The Shire recently revised their Urban and Rural Permissible Verge Treatment Policies merging them into one concise Policy, which Council adopted on 18 November 2024.
The Urban and Rural Verge Policy and associated Guidelines provide direction in the maintenance and development of road verges within the Shire.
It also applies to new verge treatments or changes to existing verges. The Policy is not retrospective and existing compliant verge treatment can remain.
To find out more about the Policy and Guidelines please view the documents below. You may also refer to the list of Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of this page for some helpful information.
What is a verge?
The verge is classified as the area between the edge of a road (kerb) and adjacent property boundary. Verges are owned by the Crown but is under the management of the Shire. Street verges provide a buffer between the road and the private property, where public facilities such as footpaths, bus stops and parking bays may be placed, and accommodate essential services such as power, water, and communications.
The verge width varies from property to property. The Shire’s online mapping tool can assist residents in locating their private property boundaries.
What type of verge do I have?
Urban Verge - an urban property applies to property sizes in areas zoned R5 and above (properties less than 2000m2 in size) and are predominately located within built up areas.
Rural Verge - a rural property applies to properties that exceed 2000m2 in size and is predominately found in non-built-up areas.
The Policy applies to all Urban and Rural areas of the Shire. Verge management for commercial and industrial verges are excluded from this Policy, and further guidance can be sought through the Shire’s Development Application Process.
Why do we need a Verge Policy or Verge Guidelines?
Verges are located on public land, designated for services like drainage, power and communications. Ensuring the safety, access and appearance of the verge is important.
The Verge Policy and Guidelines outlines, who is responsible for what, what works and infrastructure can occur, what are acceptable and unacceptable verge treatments, ensures accessibility and safety, and protects and increases street trees.
Who is responsible for the Verge?
The Shire encourages property owners or occupiers to look after their verge in front of their homes, including corner side verges. They are responsible for the gardens, lawns, reticulation, and maintenance of verges adjacent to their properties. Residents are also responsible for the design and establishment of new verge treatments, and for watering street trees, if required.
The Shire is responsible for the planting and maintenance of all street trees, remnant vegetation and the maintenance (mowing and weed control) of any road and drainage infrastructure. The Shire retains the right to undertake works in the road verge including construction, maintenance, mowing pruning, pest and weed control and any other action as determined.
Why should I maintain the verge when it belongs to the Shire?
It is accepted practice throughout Australia for property owners to establish and maintain the verge adjacent to their property.
What are the benefits of maintaining and caring for my verge?
There are many positive aspects of looking after your verge. This can include social, environmental, and economic benefits including:
- increased habitat and food sources for fauna and birds
- cooler air temperatures around houses due to lawns, plants, and trees
- property values increase in areas landscaped and well looked after.
- visually appealing, promotes walkable safe neighbourhoods.
- increase social interactions and outdoor activity which is good for mental and overall health.
- improved stormwater infiltration
I want to improve my verge. Where do I start?
It is best to plan what you would like to do within the constraints of the Policy and by following the Guidelines. Consider all aspects of your verge site including vehicle sight lines, the current services that maybe impacted (consult ‘Before you Dig’ to locate any services below and above ground), access needs including pedestrians, mail delivery, bin placement and emergency vehicle parking, tree locations and plant selection.
What type of verge improvements can I install?
The Shire encourages those residents who wish to develop their verges. Residents who follow the design and policy conditions can install the following verge treatments without prior Shire approval; waterwise gardens, lawns, edible gardens, organic mulch, reticulation and using permeable hardstand acceptable materials.
The maximum hardstand allocation for the verge type will also need to be considered.
Where on my verge can I install my improvements?
Urban and rural verges have different requirements depending on current infrastructure and required setbacks. It is best to consult the Guidelines for further information.
What type of plants are the best for my verge?
Locally native plants are best and tend to be hardy, waterwise and suited to WA’s soil and weather conditions. Waterwise native gardens aid biodiversity, reduce water use and cool the surrounding area. If using non-native plants ensure they are drought resistant and are not identified as a weed species.
When planning your verge, ensure you consult the Guidelines for design and policy considerations.
What is not allowed as part of my verge improvement?
Verge treatments not allowed include:
- Poisonous, widely allergenic, thorny or pest or declared weed plant species
- Retaining walls, raised garden beds, rocks or posts
- Artificial turf
- In situ concrete or any asphalt material (crossovers and footpaths are excluded)
- Compacted materials such as limestone, gravel or blue metal fines (permitted for rural verges only)
- Loose materials such as sawdust, crumbled rubber or crushed brick
- Loose material such as gravel and blue metal (permitted for rural verges only)
- Private infrastructure such as letterboxes, water metres and electrical wiring
Why are the above treatments not allowed on my verge?
Verges need to be safe, and free of tripping or other hazards. Some of the above materials increase stormwater runoff, contaminate waterways, as well as increasing the urban heat island effect.
What if I want to pave a larger area than is allowed?
The Shire can provide permission for hardstand installation that exceeds the maximum allocation for your verge area.
Written approval will need to be requested using the Verge Treatment Variation Application Form. The Shire will evaluate each site to determine whether excess paving or hardstand is appropriate, considering existing infrastructure, in ground services, impact on surrounding trees or sight lines.
What if I have a verge treatment that isn't mentioned in the Policy or Guidelines?
The Shire can provide permission for verge treatments not mentioned in the Policy or Guidelines.
Written approval will need to be requested using the Verge Treatment Variation Application Form. The Shire will evaluate and assess the variation alongside the objectives and the intent of the Policy.
What if I already have a verge treatment that is not allowed?
The Policy only applies to new verge treatments or changes to existing verges. The Policy is not retrospective and existing compliant verge treatment can remain.
What happens if I install a verge treatment that is not allowed?
Non-Compliance with the verge policy could result in enforcement action in accordance with the provisions of the Public Places and Local Government Property Local Law 2019.
Initially, a request will be made in writing to remove the non-compliant treatment. If this does not occur, the Shire may take action to remove the treatment and recover the costs from the property owner responsible. In extreme cases, prosecution may result in a fine. If a verge treatment is a type that may be considered under the provisions for variations of the policy, then a retrospective application may be made for a variation to the verge policy.
I am concerned about fire risk to my property from my rural verge. What can I do?
Rural verges can require careful management of fuel loads to minimise the threat from fire. Landowners are encouraged to consider the verge adjoining their properties as a part of their land’s overall fuel management plan. Activities such as slashing, the reduction of leaf litter and removal of fallen branches are acceptable methods to address the fuel load.
Although it is not encouraged, Verge Burning Permits can be applied for through the Shire. Written approval must be received from the Shire and permit authorised by the local Fire Control Officer.
I want to remove existing vegetation or a street tree from my verge. What can I do?
Any proposed clearing of native vegetation or street trees within the verge will require permission from the Shire as well as a possible clearing permit from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER).
In addition, rural verges may be home to threatened ecological communities and protected native vegetation, meaning that further permission may be required by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA). Any unauthorised clearing is classed as unlawful.
Street trees, even in rural settings, are considered property of the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale and the Shire’s approval is required to remove or alter trees.
Can I undertake works on my rural verge that has remnant vegetation?
Any proposed work on verges containing remnant vegetation requires the submission of a Verge Treatment Variation Application Form and approval in writing from the Shire. This ensures the protection of possible threatened native vegetation.
In most cases, any activities that will disturb remnant vegetation will not be approved, unless there are serious mitigating circumstances as determined by the Shire.