The Narara Ecovillage (the Village) is committed to creating an environmentally sustainable community. A critical component in achieving this commitment is ensuring that residential and landscaping development meets appropriate environmental standards and aligns to the principles of sustainability, liveability and affordability.
The Scope of the Narara Ecovillage Landscape Standards & Guidelines (as outlined in CMS s41.3) includes:
The Narara Ecovillage Landscape Standards & Guidelines addresses:
Planting on Community land will be guided by the following documents (some of which are requirements of the Council Stage One D.A):
Note: Section 96 (s96) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 addresses post-consent applications to modify a Development Consent.
Management of Community Property Landscape Planting is the responsibility of the Community Association (CA). The CA may contract out components of this role.
Issues that should be considered in preparing a landscape plan for a private lot include:
NB: Some other above issues are subject to external regulation (e.g. Bushfire requirements and noxious weed declaration); others may be guided by planning approval conditions; while other matters are subject to NEV or CMS guidelines.
Solar Access Considerations
Solar access considerations should include both Solar panels (photovoltaic and water heater panels) and winter window shading (for access to natural light and passive solar heating). As a general rule the height of trees should be selected and maintained so as not to impact their neighbour’s solar access.
Bushfire Requirements
Bushfire requirements are largely set by the Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating available from the Rural Fire Services website. See the following link (as at 2 Oct 2016):
Also, see:
https://plan.gosford.nsw.gov.au/Common/Output/DataworksAccess.aspx?id=19965315&ext=pdf
Note: The current 10/50 vegetation clearing rules are also on the Rural Fire Services website. See the following link (as at 2 Oct 2016):
http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/1050-vegetation-clearing
Asset Protection Zones and Inner Protection Areas
Underground Services
Plants with invasive roots should be avoided or kept well away from underground services, particularly sewage and storm water pipes. Both Sydney Water and Hunter Water publish useful guidelines. Hunter Water Guidelines are reproduced in Table A4.1. The website link (as at 2 Oct 2016) is:
Also, see the Sydney Water fact sheet “How you can help stop blockages - Tree planting and the wastewater system”. The website link (as at 2 Oct 2016) is:
Noxious Weeds
Noxious weed declarations are regulated at a state level under the Noxious Weeds Act 1993. The current legislation can be found on the NSW legislation website. The following link is current as at 2 Oct 2016:
http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/act/1993/11
The weed declaration status of individual plants can be checked on the Department of Primary Industries website. The website links (as at 2 Oct 2016) is:
Note: The Commonwealth Government provides strategic planning, and funding to support state and local governments for weed management. This is largely delivered via the Weeds of National Significance (WoNS) program. Thirty two Weeds of National Significance (WoNS) have been agreed by Australian governments based on an assessment process that prioritised these weeds based on their invasiveness, potential for spread and environmental, social and economic impacts. Consideration was also given to their ability to be successfully managed. A list of 20 WoNS was endorsed in 1999 and a further 12 were added in 2012. See the Commonwealth Department of Environment website for details. The website links (as at 2 Oct 2016) is:
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/weeds/weeds/lists/wons.html
The Narara Ecovillage Landscape Approval Process requires that a Landscape Plan be submitted to, and approved by, the Building Review Panel before the Building Design is submitted to Council.
NB: Landscaping forms part of the NSW Government BASIX assessment, which has been incorporated in the NEV water and energy efficiency assessment.
The Applicant will submit the Landscape Plan to the BRP for Approval.
Should an Owner’s Building Design not meet the Narara Ecovillage Landscape Standards & Guidelines, then the BRP shall notify the Owner with the details in each Category where the design failed.
Once the Applicants have obtained the approval of the BRP, the Landscape Plan shall be forwarded to:
If the Council:
From Hunter Water website
The following table is a basic guide only. You should consult your local nursery or an arborist if you still have concerns about planting a particular species
Table A4.1: Trees to Avoid Planting Near Sewer Pipes
Botanical name | Common Name | Damage rating |
---|---|---|
Cinnamomum camphora | Camphor Laurel | Extreme |
Ficus species | Fig Trees & Rubber Plants | Extreme |
Populus species | Poplars | Extreme |
Salix species | Willows | Extreme |
Erythrina species | Coral Trees | Very High |
Eucalyptus species | Large Gum Trees | Very High |
Jacaranda mimosifolia | Jacaranda | Very High |
Liquidambar styraciflua | Liquidambar | Very High |
Araucaria species | Norfolk Island & Bunya Pines | Very High |
Brachychiton acerifolium | Illawarra Flame Tree | Very High |
Casuarina species | Casuarinas | Very High |
Melia azedarach | Australian White Cedar | Very High |
Pinus species | Pine Trees | Very High |
Platanus acerifolia | Plane Tree | Very High |
Schinusmolle | Pepper Tree | Very High |
Ulmus species | Elms | Very High |
Bougainvillea species | Bougainvilleas | High |
Cortaderia selloana | Pampas Grass | High |
Grevillearobusta | Silky Oak | High |
Ilex species | Hollies | High |
Lagunaria patersonii | Norfolk Island Hibiscus | High |
Ligustrum species | Privets | High |
Magnolia species | Magnolias | High |
Nerium oleander | Oleander | High |
Phoenix canariensis | Canary Island Date Palm | High |
Phyllostachus species | Bamboos | High |
Toxicodendron species | Rhus Trees | High |
Lophostemon confetus | Brush Box, Tristania | High |
Wisteria species | Wisteria | High |
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