Millicent Spencer
Louis Polgar’s award winning front garden is known by locals as the “Doreen Botanical Gardens”, but after Mr Polgar was issued with a notice to comply with local laws, his garden is under threat.
Whittlesea council issued Mr Polgar with two notices to comply, demanding the hobby gardener comply with clause 10.10(2) of the local laws which reads a person must not interfere with any surface of the nature strip.
Mr Polgar said after winning gold for best front garden in 2013 and bronze in 2017, a notice to comply from Whittlesea council came as a shock.
“We are upset and frustrated, why after all these years is the nature strip is a concern,” Mr Polgar said.
“The pebbles and native plants have been there since 2009.
“I cannot rip up my native plants that I have spent money on and planted.”
In addition to the pebbles, Mr Polgar was also instructed to remove planter boxes which he had placed on the nature strip.
“I placed the planter boxes to grow herbs and veggies to provide a free community garden since COVID times are a bit hard so I like to help and assist the local community,” he said.
“This hurts me greatly that I have to remove the planter boxes.”
Mr Polgar said residents have already asked questions about the modifications he has made to his nature strip.
“Last night when removing the last planter box local residents asked, ‘why are they being removed?”
“I explained council send me letters to remove them along with my pebbles [and] the residents could not believe this and were a bit angry and bemused.
Mr Polgar said he is disappointed that the council has not consulted with him regarding the nature strip.
“I am a passionate gardener and I love native plants,” he said.
City of Whittlesea director planning and development Justin O’Meara said the council received a compliant about the Doreen nature strip and when officers inspected it they found items that were not permitted.
“We issued a notice to comply which requires the nature strip to be restored back to a grass surface and the removal of all prohibited and dangerous items, including an unregistered box trailer parked unlawfully on the roadway,” he said.
“While council prefers nature strips to consist of grass and/or council provided trees, we do currently support some alternatives providing they are safe.
“Pebbles, stones, crushed rock and planter boxes are not permitted for community safety reasons.”
Mr O’Meara said the council is about to start a review of the local laws and residents will have the opportunity to provide feedback on topics including nature strips.
