Mildura Rural City Council is once again partnering with Greening Mildura to find out who has the best nature strips in the region.
The Nature Strip Showdown, which is returning for a second consecutive year, is a fun way for residents to get recognition for the hard work and time they put into their nature strips, all the while entering into friendly competition with other ‘green thumbs’.
Mildura Mayor, Helen Healy encouraged local residents to get involved.
“Last year’s Showdown proved highly successful, attracting dozens of entries, while crowning three worthy winners across each category,” Mayor Healy said.
“You only have to drive around most residential areas in our municipality to see examples of pristine, creative and beautifully manicured nature strips.
“It’s great to see the pride our residents take in their gardens and homes, and the amazing lengths they’ll go to keeping their nature strips looking immaculate, with razor sharp edging or perfectly pruned and maintained trees.
“The Nature Strip Showdown is a way to showcase your civic and personal pride, while entering into some light-hearted rivalry with friends and neighbours.
“It could also be just the trigger you’ve been waiting for to roll up your sleeves and get stuck into your nature strip if you think it could be improved.”
The Nature Strip Showdown is open between now and Friday 4 April in the following categories:
- Best grassed;
- Best landscaped;
- Best make-over/new subdivision.
Entries will be judged by well-known community garden and tree-planting group, Greening Mildura. Winners from each category will win a $500 Mildura City Heart gift card and bragging rights for the next 12 months.
Mayor Healy said that while the Nature Strip Showdown was primarily aimed at helping to showcase and reward local residents for their creativity and hard work, it was also a way to show what could be done to improve nature strips.
“Nature strips are in almost all of our residential areas and are one of the first things people see when they pass by your home, making them an important aesthetic element to our streets,” the Mayor said.
“There are so many different ways to look after them or change their appearance. For example, if you have a grassed nature strip, avoid parking cars on them to avoid patchy areas or developing depressions.
“Selecting the right grass to plant, or if choosing to create a landscaped nature strip with a heavier reliance on trees, trying to plant low-growing, hardy and drought resistant plants and trees can all make a difference.”
For information on each of the three categories, and to enter, visit www.mildura.vic.gov.au/naturestripcomp.
