Verge Garden Assistance
We encourage residents to develop and maintain verge gardens to provide a range of social, environmental, and economic benefits to the community. The City provides a number of annual schemes with thanks to Waterwise Greening Co-funding, which assist residents to create a successful verge garden including:
1. Native Plant Subsidy Scheme
Set your reminder for May being the Native Plant Subsidy Scheme!
At the City of Fremantle, we promote planting local native species in your garden as a great way to enhance our biodiversity; plus, they require less water, nutrients, and maintenance.
The City along with the Water Corporation Greening Co-funding Scheme encourages residents to purchase up to 20 low-cost native plants from APACE WA during May or until stocks run out.
Please fill in this application form prior to 30 April 2024.
When: The subsidy scheme starts on Wednesday, 1 May to the end of month
Subsidised Plants: Approximately $2.50/plant, normally priced at $5 each (while stocks last)
Limits: Purchase up to 20 plants/household
Eligibility: Please bring proof of address as we need to verify eligibility (ie: driver's license and utility bill)
Payment: EFTPOS ONLY
Location: 1 Johannah St, North Fremantle
APACE Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 8am - 2:30pm | Saturday in the month of May: 8am - 12:00pm
2. Alternative Materials Scheme
The City encourages the use of native plants and organic mulch on verges through its Alternative Materials Scheme.
To apply for the use of special materials (eg hardscapes, bollards, boulders, furniture, or structures) please complete the online form.
3. Verge Garden Workshops
The Verge Garden Workshops will aim to provide City of Fremantle residents with the most up-to-date knowledge on preparing and planting a verge garden that benefits themselves, their neighbours, and the streetscape. These workshops will take place at local community centres across the City, run by industry professionals who are passionate advocators of the benefits of verge gardens and canopy cover for streetscapes. Workshops will be advertised on social media and the City of Fremantle website.
Tips to create a sustainable verge
Check out this handy information booklet on creating a native verge garden or view the City's Verge Garden Policy.
Free Mulch
Mulching is one of the many easy ways you can develop a water-wise native garden. Please keep the mulch well maintained and ensure it does not spill on the footpath or road as it can affect drainage infrastructure.
Residents are able to collect free mulch from the Fremantle Recycling Centre (subject to availability).
Free Street Trees
Fremantle residents can apply to have a street tree planted on their verge at no cost to the property owner. Once an application for street tree has been received by our parks and landscape team, they will undertake inspections which will include your verge during the following April and May and then talk to you about what is most suitable for your verge.
Planting will only occur between April and July each year to ensure your tree will survive. To request a tree simply complete the e-services (Parks & Landscape) request online, or contact us at 1300 MY FREO.
Verge Mowing
The City will continue to mow arterial road verges, bus route road verges and identified hazardous road verges. These will all be services at a frequency of 6 times per year.
All verges are City property however it is the residents responsibility to maintain it.
View our Parks and Verges FAQs.