Adopt-a-Verge Program

Welcome to the Adopt-a-Verge program, a collaborative initiative with the Town of Victoria Park and WaterCorp that aims to transform street verge areas into beautiful native gardens. By joining forces with your neighbors, you can enjoy numerous benefits, such as greener streets, enhanced local biodiversity, and the creation of biodiversity corridors for fauna movement.

As an incentive, residents who landscape their verges using Waterwise practices may qualify for a rebate of up to $500 per property. 

The main goals of the Adopt-a-Verge program are:

  1. Reduced water usage.
  2. Increased biodiversity.
  3. Aesthetically pleasing verges.

Adopt-a-Verge criteria for verge landscaping

  • Consider lowering soil levels around the edges or the entire verge.
  • Topdressing and mulching can gradually elevate surface levels, so be mindful of finished heights exceeding kerb lines, footpaths, and crossovers.
  • Properly manage excess soil and existing turf removal and disposal.
  • Exercise caution when excavating around existing verge trees to prevent root damage, which can negatively impact their health.
  • Avoid damaging any existing services within the verge.
  • Remove or spray out existing turf and weeds well before planting to prevent reinfestation and minimize maintenance requirements.
  • Optimal planting time for Waterwise verges is between April and October.
  • Prioritize the use of Waterwise plants from the Town's Your Street Verge – Sustainable Landscaping Guide or the Water Corporation's website. Emphasize Waterwise Western Australian native plants to create an appealing streetscape and provide habitat for local fauna.
  • Avoid using turf grass as a verge treatment due to its high water consumption.
  • Only use Waterwise irrigation methods, including trickle or drip systems, sub-surface irrigation, or MP rotator nozzles instead of regular pop-up sprinkler nozzles.
  • Shrub sprays, micro-sprays, and regular pop-up sprinkler nozzles are not Waterwise and are susceptible to wind-drift.
  • In the absence of irrigation, hand watering may be necessary, especially during the first summer.
  • Apply coarse particle bark chip or shredded tree prunings to a depth of 50-100mm and ensure it remains suitably retained on the verge.
  • Avoid using fine particle mulch, as it tends to retain water and can block road drainage systems.
  • Consider using mulchnet.com as a source of affordable shredded tree prunings.
  • You can request a street tree to be planted on your verge. The Town will supply, plant, and maintain it for three years at no charge. The tree species will be selected from the Town's Tree Plan to enhance your verge garden, provide shade, and create habitat for fauna.
  • Maintain consistent soil levels around existing verge trees to avoid harming their root systems. Avoid piling mulch against tree trunks.

Participation steps

  1. Completed the verge treatment online form below and include a sketch of your plans 
  2. Await feedback regarding potential plan alterations or a letter of approval. A Council officer will conduct a site visit and take 'before' photographs.
  3. Landscape your verge according to the approved plan and notify us upon completion by submitting your photos.
  4. Maintain your new verge landscape for three months, after which a Council officer will inspect the new landscaping and take 'after' photos.
  5. You may be asked to alter some items if necessary. Once these items have been attended to, your rebate will be approved.

Verge treatment online form

I request permission to install landscaping treatment to the adjacent verge of the above property as per the sketch attached. During installation and upon completion of the work, I agree to maintain the verge treatment in accordance with the relevant local law requirements to the satisfaction of the Town of Victoria Park.*
Are you an elected member, staff of the Town or immediate family?*

Town of Victoria Park local law requirements relating to landscaping on verges:

  • No plant is to be more than 750mm when mature, or of hazardous nature (eg. thorny or poisonous);
  • Paving material (pavers only) is limited to 25% of the verge area, excluding the crossover, and, if used, is to be integrated into the soft landscaping so as not to provide an area for vehicle parking;
  • Artificial turf or synthetic grass is not permitted as a verge treatment;
  • Loose pea gravel, crushed brick or other stone aggregates are generally not permitted as verge treatments;
  • The verge treatment is not to impede pedestrian access;
  • The general level and grade of the verge is not to be altered;
  • All irrigation pipework and associated fittings are to be laid at a depth of not more than 300mm, nor less than 150mm, below ground level;
  • Mulch is to be woodchips or large-particle vegetative mulch material (please specify in sketch plan over);
  • Existing street trees are to be protected and not to be pruned or interfered with in any way without approval from the Town; and
  • Verge treatments are to be set back 1.0m from the road frontage, and if no footpath is present, a 1.5m pedestrian area must be available at the property boundary.
Would you like to be considered for the Adopt-a-Verge rebate program?*

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Plant Schedule

Irrigation method*
Mulch type*
Mulch depth*

Tips

Select larger pots eg 175mm-200mm for smaller verges, and smaller pots e.g., 140mm and tube stock for larger verges e.g., corner blocks.

Plant spacing is the distance plants should be planted apart and relates to the mature width or spread of each plant species which is usually stated on the plant tag. Plant with some overlap to eliminate gaps where weeds can grow through e.g. The plant below grows to 1.5m width, space these plants 1-1.2m apart, or for higher density planting at 0.7m spacing.

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Related Information

Street verge guidelines

Adopt-a-Verge flyer

Examples-of-paper-application

Verge treatment application form

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