The subcontractor concreter from council might also look at the underground services. Sometimes they’ll just be interested in the easiest and cheapest solution. Sometimes they’ll just be interested in access for their equipment. They might have the final say on where a concrete path goes. But I wouldn’t agonise over what they might decide on the day. Your advice is good.
Yes, I include the concrete path question because it helps create an image of the path that goes all the way along the street. When, and if, you get a path they will put it where they choose. Whenever work is done on your verge, you take it on the chin and adjust your garden accordingly.
It really is a 'horses for courses' approach isn't it Gayle? I too have an all grass verge with two street trees and a water meter to consider so I am planning a straight path through the middle of it, and the bulk of my verge garden will be along the property boundary in a straight line, except for rounded corners at one end for the postie to drive away from my letter box comfortably. And I expect we will do it bit by bit, by hand to see how things take shape. Thanks for the guidance!
This is one of the early communication hurdles that highlight the different perspectives between councils and residents. The line between being too prescriptive and trusting residents to work out what is appropriate in their location is hard for councils to navigate. And residents too, have to work hard to understand the complexity of the space, and the different considerations of all involved.
I think community groups and group verge projects have an important role to play here as mediators/translators/moderators.
As always, we move in the direction of our conversations, and getting it right builds trust and relationships. Valuable lessons and practice for cross-sector collaborations.
Very thoughtful, thorough advice here. Not much I can add but my own experience with a grass path. As I am on a corner that is hard to park on, and there is a street light, I chose to create a central path. So my verge garden is against the roadway and against the boundary. I used more than 1.2m clear grass so I can wash my car on the grass to capture water and car wash run off preventing pollution.
This is a good question. It is my understanding that the 1.2 width is the minimum access requirement for accessibility for wheelchairs/mobility scooters and matches the width for supermarket aisles etc.
I live in the City of Moreton Bay and have been told by the council that people should contact them before starting a verge garden. By doing so, it might be possible to get answers to practical questions about particular streets and blocks.
Yes, 1.2 is the standard for many councils, but some require more. Every council policy is different so it's important people check their own council. The query above was in Brisbane.
City of Moreton Bay is more prescriptive and says: "Where a concrete footpath is not constructed across the frontage of the property a minimum distance of 2.0 metres immediately adjacent to the kerb, must be kept clear to also allow for pedestrian access." They also require you to submit a form before you start. Their policy has been updated iin the past year and I'm pleased to see that they no longer allow artificial turf. https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Services/Roads/Road-Verge-Landscaping
The subcontractor concreter from council might also look at the underground services. Sometimes they’ll just be interested in the easiest and cheapest solution. Sometimes they’ll just be interested in access for their equipment. They might have the final say on where a concrete path goes. But I wouldn’t agonise over what they might decide on the day. Your advice is good.
Yes, I include the concrete path question because it helps create an image of the path that goes all the way along the street. When, and if, you get a path they will put it where they choose. Whenever work is done on your verge, you take it on the chin and adjust your garden accordingly.
It really is a 'horses for courses' approach isn't it Gayle? I too have an all grass verge with two street trees and a water meter to consider so I am planning a straight path through the middle of it, and the bulk of my verge garden will be along the property boundary in a straight line, except for rounded corners at one end for the postie to drive away from my letter box comfortably. And I expect we will do it bit by bit, by hand to see how things take shape. Thanks for the guidance!
This is one of the early communication hurdles that highlight the different perspectives between councils and residents. The line between being too prescriptive and trusting residents to work out what is appropriate in their location is hard for councils to navigate. And residents too, have to work hard to understand the complexity of the space, and the different considerations of all involved.
I think community groups and group verge projects have an important role to play here as mediators/translators/moderators.
As always, we move in the direction of our conversations, and getting it right builds trust and relationships. Valuable lessons and practice for cross-sector collaborations.
Very thoughtful, thorough advice here. Not much I can add but my own experience with a grass path. As I am on a corner that is hard to park on, and there is a street light, I chose to create a central path. So my verge garden is against the roadway and against the boundary. I used more than 1.2m clear grass so I can wash my car on the grass to capture water and car wash run off preventing pollution.
This is a good question. It is my understanding that the 1.2 width is the minimum access requirement for accessibility for wheelchairs/mobility scooters and matches the width for supermarket aisles etc.
I live in the City of Moreton Bay and have been told by the council that people should contact them before starting a verge garden. By doing so, it might be possible to get answers to practical questions about particular streets and blocks.
Yes, 1.2 is the standard for many councils, but some require more. Every council policy is different so it's important people check their own council. The query above was in Brisbane.
City of Moreton Bay is more prescriptive and says: "Where a concrete footpath is not constructed across the frontage of the property a minimum distance of 2.0 metres immediately adjacent to the kerb, must be kept clear to also allow for pedestrian access." They also require you to submit a form before you start. Their policy has been updated iin the past year and I'm pleased to see that they no longer allow artificial turf. https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Services/Roads/Road-Verge-Landscaping