Garden maintenance
Last published 01 Jun 2020
Information on individual and common area gardens. What are your responsibilities and what does DCJ maintain? Guide to what species are recommended and what are not allowed.
Trees and shrubs help our environment by giving us shade, privacy and fresh air.
This factsheet will:
- help guide your choice of trees and shrubs to improve your garden, if you have one
- help you reduce ongoing maintenance costs
- give you advice on plants, trees and creepers that you shouldn’t plant.
Managing your garden
Trees and shrubs enhance our local environment by providing shade, privacy and amenity.
If your home has a garden, you are responsible for its basic maintenance. We also encourage you to add to your own garden. This fact sheet will help guide your selection of trees and shrubs to improve your garden, as well as minimise ongoing maintenance costs.
You should avoid some species as their root systems can damage building foundations, paths and sewer pipes or their trunks and limbs can damage roofs and other structures. As well as the costs of repairs to a damaged property, these trees and shrubs may be unsafe for residents and visitors. Failure to comply may result in tenant damage charges.
Gardens in common areas are for the enjoyment of all residents and are maintained by DCJ. Tenants aren’t permitted to plant or remove trees or shrubs in the common areas, except in common areas approved for community gardens. See community greening for more information on community gardens in social housing.
What am I responsible for maintaining in my garden?
It’s your responsibility to look after the lawn and garden of your home which includes:
- mowing lawns, watering, weeding and mulching garden beds
- regularly trimming trees and shrubs that are less than 3 metres high to allow light into windows and let air circulate around buildings
- providing a tray/saucer for pot plants on balconies, verandas and paved areas to protect the surface from water damage
- clearing leaves from gutters in single story homes that are less than 3 metres high.
What can I plant in my garden and where can I plant it?
- you can plant trees that will grow up to 3 metres high, but if you don’t know how tall a tree will grow it would be best not to plant it in your garden
- trees or shrubs must be planted at least 3 metres from any buildings, paths, or fences
- you can also plant vegetables, herbs and citrus or fruit trees - prune them regularly to keep them under 3 metres in height
- if you build a garden bed or lay lawn, make sure it is more than one metre away from any buildings
- raised garden beds must not be placed directly against structures such as buildings and fences as they can cause damage and prevent access for maintenance
- you can install a worm farm or compost bin
- don’t plant any tree or climber that has invasive roots or stems, is a noxious weed or has toxic leaves or sap.
See our list of suggested shrubs and climbers for different climate regions in NSW that are suitable to plant in your garden, as well as the trees and climbers that you are not permitted to plant.
When do I need permission from DCJ?
If you wish to plant a tree or shrub in your garden for shade or privacy that will grow to a mature height of more than 3 metres, you must apply to DCJ under the Alterations to a Home Policy. We will assess the type of tree and look at where you want to plant it to make sure it doesn’t cause maintenance issues in the future.
What will DCJ maintain?
We will trim trees that are greater than 3 metres in height, if they pose a risk to existing structures or services and will maintain lawns and gardens in the common areas of unit and townhouse complexes.
Suggested shrubs and climbers
Shrubs
Climactic region | Botanical name | Common name | Soil suitability | Growth characteristics | Other features |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
North, Central and South Coast | Leptospermum polygalifolium | Lemon Scented Tea-tree | Prefers well-drained sandy soil and full-sun to part-shade. Tolerates frost conditions. Drought tolerant once established. | Grows to 3m tall and 2.5m wide. Responds well to pruning after flowering. | Native shrub with white flowers in late spring and summer. |
North, Central and South Coast, Highlands | Banksia spinulosa | Hairpin Banksia | Prefers well drained soils and full-sun. | Grows to 3m tall and 2m wide. Pruning generally not required. | Large yellow/orange flower spikes growing to 18cm high. Attracts nectar feeding birds and provides cut flowers. |
North, Central and South Coast, Highlands & Western Slopes | Westringia fruiticosa 'Jervis Gem' | Native or Coastal Rosemary | Prefers well-drained soil and full-sun to part-shade. Tolerates frost, dry and coastal conditions. | Grows to 1.2m tall by 1m wide. Light prune annually to keep compact. | Native, hardy, long lived shrub with grey-green foliage and white to pale blue flowers in later Spring to early Autumn. |
