Vibrant Verges Grant Program
We recognise that greening our streets not only beautifies our streetscapes, but also helps to keep our city cool.
Our Vibrant Verges Program provides financial assistance to property owners to support them in developing and maintaining their property verge.
What is a verge?
A verge (commonly known as a nature strip) is the Council owned area of land between a property boundary and the edge of the roadway, which includes the footpath.
The maintenance of road verges has traditionally been a shared responsibility between Council and its residents.
Residents are encouraged to green their verge, which is classed as a minor development. Council approval is required to ensure that any development and plantings meet safety requirements for all street users, including children and animals.
What assistance is available?
Grant funding is available to assist in payment for activities that involve:
- Replacing existing hard surfaces with soil/loam
- Addition of mulch, soil conditioners, fertilisers and dolomite
- Installation of irrigation
- Appropriate plantings (as per Vibrant Verges Planting Guidelines).
Council will refund 50% of the cost of the agreed works up to a maximum of $1,000 per verge. There is no minimum value of works required to be eligible.
Grant funding will not apply to any work that is:
- undertaken before 'in principle approval' has been given for the reimbursement of funds
- undertaken without any necessary consent under the section 221 of the Local Government Act 1999
- goes against the:
- ongoing mulching
- pruning or removal of street tree
- development of driveway
- plantings that are declared weeds.
Who can apply for funding?
If you are a private property owner and occupier within the City of Campbelltown with a verge:
- directly out the front of your property
- adjacent to your property (you are applying to ‘adopt a verge’ and you will require the property owner's permission).
- directly out the front of the strata/community title you belong to (you will require approval from the corporate body).
How to apply
To ensure that your grant application is eligible for funding, please carefully read the Vibrant Verges Grant Guidelines and follow the process outlined below. Applicants need to receive 'in-principle approval' from Council before commencing works.
Step 1: Plan your proposed works:
- Take photos of the verge in its current state.
- Request underground services information from Before You Dig.
- Read through the Vibrant Verges Planting Guidelines to get ideas of what to plant, including what species are considered weeds and should be avoided.
- Download and complete a Road and Verge Authorisation Form (Section 221). This form provides information about required space for pedestrian and bin access, irrigation systems, traffic visibility and more.
- Draw your landscaping site plan including species you want to plant.
- Obtain quotes from contractors and/or estimations of costs for materials to undertake the works.
Step 2: Complete and submit the online application form or download and complete a printable application form and send to mail@campbelltown.sa.gov.au, attaching:
- Photos of the verge
- Photo of pensioner/concession card (if applicable)
- Completed Road and Verge Authorisation Form (Section 221)
- Landscaping site plan
- Quotes and estimations (must be less than 3 months old)
- If the verge is adjoining your property or a strata/community title, a letter from the property owner/corporate body consenting to the verge development.
Step 3: If the proposal complies with eligibility criteria and prioritised to receive available funding, Council will issue a certificate of 'In-Principle Approval' for grant funding and advise you of the amount of grant funding that will be allocated to your project.
Step 4: You would then undertake the activities in accordance with the approved documentation.
Step 5: Upon completion of the activities, you would present proof of payment to Council, provide photo(s) of the completed activities and submit Electronic Funds Transfer documentation.
We will confirm that the activities have been satisfactorily completed in accordance with the approved documentation for Council to release payment of the grant funding into your account. We may inspect and photograph verges before and after the agreed work.
Step 6: Council will then reimburse the previously agreed amount and finalise any documentation.
Application close
Applications will close when funding has been exhausted.
Further information
For further information or assistance with your application, please contact Sue, Environmental Projects Officer, on sgraham@campbelltown.sa.gov.au or 08 8366 9208 (Monday - Wednesday).