Allowable planting on water and sewer easements

If you have an easement on your property you can use the area, but you must ensure we can still access the infrastructure, including underground pipes and cables.

It's important you carefully consider your landscaping plans as plant roots can damage sewer pipes, obstruct the flow and eventually cause blockage. It can also let stormwater into pipes. Root damage can be reduced by not planting species likely to cause problems,and planting trees far away from pipes. 

Before planting a tree, you should first find out where the water and sewer pipes are located so that you can stay clear of them.

For additional information, please contact us.

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The Northern Territory boasts a plethora of native plant species that have vast ornamental potential. The following is a list of suitable species recommended by Greening Australia NT for urban planting in the Top End. These trees are also suitable for planting close to sewer or water easements.

Native plants are adapted to the Australian climate, requiring less water, less fertiliser and less fuss,so you will have more time to sit back and simply enjoy your garden. By planting native flowering plants you can also attract (and help to preserve) some of the unique Australian wildlife, including birds, frogs,lizards, butterflies and native bees. These creatures will help to control insect pests in your garden and pollinate your flowers.

Botanical nameCommon nameTypeSizePlanting
Acacia  gonocarpa Shrub1 – 3mU/P+**
Acacia nuperrima Shrub1 - 3mU/P+**
Acacia simsiiSim’s WattleShrub1mU/P+*
Acacia umbellata Shrub2 – 3m UU/P+**
Acacia wickhamii Shrub1 – 3mU/P+**
Acrostichum speciosumMangrove FernFern1.5mU/P*
Blechnum orientaleBlechnum FernFern1 – 1.5mU/P*
Breynia cernuaBreyniaTree1 – 5mU/P*
Calytrix browniiWhite Turkey BushShrub1 – 4mU/P
Clerodendrum floribundum Tree1 – 4mU/P*
Colocasia esculentaTaro Herb1.5mU/P**
Cycas armstrongiiNative CycadCycad2 – 4mU/P*
Dicranopteris linearisHay Rake FernFern2mU/S*
Dracaena angustifoliaNative DracaenaShrub1 – 5mU/P**
Drynaria quercifoliaRock FernFern U/P*
Epipremnun amplissimumRhaphidophoraClimber U *
Grevillea decurrens Tree3 – 5mU/P
Grevillea dryandriDryander’s Grevillea Shrub0.5 – 2mU/P**
Grevillea formosaMt Brockman GrevilleaShrub0.5mU/P**
Grevillea longicuspis Shrub 0.3 – 1mU/P*
Grevillea refractaSilver leaf GrevilleaTree3 – 5mU/P
Grevillea wickhamiiHolly GrevilleaShrub2mU/P*
Hibbertia spHibbertia HerbHerb0.3mU/P*
Ixora tomentosaNative IxoraShrub1.5 – 3mU/P
Melastoma affineNative Lasiandra ShrubShrub1 – 2m U/P*
Micromelum minutumMicromelumShrub3 – 7mU/P*
Murraya paniculata
var. ovatifolioata		MurrayaShrub1 – 5mU/P*
Myrtella phebaloidesMyrtellaShrub 3mU/P*
Nelumbo nuciferaLotus LilyAquatic
Herb		 U/P*
Nymphaea violaceaWater LilyAquatic
Herb		 U/P***
Nymphoides hydrocharoidesYellow Snowflake LilyAquatic
Herb		 U/P
Osbeckia australianaOsbeckiaShrub1.5mU/P*
Polymeria ambiguaCreeping PolymeriaProstrate
Herb		 U*
Regelia puniceaRegeliaShrub2 – 3m U*
Scaevola sericeaScaevolaShrub2 – 3mU/S**
Stenochlaena palustrisClimbing FernFern U/P*
Verticordia cunninghamianaVerticordiaShrub1.5 – 3mU/P*

Key:

U Urban usage (gardens, streetscapes)+ Short lived species (6 yrs)
P Parkland (parks, rural properties)* Species of notable ornamental
S Stabilisation (erosion control)** Widely cultivated in the Top End landscape

Non-native plants and un-listed natives are not allowable within Power and Water easements.

When planting trees or shrubs in a sewer or water easement ensure you allow one (1) metre plant-free zone over the centre line allowing Power and Water free access to the water or sewer main line for repairs and maintenance.

This will result in less damage to pipes and less damage to the plants when Power and Water has to repair the pipes.

Image of allowable planting distance from water and sewer easements

REF:
Top End Native Plants – J. Brock 1993
Checklist of Preferred Common Names of Plants of the NT – B.W. Strong 1987