Council's new Verge Garden and Adopt-a-Spot Policy and Guidelines make it possible for residents to enhance the verges next to their home.
Verge gardens
Verge gardens can provide many environmental benefits and create more liveable spaces for our communities. More diverse plantings on verges helps increase biodiversity and green corridors and can help to reduce the urban heat island effect. It may also offer residents a chance to engage with other people in their neighbourhood and contribute to the local community.
Verges (also referred to as nature strips) are public land and are used for many purposes from putting the bins out to providing important underground infrastructure. Residents must get Council permission before gardening on the verge so that we can keep the verge safe for everyone in the community.
If you are interested in establishing and maintaining a garden on the verge outside your home, check out the Verge Garden and Adopt-a-spot Policy and Guidelines. When you have thoroughly read and planned for your verge garden, complete the Verge Garden Application Form. Please contact urbanecology@innerwest.nsw.gov.au if you have any questions.
Please read the Verge Garden and Adopt-a-Spot Policy and Guidelines first, then submit an application using the form link below.
Adopt-a-Spot
Council's Adopt-a-Spot program allows community groups, schools, businesses, and individuals to enhance and take care of a nominated area of Council managed land other than verges or community gardens.
Adopt-a-Spot activities might include gardening, habitat creation, wildlife watching or citizen science projects.
Before commencing an Adopt-a-Spot, residents must register their proposed Adopt-a-Spot idea and meet with Council's Urban Ecology Team to discuss the proposal.
Adopt-a-Spot register
Below is a list of approved Adopt-a-Spot garden locations. Check back soon for further updates.
- Yeend Street, Birchgrove
- Mort Bay Corner, Birchgrove
- Ruby Street, Marrickville
- Marrickville Hardcourt Tennis Club
- Wilford Lane, Newtown
- AB Crofts, Marrickville
- Gambling Creek, Lewisham
- Ryan Street, Lilyfield
Miwa Gawaian Living Streets Verge Garden Competition
The Miwa Gawaian* Living Streets Verge Garden Competition is now in its second year! All registered gardens are automatically entered into the competition.
*Miwa Gawaian – traditional name of the waratah flower.
