Overgrown and Unsightly Premises

Overgrown premises
Unsightly premises
Prevention
How does Council deal with overgrown and unsightly premises?

The Gladstone Region is a great place to live. Residents have a responsibility to keep their properties (vacant, residential and commercial) neat and tidy to improve the appearance of our community, remove places for vermin to breed, reduce health risks and be prepared for storm season. An overgrown or unsightly property can be both a nuisance and a danger to neighbours and the community.

Overgrown premises

Gladstone Regional Council defines “Overgrown” as vegetation (grass) that affects the visual amenity of the allotment (over 0.4 metres in height) and/or is likely to attract reptiles. Problems caused by overgrown land may include:

It can create a visual eyesore
It may impede the public’s access to footpaths and streets
It becomes a breeding ground or a resting place for vermin
Can increase the risk of disease from mosquitoes
May obstruct traffic control devices and pose a safety hazard to pedestrians and drivers
It can create a fire hazard.

Unsightly premises

Gladstone Regional Council defines “Unsightly” as objects or materials that are brought on to, or allowed to accumulate on, an allotment causing its visual amenity to be seriously affected. Unsightly objects may include:

Discarded or disused machinery
Second-hand material
Derelict vehicles
Old white goods
Building materials
Household waste.

Prevention

Here are a few tips on how to take pride in the appearance of your home:

Store goods out of sight in your garage or shed
Put your rubbish out weekly. Take advantage of Council’s kerbside collection service for general waste and recycling and the free green waste disposal at your local waste transfer station
Store objects or materials out of view and neatly stacked but ensure they do not harbour vermin
Dispose of old vehicles and machinery – some metal recyclers may collect and remove them free of charge
Cut or slash overgrown vegetation regularly and dispose of it responsibly, such as composting in an appropriate compost bin
Organise for someone to come and maintain your yard if you are going away for a period of time or the premises is vacant.

How does Council deal with overgrown and unsightly premises?

Council regulates a range of potential nuisances relating to overgrown and unsightly conditions on private property under its Local Law No 3 – Community and Environmental Management 2011.

If we receive a complaint about an overgrown or unsightly property, we will commence investigation which includes:

The premises will be inspected
Council will provide notice to the landowner to remedy the breach
If the breach is not remedied, Council will issue an Enter and Clear Notice to appropriately treat the overgrown or unsightly premises (at the property owners’ expense)

Please note additional penalties may apply to the landowner for non-compliance.