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Verges

Waterwise verge garden

The City of Perth encourages owners of single residential properties to install and maintain soft landscaping on the verge directly adjacent to their property to contribute to the aesthetic character of the streetscape, support biodiversity, reduce the use of impervious surfaces, incorporate water sensitive urban design principles and to meet all required safety standards. 

Developing your verge

If you would like to transform your verge please see below what treatments are permissible and what requires approval. Any development other than what is listed in the permissible categories must submitted for approval.

Permissible

  • Live turf 
  • Prostrate native ground covers with a maximum growth height of 100mm

Not permissible

  • Synthetic turf
  • Unauthorised installation of hard landscapes
  • Landscaping that has thorns, spear like leaves or plants that are known to be toxic. Landscaping that impedes sightlines and public access
  • Construction or installation of structures 
  • Construction or installation of tree houses or other play structures or equipment Tethering boats, trailers and/or any other items to street trees, street lights and/or road signs within the road reserve
  • Installation of hard landscaping elements such as borders and/or planter boxes including around existing mature street trees 
  • Long term parking and/or storage of vehicles including caravans/boats/trailers

Weed control

Weeds impact the visual amenity and presentation of the city and are perceived as ‘an indication of a city in decline.’ The City endeavours to maintain a high standard of presentation across the public realm (greenspaces and streetscapes) and implements an integrated weed management program informed by horticultural best practice to support the safety of community and the environment.

Our integrated weed management program includes manual (hand removal), mechanical (mowing/slashing), cultural (mulching), and chemical control (spot spraying). Weed management via chemical control (spot spraying) using ‘Glyphosate’ is undertaken on an as needs and targeted basis. Weed management works are seasonal, with weed germination triggered via winter rains, and summer heat. The location and timing of weed management works are considered to minimise interactions with members of the public and signage is displayed indicating that weed control works are occurring.

Herbicides are not broadcast sprayed or used intensively in City spaces, but rather applied on an as-needs basis by spot spraying, with low pressure and low volume minimising chemical use. The protective equipment that staff wear exceeds minimum requirements because their occupation involves the direct use of products.

The use of chemicals in all City operations complies with or exceeds Australian regulatory requirements as set by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA – Australia’s Chemical Regulator). Significant research including trialling alternative weed management methodologies including ‘steam’ has been undertaken. The results indicating that steam weed control is ineffective on a range of weed types, is not cost effective and would not present the city in a weed free state.

In consideration of public sentiment towards the use of ‘Glyphosate’ a weed control exemption program exists where residents can nominate ‘the verge adjacent their property to be free from chemical control’. The responsibility to maintain the verge and road gutter in a weed free state becomes that of the resident. The exemption process is based on single property nominations only

Applications for weed control exemption can be made via the Residential Weed Control Exemption form.

Check out some of our Tree Month verge transformations