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

While we prefer that no planting occurs within an easement, we understand the need and importance of plants for their aesthetic appeal and cooling benefits to the environment.

It is important that you consider your landscaping plans. Plant roots can damage sewer pipes, obstruct the flow and eventually cause blockage. It can also let stormwater into pipes.

Reduce root damage by:

  • planting species that are listed on our suitable planting plant list  below
  • not planting species likely to cause problems with large canopies and extensive root systems
  • planting any large shrubs and trees far away from pipes and the easement
  • no plants at all in the one metre plant-free zone above or below the easement. (See planting
    specifications  below)

Before planting anything on your property with an easement,  find out where the electrical, water and sewer pipes are located so that you stay clear of them.

For additional information, please contact us.

Planting specifications

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.

Cross section view

Cross sectional drawing indicating the width of an easement, the location of the PWC asset below the ground and the minimum distance that plants can be planted within that easement.

Plan view

Plan view drawing indicating the width of an easement, the location of the PWC asset within the easement boundary and the minimum distance that plants can be planted within that easement in plan.

Suitable plants

Northern and Top End NT Non-native species

Agave attenuata (Agave)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 1m – 2m

Alcantarea imperialis “Rubra” (Giant bromeliad)

Growth habit: Groundcover/upright rosette
Average size (height x width): 2m – 1.5m

Ananas lucidus (Ornamental red pineapple)

Growth habit: Groundcover/upright rosette
Average size (height x width): 1m x 1m

Dianella revoluta (hybrids) (Darwin gold & Silver border)

Growth habit: Groundcover grass like
Average size (height x width): 0.5m x 0.5m

Ixora coccinea Dwarf varieties (Sunkist, Pygmy pink & Pygmy white) (Dwarf Ixora)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 1m x 1.5m

Murraya paniculata Min-a-min (Dwarf Murraya)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 1m x 1m

Tabernaemontana corymbosa “Little Emerald” (Dwarf variety)(Dwarf pinwheel)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 1.5m x 1.5m

Wrightia antidysenterica (Arctic snow)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 2m x 1m

Zoysia tenuifolia (No mow grass)

Growth habit: Groundcover grass
Average size (height x width): 0.3m x 0.5m

Northern and Top End NT native species

Abelmoschus moschatus (Native Okra)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 1.5m x 0.5m

Acacia multisiliqua (Acacia)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 2m x 1.5m

Acacia nuperrima

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size(height x width): 1.5m x 1.5m

Acacia simsiin (Sim’s wattle)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 2m x 1.5m

Acacia wickhamii (Wickham's Wattle)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 1.5m x 1.5m

Acrostichum speciosum (Mangrove fern)

Growth habit: Groundcover clumping
Average size (height x width):

Bossiaea bossiaeoides (Holly-leaved pea flower)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 2m x 1.5m

Carex appressa (Sedge)

Growth habit: Groundcover/grass
Average size (height x width): 1m x 1m

Canavalia rosea

Growth habit: Groundcover low creeper
Average size (height x width): .5m x 3m

Chrysopogon elongatus (Tall Tamil grass)

Growth habit: Groundcover/grass
Average size(height x width): 2m x 1.5m

Crotalaria verrucosa (Blue-flower rattlepod)

Growth habit: Groundcover
Average size (height x width): 1m x 0.5m

Cymbopogon bombycinus (Native lemon grass)

Growth habit: Groundcover/grass
Average size (height x width): 1m x 1m

Dianella odorata (Native flax Lily)

Growth habit: Groundcover
Average size (height x width): 0.5m x 0.5m

Ectrosia leporina (Hare’s-Foot Grass)

Growth habit: Groundcover/grass
Average size (height x width): 0.5m x 0.5m

Gardenia psidioides (Glennie River)

Growth habit: Groundcover
Average size (height x width): 0.5m x 3m

Grevillea angulata (Holly-leaf grevillea)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 2m x 1.5m

Grevillea dryandri (Dryander’s Grevillea)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size(height x width): 1.5m x 1.5m

Grevillea formosa (Mt Brockman Grevillea)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 1m x 2m

Grewia retusifolia (Emu berry)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size(height x width): 1.5m x 2m

Ipomoea pes-caprae (Beach Morning Glory)

Growth habit: Groundcover low creeper
Average size (height x width): 0.5m x 3m

Lepironia articulata (Rush)

Growth habit: Groundcover/grass
Average size (height x width): 1.5m x 1.5m

Lithomyrtus retusa (Myrtella)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 1.5m x 1.5m

Lomandra longifolia (Mat rush)

Growth habit: Groundcover/grass
Average size (height x width): 1m x 1m

Melastoma malabathricum (Native Lasiandra)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 2m x 1.5m

Stenochlaena palustris (Climbing Fern)

