Residential Road Verges

All verge treatments and landscaping need to be approved by the Shire of Dardanup. Installation should not commence until written permission is received from the Chief Executive Officer.

Infr CP057 - Non-Standard Verge Treatment Policy

Form 147 - Application Form - Verge Treatment

Non-Standard Verge Treatments Information Sheet

Verge treatments will be assessed on an individual basis against the following criteria:

  • Safety
  • Drainage
  • Water Conservation
  • Ongoing Maintenance
  • Appearance
  • Impact on others (including public services)

Safety

No part of the verge treatment shall present a hazard that is assessed as being of a medium risk or greater to a pedestrian, cyclist, motorist or other user of the road environment.

Hazards include but are not limited to the following examples:

  • Trip Hazards - sudden depressions, protruding (ie. Not flush) garden edging, kerbing, etc.
  • Slip Hazards - loose aggregate and stones on hard surfaces etc.
  • Obstructions - stakes, pickets, walls, etc.

Designs shall take into account the sight lines of vehicles using nearby intersections, crossovers and driveways.

Consideration should be made for pedestrians, gophers, bikes, etc. An allowance should be made for a clear zone of 2m wide if no footpath is provided.

Materials used shall be a different colour to the existing road surface to provide definition and reduce the chance of the verge being confused as part of the road.

Planting within 6m of an intersection is restricted to grass, ground covers, low shrubs or similar plant; and no plants may be planted between 6m and 10m of an intersection that exceeds or may exceed 750mm in height.

Drainage

Stormwater run-off should not affect any other property, roadway or adjoining verge. If non-permeable materials are used as on any part of the verge treatment, drainage must be accounted for in the design.

Water Conservation and Environment

Council encourages designs to incorporate planting of drought tolerant and water sensitive plants and ground covers. Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) principles are encouraged. When considering planting options allowances for carbon absorption and bio filtration, etc should be considered.

Ongoing Maintenance

The ongoing maintenance requirements will form an important part of Council’s assessment. The assessment will consider the overall maintenance requirements of the treatment as a whole, including pruning, stabilisation of hardstand areas, etc. All verge treatments must be maintained by the adjoining property owner to ensure any approved treatments do not become unacceptable. Where there is a change in ownership the new owner will become responsible for any ongoing maintenance.

Appearance

Proposed works will be assessed on their aesthetic qualities and should be designed with the local streetscape in mind.

Impact on Others and/or Services

Proposed treatments should take into account the impact on neighbours and service providers. For example:

  • Planting low growing plants under power lines
  • A minimum clearance of 3m around any letterbox

Other requirements to be considered by the applicant include: