Verge rules crackdown upsets residents

Residents in the City of Joondalup are facing a crackdown on verge gardens, angering some who say they have spent thousands beautifying the council-owned land.

For months rangers have been inspecting verges across the local government area and requesting modifications or in some cases issuing notices for residents to remove offending plants or landscaping features.

Trevor Allan said he spent about $14,000 three years ago landscaping the verge of the Greenwood home he sold to daughter Megan. They had the grass pulled up and replaced with waterwise native plants.

Ms Allan this week received a notice from the council telling her she had to remove multiple big rocks that formed part of the verge garden or she would be committing an offence.

“You’re made to feel you’re a criminal when you’ve spent a lot of money beautifying the council land,” she said.

Ms Allan argued that the rocks were clearly visible to motorists or pedestrians and far enough back from the kerb to allow cars to continue to park on the verge.

Joondalup mayor Albert Jacob said the rocks had been identified as a potential trip hazard for pedestrians.

“The city enforces its local law on verge treatments to ensure they are safe and accessible, they do not interfere or compromise existing infrastructure such as drainage, power and communication lines and they do not detract from the amenity or safety of the neighbourhood,” he said.

“The city has asked Ms Allan to remove the rocks and boulders on her verge as they are deemed to be an obstruction that could potentially pose a tripping hazard for pedestrians.

“Ms Allan was first advised that the rocks and boulders needed to be removed on August 31 and has been given considerable time to take the appropriate action.”

Mr Jacob said since the city started looking at the treatment of residential verges only eight compliance notices had been served. Most residents advised that their verges needed to be changed had worked with the city to resolve it, he said.

Many Perth metropolitan councils promote or allow waterwise verge gardens but the rules about what residents can do vary.

Some councils — including the cities of Fremantle, South Perth, Vincent and Subiaco — offer incentives for people to replace lawns, ranging from discounted native plants to free mulch. Others allow vegetable gardens. Many have restrictions on plant size.