Footpaths, Crossovers & Naturestrips

Understand how footpaths, crossovers and naturestrips are managed across the Rural City of Wangaratta to support safe, accessible and well-maintained public spaces.

If you notice a hazard or defect on a footpath or crossover, please submit a request online or contact Council’s Customer Service team on (03) 5722 0888.

Footpaths

The Rural City of Wangaratta maintains footpaths across the municipality to help people move around safely and easily. Footpaths are grouped into three categories based on how they are used:

Category 3 – High Use Areas
Footpaths in busy locations such as the Wangaratta CBD, schools, hospitals, libraries and community centres.
Category 2 – Low Use Areas
Footpaths in neighbourhoods that provide access to homes and local streets, with lower levels of pedestrian traffic.
Category 1 – Recreational Paths
Shared paths, rail trails, walking tracks and bike paths used for recreation, exercise and commuting.

Council Responsibility

Council regularly inspects footpaths to identify and fix issues. Footpaths in busy areas are inspected every 12 months, while low use and recreational paths are inspected every 2 years. Common issues such as uneven surfaces, cracks, potholes and overgrown vegetation are repaired according to the priorities and timeframes set out in Council's Road Management Plan.

Residents' responsibility

Residents are responsible for keeping footpaths clear of overhanging and overgrown vegetation.

Tree overhangs must have a minimum clearance of 2.5 metres above the footpath.
All other plants and personal items must be kept within property boundaries and not extend onto the footpath.

This helps keep pathways safe and accessible for everyone.

New Footpaths

Footpaths are generally constructed on one side of the road. New footpaths built by developers as part of new subdivisions and must meet Council's infrastructure standards. Until a new footpath is officially handed over to Council and added to its asset register, it remains the responsibility of the developer or landowner.

Vehicle Crossovers

A vehicle crossover is the part of your driveway that connects your property to the road, including the section between the road and your property boundary.

Maintenance responsibilities are shared:

Property owners are responsible for maintaining the vehicle crossover.
Council is responsible for the section of the crossover that crosses a public footpath, where it is reasonably required for public use.

If you want to build a new crossover or make changes to an existing one, you must apply for a Works in Road Reserve Permit.

Fees apply to cover inspection and administration costs.

Nature strips

Nature strips are the areas between the road and footpath, often covered with grass, trees or other landscaping. These areas are generally not maintained by Council unless they are part of a specific landscaping or infrastructure project.

Council is not required to regularly inspect or repair nature strips, including grassed areas and tree plots. However, Council may take action if a nature strip presents an immediate and serious risk to public safety.