Retiree goes to war with Mornington Peninsula Shire council after he turned his street’s nature strip into a garden – now he faces an $8,000 fine

A retiree who planted agapanthus on the nature strip of his beachside property has clashed with the local council after being told he faces an $8,000 fine.

Neil McPherson, known as ‘Mac’ to locals, has planted a row of agapanthus plants in front of his home on the Mornington Peninsula in Melbourne’s south-east for the past six years.

The 79-year-old, who “meticulously” cares for the leafy greens popular in many Australian homes, now faces a $7,692 fine if he does not remove them.

Mornington Peninsula Shire Council says aggies are “illegal” and cannot be placed on the footpath, which is part of council land.

“They want to get rid of the aggies on the peninsula, well that will never happen in my lifetime or my grandson’s lifetime, I mean they’re just everywhere,” Mr McPherson told A Current Affair.

“I love aggies,” he said.

The controversy began when McPherson and his wife asked the city for a permit to build a garage.

When a city inspector visited his property to take a look at the area where the structure would be built, took a photo of the aggies along the sidewalk.

“They sent out an enforcement notice saying this is against the law and that’s how it all started,” Mr McPherson said.

The council ordered him to remove the trees by March or pay the hefty fine.

McPherson said he has stood his ground and will not give up without a fight.

“It was shocking, it’s just a joke and I’m not going to give in,” he said.

McPherson maintains his nature boat is among dozens of areas in his neighborhood and on the Mornington Peninsula where hundreds of aggies are planted.

He said the plants are on council-managed nature strips elsewhere, calling the ruling “ridiculous” and “dictatorial”.

“Every argument they’ve put forward is a complete lie, it’s just pathetic,” he said.

McPherson has planted 27 trees on the outside of the fence and 40 on the inside, making sure to care for them carefully.

His exploits in the garden have drawn praise from his neighbors, who said he has done a wonderful job caring for the plants.

McPherson was dealt a new blow by the council, which also ordered him to remove a wheelchair-accessible path he built in front of his home.

He faces a fine of more than $15,000.

The city council said in a statement to the ACA that the plants and path were built without its approval.

“No fines have been issued, but Mr. McPherson has been asked to remove the nature strip landscaping off his property,” they said.

‘It didn’t take the Shire six years to issue a compliance notice. “We responded to this issue as soon as it was reported to us.”

WhatsNew2Day has contacted Mornington Peninsula Shire Council for further comment.