Growth habit: Groundcover
Average size (height x width): 1m x 3m

Tephrosia rosea

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 1.5m x 1.5m

Themeda triandra (Kangaroo grass)

Growth habit: Groundcover/grass
Average size (height x width): 1.5m x 1m

Vitex rotundifolia (Beach Vitex)

Growth habit: Groundcover
Average size (height x width): 0.5m x 3m

Central and southern NT Non-native species

Agave attenuata (Agave)

Growth habit: Groundcover
Average size (height x width): 1m x 2m

Buddleia alternifolia (Buddleia)

Growth habit: Shrub- small tree
Average size (height x width): 3m x 3m

Dietes bicolour (Fortnightly Lily)

Growth habit: Groundcover- lily
Average size (height x width): 1m x 1m

Dietes grandiflora (Wild Iris)

Growth habit: Groundcover- lily
Average size (height x width): 1m x 1m

Gaura lindheimeri (Butterfly bush)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 1m x 1.5m

Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 1m x 1.5m

Plumbago auriculata (Plumbago)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 2m x 3m

Rosa spp. (Rose)

Growth habit: Shrub/Groundcovers
Average size (height x width): 1.5m x 1.5m

Central and southern NT native species

Acacia spondylophylla (Curry wattle)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 1m x 3m

Acacia bivenosa (Two veined wattle)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 2m x 3m

Acacia hilliana (Flying Saucer bush)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 1m x 1.5m

Anigozanthos spp. (Kangaroo paw)

Growth habit: Groundcover/grasslike
Average size (height x width): 1.5m x 1.5m

Calandrinia balonensis (Broad-leaf- parakeelya)

Growth habit: Groundcover
Average size (height x width): 0.5m x 0.5m

Callistemon “Little John” (Callistemon)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 1m x 1.5m

Carex spp. (Sedge)

Growth habit: Groundcover/grass
Average size (height x width): 1m x 1m

Carpobrotus glaucescens (Pigface)

Growth habit: Groundcover
Average size (height x width): 0.5m x 2m

Crotolaria eremaea subsp. strehlowii (Desert rattlepod)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 1m x 1m

Cymbopogon ambiguus (Native Lemon Grass)

Growth habit: Groundcover/ grass
Average size (height x width): 1m x 1m

Dipteracanthus australasicus subsp. australasicus (Native petunia)

Growth habit: Groundcover
Average size (height x width): 0.5m x 1.5m

Enchylaena tomentosa (Ruby saltbush)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 1m x 1.5m

Eremophila christophori (Dolomite fuchsia)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 2m x 2.5m

Eremophila maculata subsp. maculata (Spotted fuchsia)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width):
2m x 2m

Eremophila ovata (Krichauff Ranges Fuchsia)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 0.5m x 2m

Eremophila polyclada (Flowering lignum)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 1m x 3m

Eremophila alternifolia (Narrow leaf fuchsia)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 1.5mx 2m

Eremophila macdonnellii (MacDonnell Ranges Fuchsia)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 2m x 3m

Frankenia cordata (Sea Heath)

Growth habit: Groundcover
Average size (height x width): 0.5m x 2m

Gossypium sturtianum (Sturt’s desert rose)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 1.5m x 2m

Grevillea “Bronze Rambler” (Grevillea)

Growth habit: Groundcover
Average size (height x width): 0.5m x 1m

Grevillea “Pryors Hybrid” (Grevillea)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 2m x 2m

Grevillea thelemanniana (Spider flower)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 0.5m x 1.5m

Indigophera basedowii (Showy Indigo)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 1m x 2m

Ipomoea costata (Rock morning glory)

Growth habit: Groundcover/vine
Average size (height x width):

Lomandra longifolia (Mat rush)

Growth habit: Groundcover/grass
Average size (height x width): 1m x 1m

Melaleuca incana nana (Velvet cushion)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 1m x 2m

Pilotus exaltatus (Pink Mulla Mulla)

Growth habit: Groundcover/grass
Average size (height x width): 1m x 1m

Senna artemisioides subsp. atremisioides (Silver Cassia)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size(height x width): 2m x 3m

Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia (Desert Cassia)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size (height x width): 2m x 2m

Stemodia viscosa (Sticky Blue Rod)

Growth habit: Groundcover
Average size (height x width): 0.5m x 0.5m

Swainsona formosa (Sturt’s Desert Pea)

Growth habit: Groundcover
Average size (height x width): 0.5m x 2m

Themeda triandra (Kangaroo grass)

Growth habit: Groundcover/grass
Average size (height x width): 1.5m x 1m

Triodia species (Spinifex)

Growth habit: Groundcover/grass
Average size(height x width):
1m x 1.5m

Westringia fruiticosa (Coastal Rosemary)

Growth habit: Shrub
Average size(height x width): 2m x 2m