City of Newcastle - Street Gardens

Street Gardens

Want to create a community street garden? Apply here to get started.

Last updated on: 30 January 2026

In this article

Street Gardens
Is your area suitable for a street garden?
Application information
What you need to provide
Application fees
Related articles
Submit application
Next steps
Time frames
Helpful links

Street Gardens

Greening our streets is more important than ever as we respond to urban heat, population growth, and climate change.

Street gardens offer many benefits, such as:

help cool the streets
support pollinators and local wildlife
encourage community connection
boost health and wellbeing
reduce and filter stormwater runoff
improve the look and feel of your street.

Is your area suitable for a street garden?

Not all locations are suitable for a street garden. Some areas may be restricted due to pedestrian safety, traffic visibility, or the presence of underground or roadside infrastructure.

Use the Community Street Garden Planning Map to:

confirm you're not in an exclusion zone
identify street tree vacancies
find your planting zone (e.g. coastal, hill slopes, flats) to help you select the right species for your neighbourhood.

Application information

Safety requirements

Street garden guidelines and suggested species

Paved or sealed surface

Street garden conditions

The margin of the garden must be treadable and flush with the footpath and must not include raised edges such as brick, timber, plastic or stone surrounds, spiky plants, stakes or fencing.
The garden must not create access or sightline barriers, present safety hazards for people using the footpath, nor impede access to any public utilities or facilities such as bus stops.
Gardening activities, plants and equipment must not impede pedestrian access to the footpath.
Planting must be carried out by hand at a depth of no more than 300mm. Mechanised tools and equipment must not be used, and care must be taken around stormwater drainage pipes and tree roots.
The garden must not pose a safety risk and must be maintained in a way that does not create water, soil or mulch run-off from the garden onto the footpath, road surface or other properties.
The garden must not result in the planting, pruning, damage or removal of street trees.
Plants must not grow higher than 500mm tall.
Groundcovers/treadable plants (nothing with any height) must be planted:
450mm in from the kerb
1000mm either side of a driveway
3000mm to a street corner
A minimum of 300mm must be kept clear between plants and power poles.
A minimum of 1200mm footpath must be allowed for pedestrian access.

Additional conditions for planter boxes

The planter box must be constructed from untreated timber, plastic or Colorbond steel.
The planter box must be between 600mm and 1200mm wide and between 600mm and 2400mm long.
The planter box must be between 450mm and 600mm high (not including plants).
The planter box must maintain at least 300mm clearance to a power pole.
The planter box must maintain at least 1000mm clearance either side of a driveway.
The planter box cannot be constructed around (enclosing) the trunk of a street tree.
The planter box must be installed above existing ground level with drainage directed to the kerb & gutter (but not across footpath surface).
The planter box should be self-wicking.
Plants must not grow higher than 500mm tall (measured from the soil level of the planter box).

What you need to provide

This section will help you prepare a complete application; however additional information may be requested after our initial review.

Garden dimensions and plant type

Front of the house

Length of garden (parallel to road) in millimetres
Width of garden (perpendicular to road) in millimetres

Kerb side

Length of garden (parallel to road) in millimetres
Width of garden (perpendicular to road) in millimetres

What you intend to plant

Native plants
Non-native annuals and other plants
Food plants (note: planter boxes with imported soil must be used for the growing of food plants)

Optional sketch or photos

Application fees

There are no fees required to submit your application.

Tree Planting - to request a tree be planted in a public place.

Submit application

Complete the application form

Apply Now

Email it to us

Enter the address of the property and the type of application (e.g.,1 Sample Street Newcastle - Street Garden Application Form) in the subject line of the email.
Send it to streetgardens@ncc.nsw.gov.au

Next steps

We will review your garden proposal to determine suitability. We will be in contact if we require any further information to process your application.
If approved, you will receive an approval email from us with any further conditions.

Time frames

Assessment and approval typically takes 28 days.

Helpful links

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Street Gardens

Street Gardens

Street Gardens

Is your area suitable for a street garden?

Application information

Safety requirements

Street garden guidelines and suggested species

Paved or sealed surface

Street garden conditions

Additional conditions for planter boxes

What you need to provide

Garden dimensions and plant type

Optional sketch or photos

Application fees

Related articles

Submit application

Complete the application form

Email it to us

Next steps

Time frames

Helpful links