Despite being “Crown land that is under the care, control, and management of the City,” verges in the City of Gosnells are, of course, unofficially and thanklessly, the responsibility of the community to maintain.
City of Gosnells Chief Executive Officer Ian Cowie pointed out the importance of community involvement in maintaining local verges, explaining that it significantly helps manage city maintenance costs.
“If the city was to mow and maintain all verges within its boundaries, the cost would be significant and would have to be passed onto ratepayers,” Mr Cowie said.
“Local residents are encouraged to maintain the verge adjacent to their property. Most residents are willing to do this as it contributes to more attractive streetscapes,”
However, the council will intervene if a verge becomes a fire hazard during summer.
“The city will arrange for verges that are a fire hazard to be sprayed, slashed or mowed.”
Other local shires in Perth provide limited verge maintenance, like the City of Canning, which budgets $350,000 annually for unkempt verge mowing.
This service covers residential verges up to three times per year, typically between June and December when grass and weeds are actively growing.
The Canning Council advises residents to notify the city of any fire hazards and provides an online portal for reporting such concerns.
If someone is physically or financially unable to maintain the verge in front of their house in the City of Gosnells, the council says in the first instance, it would refer those people to not-for-profit agencies to assist before intervening.
“However, where no assistance is available, the city would consider other options, including removing vegetation or spraying or mowing the verge,” Mr Cowie said.
So, while the City of Gosnells strongly encourages residents to maintain verges adjacent to their property, in exceptional circumstances, it will provide support and intervene when necessary to ensure safety.