North, Central and South Coast, Highlands & Western Slopes | Philotheca myoporoides (Eriostemon) myoporoides | Long leaf waxflower | Prefers part-shade to shady. Frost tolerant and drought tolerant once established. | Grows to 1.5m tall. Tip prune after flowering to maintain shape and size. | Native, hardy shrub with small |
North, Central and South Coast, Highlands & Western Slopes | Grevillea speciosa | Red Spider-flower | Prefers an open sunny position with well-drained and low phosphorous soil. Drought tolerant once established. | Grows to 3m tall. Responds well to pruning after flowering. | Red or pink flowers from late Winter to late Spring. |
North, Central and South Coast, Highlands & Western Slopes | Correa reflexa | Native Fuchsia | Prefers well-drained soil and full-sun or shade. | Grows to 1.2m tall. Responds well to pruning after flowering. | Tubular to bell shaped red flowers with yellow tips from late Autumn to Spring. |
North, Central and South Coast, Highlands, Western Slopes & Far Western Plains | Eremophila maculata | Spotted Emu Bush | Prefers well-drained sandy soils and full-sun. | Grows to 2.5m tall. | Red to purple, pink or white flowers from Winter to early Summer. |
Western Slopes & Far Western Plains | Grevillea floribunda | Rusty Spider-flower, Seven Dwarfs Grevillea | Prefers well-drained soil and full-sun or shade. | Grows to 2m tall. | Orange-brown flowers in early Spring and late Winter. |
Western Slopes & Far Western Plains | Acacia wilhelmiana | Dwarf Nealie | Grows in sandy soils in mallee regions of NSW. | Grows to 3m tall. | Golden-yellow flowers in Spring. |
Western Slopes & Far Western Plains | Gossypium sturtianum | Sturts Desert Rose | Prefers gravelly or sandy soils and full-sun. Drought tolerant. | Grows to 2m tall. Low maintenance. | Large papery lilac flowers. |
Creepers
Climactic region | Botanical name | Common name | Soil suitability | Growth characteristics | Other features |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
North, Central and South Coast & Highlands | Clematis aristata | Native Clematis, Traveller’s Joy, Old Man’s Beard | Prefers part shade and cool soil. | Evergreen climber for fences or pergolas. Prune to make way for new growth. | Cream star like flowers in Spring and Summer followed by small decorative fruit. |
North, Central and South Coast, Highlands & Western Slopes | Hardenbergia violacea | Purple Coral Pea, False Sarsaparilla | Prefers fun sun or part shade and well drained soil. Drought tolerant once established. | Hardy evergreen climber that grows to 1m tall. Prune after flowering. | Violet pea shaped flowers appear in Winter and Spring. |
Plants not permitted
What trees should not be planted?
You are not permitted to plant the following trees species as they have invasive tree root systems, toxicity and/or their mature height is too tall.
Botanical name | Common name |
---|---|
Alnus acuminata | Evergreen alder |
Araucaria sp. | Norfolk Island & Bunya Pines |
Brachychiton Acerifolius | Illawarra Flame Tree |
Bambusa sp. | Bamboos |
Celtis sp. | Nettle-tree and Hackberry |
Casuarina sp. | Casuarinas or She-oaks (River Oak, Swamp Oak) |
Chamaecyparis/Cupressus sp. | Cedar and Cypress |
Cinnamomum Camphora | Camphor laurel |
Erythrina sp. | Coral Tree |
Ficus sp. | Figs (Moreton Bay, Hills Weeping, Rubber Tree) |
Fraxinus sp. | Ashes |
Grevillea robusta | Silky Oak |
Jacaranda Mimosifolia | Jacaranda |
Ligustrum sp. | Privets |
Liquidambar Styraciflua | Liquidambar |
Lophostemon Confertus | Brush Box |
Melia azedarach | Australian White Cedar |
Nerium Oleander | Oleander |
Phoenix Canariensis | Canary Island Date Palm |
Pinus sp. | Pine Trees |
Platanus sp. | Plane Trees |
Populus sp. | Poplars |
Quercus sp. | Oaks |
Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Frisia’ | Golden robinia, Black Locust, False Acacia |
Salix sp. | Willows |
Sapium Sebiferum | Chinese Tallow Tree |
Schefflera Actinophylla | Umbrella Tree |
Schinus Molle | Pepper Tree |
Syagrus romanzoffianum | Cocos palm |
Toxicodendron sp. | Rhus Tree |
Tipuana tipu | Rosewood, Pride of Bolivia |
Ulmus sp. | Elms (large) |
What climbers should not be planted?
You are not permitted to plant the following species of climbers due to their invasive root systems, toxicity and/or invasive stems of mature species.
Botanical name | Common name |
---|---|
Bougainvillea sp. | Bougainvilleas |
Ficus pumilla | Creeping Fig |
Hedera helix | English Ivy |
Jasminum polyanthum | Chinese Jasmine |
Lonicera japonica | Japanese Honeysuckle |
Rubus fruticsus | Blackberry |
Wisteria sp. | Wisterias |
Trees with invasive roots
The following tree species have invasive root systems that can damage sewer pipes. We will only grant approval to plant them if they are six metres or more away from a sewer, water or stormwater pipe.
Botanical name | Common name |
---|---|
Acer sp. | Maples |
Callistemon sp. | Bottlebrushes |
Eucalyptus sp. | Gum trees |
Lagerstroemia sp. | Crepe Myrtle |
Magnolia sp. | Magnolias |
Melaleuca sp. | Paperbarks |
Metrosideros Excelsus | New Zealand Christmas Tree |
Morus sp. | Mulberry (especially Black Mulberry) |
Murraya Paniculate | Orange Jasmine |
Syzygium sp. | Lillypilly |