is sent to the owners of the land and the owners have 30 days to comply with the request to clear the land.

Generally if the land is less than 1000m2 then a request is made to clear the whole block. If a block is larger the owners are requested to put a 5 metre buffer along the boundary to all neighbouring properties. In some circumstances residential blocks over 1000m2 may be required to clear all vegetation.

An Inspection is carried out by Council after the 30 days has lapsed.

If the property has not been mowed or cleared Regulation & Compliance will issue an “Order 21” on the property. This gives the property owner a further 30 days to remove/clear the vegetation.

A re-inspection will take place after the 30 days has lapsed.

If the property still hasn’t been cleared, Council issue a fine of $330 to the land owner and a quote for the clearance of the land is requested from Council’s contractor

A letter detailing this quote is sent to the owner advising them they only have a further 10 days to clear the property.

If no contact with Council is made by the owners then Council will instruct its contractor to clear the property.  The owner of the property will be billed for this work as per the quote.  The cost will be recovered through debtors.

For additonal information take a look at section 124 and section 679 of the Local Government Act, 1993.