Verge Gardening
The verge is the area between a private property boundary and the edge of a road. Verge gardening provides a range of environmental and social benefits such as increasing habitat for native flora and fauna, absorbing rainwater, reducing run-off and erosion, extending biodiversity corridors, addressing climate change impacts, beautifying the streetscape, encouraging food growing and building community connections.
Image courtesy of the Shady Lanes Project.
Council’s Verge Maintenance Policy(PDF, 356KB) and Verge Gardening Guidelines allow urban residents to garden on the verge. The guidelines outline the responsibilities of verge gardeners including consulting with neighbours, gaining approval from Council, checking for services, complying with design guidelines, selecting appropriate plants and maintaining the garden.
Read Council’s Verge Gardening Guidelines(PDF, 6MB)
To apply to put in a verge garden you will need to submit an application for a s 138 Roads Act Approval via the NSW Planning Portal. As part of this application you will need to include a plan of your proposed verge garden.
Apply
Frequently asked questions
What is a verge garden?
A verge garden is a garden planted on the verge. The verge is the area between a private property boundary and the edge of a road. It is owned by Council and is also known as a nature strip or road reserve. In the Bellingen Local Government Area all verge gardens must be approved by Council and comply with Council’s Verge Gardening Guidelines.
How do I apply to establish a verge garden?
To apply to establish a verge garden, you need to fill out an application form through the NSW Planning Portal and pay the application fee. This User Guide(PDF, 681KB) takes you through each step you will need to complete the application in the NSW Planning Portal. Once Council receives your application for a verge garden you will be sent an email explaining how to pay the application fee.
How much does it cost to apply to establish a verge garden?
The application fee to establish a verge garden is set out in Council’s Fees and Charges. For 2025/26 the application fee is $75.
Is funding available to establish my garden?
Verge gardens are funded by residents, not Council. However, verge gardens that provide an important environmental benefit (such as habitat connectivity, pollinator gardens or communal food growing) may be eligible for funding under Council’s Environment Levy Community Fund Program. Individuals are not eligible to apply for funding, however, a group of neighbours could apply together using an auspicing body. Read the Environment Levy Community Fund Guidelines to check the eligibility of your project.
What plants should I put in my verge garden?
A list of recommended native plants is provided in Council’s Verge Gardening Guidelines. Residents can select plants from this list or select their own plants provided the selections comply with the Guidelines.
What plants should I avoid in my verge garden?
Residents need to avoid invasive plants, spiky plants that could cause injury, plants that cause respiratory problems or allergies and plants that drop large volumes of slippery leaves or fruits that could create a hazard.
Can I plant trees in my verge garden?
It is not permitted for residents to plant trees in their verge garden. However, if you would like a tree incorporated into your garden you can request that Council plants a street tree. The type of tree will be selected in consultation with the applicant in accordance with Council’s Street Tree Guidelines. Please include this request in your verge garden application in the section describing your garden and on your proposed plan.
Can I establish a garden with my neighbours?
Yes, absolutely. A group of neighbours or a whole street may like to get together to design a wildlife corridor along the verge, a pollinator strip or a productive food garden to share. Council encourages residents to chat to their neighbours about possibilities.
What happens if I move?
If you move house check if the new homeowner or a neighbour wants to take it on. If not, notify Council. Council may choose to maintain the garden, ask you to return it to lawn at your own cost or remove the garden and pass the costs on to you.
What happens if my verge garden gets damaged?
Gardening in a multi-purpose public space means that verge gardens can be prone to damage from foot traffic, service works and vandalism. Gardeners must accept these risks and be prepared to fix their garden if it gets damaged.
What happens if I set up a verge garden but don't maintain it?
It is the verge gardener’s responsibility to maintain the verge garden. If your verge garden is not adequately maintained Council may direct you to maintain it or request that you remove the garden at your own cost. If you do not comply Council may conduct maintenance works or remove the garden and pass these costs onto you.
What happens if I no longer want to maintain my verge garden?
If you no longer want to maintain your verge garden check if a neighbour wants to take it on. If not, notify Council. Council may choose to maintain the garden, ask you to return it to lawn at your own cost or remove the garden and pass the costs on to you.