Council considers land to be unhealthy when one or more of the below is occurring:

• Most of the property is impacted by severely overgrown vegetation, 
• There is a build-up of waste and/or hoarding is occurring, 
• The property hasn’t been maintained for a long time,
• The property is harbouring vermin, 
• The land poses a health and safety risk to the community

Note: Snakes and other native animals are not classed as vermin. 

Residential Property - less than 2 hectares

As a property owner, you are responsible for maintaining both your property and the road verge or nature strip. 

This includes keeping these areas free from overgrown grass and vegetation, and accumulated waste. Proper maintenance helps deter pests from breeding and ensures that pedestrians can safely and freely access the footpath area.

If you own vacant land, you are still required to ensure that the property and footpath area remain in a healthy and safe way. Council also recommends installing temporary fencing to help prevent illegal dumping.

Rural Property - greater than 2 hectares

For rural properties (greater than 2ha of land), you are required to keep a minimum of a 5 metre perimeter of the property maintained and the road verge or nature strip to prevent weeds from spreading to neighbours and minimise the risk of snakes entering urban areas. 

This includes keeping these areas free from long grass, overgrown vegetation, and accumulated waste. Proper maintenance helps deter pests from breeding and ensures that pedestrians can safely and freely access footpaths.

If your property is vacant, Council recommends installing a temporary fence to help prevent illegal dumping.

If Council considers a property to be unsafe and/or unhealthy, we will contact the property owner. 

If the property poses no public health or safety risk, the property owners are encouraged to resolve the issue between themselves. 

If you're concerned about your neighbour's property, it's often best to speak with them directly. Sometimes, neighbours may not be aware of the impact the condition of their property has on others, and a respectful conversation can lead to a quick resolution.

Only licensed snake collectors can remove snakes from private properties.

Snakes and other native animals are not considered vermin. In NSW, native snakes are protected under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, and it is illegal to harm them.

For more information Snakes » Camden Council.