Verge Incentive Fund extended for five years

A City of Marion trial to encourage residents to beautify their street verges has been such a success that Council has extended the fund for the next five years in their budget.

At a recent meeting, Councillors decided to allocate $50,000 a year to the Verge Incentive Fund, including administration costs, allowing eligible residents to apply for a rebate for up to 50 per cent of total costs incurred while improving their verges, up to a limit of $500.

Councillors also decided to change some of the criteria so households with two street frontages, for example, a house on a corner, could apply for two rebates.

The City of Marion initiated the trial in early 2022 to assist residents who wanted to improve the look of their road verge, between their property and the street.

During the trial, the City of Marion provided $20,000 in rebates to 64 residents. More than 140 additional applications have been lodged and are waiting to be processed with Council either waiting on receipts or residents are waiting for the winter planting season to start work.

The $50,000 fund aims to assist eligible City of Marion residents with the costs of improving the landscaping on council-owned road verges outside their properties.

Householders wishing to take part have to submit a Section 221 verge development application to Council outlining their proposed landscaping plan in detail.

All plans must adhere to Council’s Verge Development Guidelines and successful applications will be inspected at the end of the planting season.

Residents must submit invoices to claim reimbursement of up to 50 per cent of costs, up to a limit of $500. Costs can include soil replacement, plants, mulch, or the hire of a registered contractor to do excavation work.

More details about the fund and the application process are available HERE.

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