Really boring policy! I can't find photos of the non-conforming gardens but I bet they have some interest. It seems to me that the policy is not really interested in developing verge gardens, because of the severe limitations on planting location and types/heights of plants.
My local council (East Gippsland Shire Council, - EGSC) has a similar approach to design but are more flexible. While they don't have a written Verge Garden Policy, they are supportive and deal with every application or complaint on a case by case basis.
EGSC also puts Verge Gardens under the all encompassing unit 'Road Reserves'. I feel this is not acknowledging the emerging importance of this style of gardening in terms of re-building habitat and environment, and building community connections.
I have put a report on the meeting with Council staff , and my own personal DREAM Verge Policy documents on my substack: https://jjclarke135.substack.com/.
The non-compliant gardens are in the pdf document - link to it on the webpage above. Where possible I avoid putting links to pdf documents because they often lack context and the addresses can change without notice.
There is much to learn from the restrictions on policies, especially for people who are having trouble getting their council to provide a policy. Understanding and respecting each party's concerns and reasons for resistance will help everyone find a better solution. There are councils that have had quite relaxed policies until circumstances change or someone does something they didn't anticipate, and they find they need to tighten up the policy.
Really boring policy! I can't find photos of the non-conforming gardens but I bet they have some interest. It seems to me that the policy is not really interested in developing verge gardens, because of the severe limitations on planting location and types/heights of plants.
My local council (East Gippsland Shire Council, - EGSC) has a similar approach to design but are more flexible. While they don't have a written Verge Garden Policy, they are supportive and deal with every application or complaint on a case by case basis.
EGSC also puts Verge Gardens under the all encompassing unit 'Road Reserves'. I feel this is not acknowledging the emerging importance of this style of gardening in terms of re-building habitat and environment, and building community connections.
I have put a report on the meeting with Council staff , and my own personal DREAM Verge Policy documents on my substack: https://jjclarke135.substack.com/.
The non-compliant gardens are in the pdf document - link to it on the webpage above. Where possible I avoid putting links to pdf documents because they often lack context and the addresses can change without notice.
There is much to learn from the restrictions on policies, especially for people who are having trouble getting their council to provide a policy. Understanding and respecting each party's concerns and reasons for resistance will help everyone find a better solution. There are councils that have had quite relaxed policies until circumstances change or someone does something they didn't anticipate, and they find they need to tighten up the policy.