Your Property
Information on the management, conservation, pruning and removal of trees and shrubs in Mosman can be found on Council's Tree Management page, while information on flora and fauna that must be controlled or removed can be found on our weeds, pests and nuisance native animals page.
Fencing
Fences make a significant contribution to the character of a street. They help conserve and enhance the neighbourhood character of specific areas in Mosman.
Council encourages sympathetic repair or reconstruction of traditional fences.
It is important that the front fence should compliment the architectural style, period and design of the residence. Materials may vary, ranging from wrought iron to brick, stone or timber, but generally, there should be a correlation between the materials used in the building and the ones used in the fence and design should be simple. Section 5 of the Mosman Residential Development Control Plan contains planning guidelines for fencing including maximum height.
It is also important to take into account the following:
- Size of the land/house
- Consistency with streetscape
- Width of the street and footpath
- Scale and proportion
- Symmetry/asymmetry
- Colour schemes
- Site's slope
If you own a heritage listed property or a property within a Heritage Conservation Area, refer to the Heritage section on this site for additional information on Council's Heritage Advisory Service and Heritage Assistance Fund.
Graffiti Solutions
See the page Graffiti and vandalism on this website.
Undergrounding of Overhead Power Lines
The process of undergrounding a section of overhead power line is known as a network connection relocation. Council has a minimal role in the works as relocation predominately involves Ausgrid assets. It can be an expensive decision and owners are responsible for all design and construction costs.
Owners planning a relocation of the overhead power line connection to their property have the responsibility to ensure all design and construction works are approved by Ausgrid and are compliant with their regulations. Relocation of an existing connection to the Ausgrid network must be designed and constructed by Accredited Service Providers (ASPs). Furthermore designers are required to be a minimum of Level 3 accreditation (ASP3) and constructors to be of Level 1 accreditation (ASP1).
If the proposed works are to impact property of Mosman Council or Roads and Maritime Services (RMS), owner/s are responsible for notifying Council and/or RMS. Where applications and/or payments are required for approval, owners are responsible for ensuring all required approvals are acquired. An ASP can be engaged to assist owners with these approvals.
Additional information regarding network connection relocation can be found at Ausgrid.
In some circumstances, if you lodge a Development Application you will be required to underground existing overhead cables. This will depend on the street you live in and more information can be found under Development Control Plans.
Gardens
Residents in Mosman can enjoy beautiful bushland, stunning harbour foreshores and an abundance of native flora and fauna. These are valuable natural assets, but they need our help if they are to thrive and continue to provide peace, quiet and enjoyment to us all. Private gardens are an important part of the local natural environment – even if they are behind fences and houses.
There are a number of easy things for you do to make your garden a great place for you and your family, and maintain the health of local bushland and Sydney Harbour.
- Use native plants to provide natural habitat and food sources for our native fauna. Council can provide information on suitable plants, or see our Guide to Native Plant Species for Mosman Gardens (1.1MB)
- Introduce a number of ‘layers’ to your garden with ground covers, climbers, shrubs, bushes and trees that provide a wide variety of habitats.
- Do not hose leaves away into the stormwater system, instead collect and compost them (and save precious water).
- Minimise the use of fertilisers by using mulch and compost.
- Minimise pesticide use by encouraging insect-eaters like birds and frogs into your garden with a pond and even (ironically) insect attracting plants like bush pea varieties.
- Minimise herbicide use by pulling weeds out or ‘folding’ the young sprouts of weeds down flat and covering them completely with mulch.
- Avoid using any chemicals during or immediately before wet weather.
- Ensure your home and property are fire safe by removing dumped vegetation and debris. Use Council's free monthly garden organics collection service – don't dump garden waste in the bush.
- Be a responsible pet owner – keep dogs on a leash and cats indoors at night.
- Conserve water by mulching your garden and only watering during the cool of the day.
Free Mulch for Residents
Residents can access Council's mulch storage facility. This facility is normally available every Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 3pm and is located at Little Ashton Park on Whiting Beach Road.
For enquiries on week days please contact Council's Team Leader Open Space and Biodiversity on 9978 4267.
Rock Faces and Retaining Walls
Throughout Mosman, many sandstone retaining walls, rock outcrops, divided roads with natural rock or sandstone block walls and cut sandstone cliff faces are identified as important character elements. In particular, these features are noted in the Balmoral, Mosman Bay, Rosherville/Wyargine, Clifton Gardens and Middle Harbour/Pearl Bay areas.
These significant rock faces and retaining walls are identified on the Mosman Maps online tool.
A clause contained within Mosman's Development Control Plans seeks to ensure protection of these rock faces and walls from inappropriate development. For residential zoned land, refer to clause 6.9 of the Mosman Residential Development Control Plan 2012.
Retaining Walls on Nature Strips
Council's nature strip policy requires residents to maintain retaining walls on nature strips if their property benefits from the structure.