This page provides information about verges and crossovers. Verges are public land areas between a street’s kerb line and an adjoining property’s boundary. Crossovers are driveway sections that cross the verge from the property boundary to the road edge. The page also covers traffic counters, city-installed devices for monitoring vehicle speed, volume, and addressing residents’ concerns.
Verges
The verge is the area of public land located between a street kerb line and the boundary of an adjoining property.
Verges play a significant role in our community by establishing an area for street trees, lawns, and gardens which soften the landscape. Verges present an opportunity to establish Waterwise gardens and increase native flora across the City for local wildlife. They also accommodate overhead and underground utilities such as power, water, gas, and communications infrastructure.
The City acknowledges the care that residents take in maintaining verges, which improves the overall appearance of the street and their properties. The City's street trees however must not be interfered with under any circumstances.
A verge permit is required for any building or demolition work on the adjacent property regardless of material being stored on the verge.
The permit enables the City to monitor the use of the verge, thereby minimising the damage and disruption to the surrounding area.
There are no fees associated with a verge permit. However, there are costs associated with verge inspections before and after any works as well as the payment of a refundable bond.
| Work undertaken | Total inspection fee | Refundable bond |
|---|---|---|
| All demolition, building works, swimming pool installations, front fences, retaining walls, no street tree | $200 | $1,000 |
| All demolition, building works, swimming pool installations, front fences, retaining walls and largest street tree* with a diameter breast height 100mm or less | $200 | $2,000 |
| All demolition, building works, swimming pool installations, front fences, retaining walls and largest street tree* with a diameter breast height 101mm or larger. | $200 | $4,000 |
* Please note if there are multiple street trees the bond amount will be based on the largest tree, no extra cost for additional trees.
When all works are completely finished and you wish to request your bond(s) back please complete the on-line form.
Apply for a verge/street tree bond refund
Once the refund request has been received, a City officer will undertake a post-inspection. Any new damage noted at the post-inspection will need to be rectified before the bond will be refunded.
If the repairs are undertaken by the City, the bond lodged will be applied towards any costs, and if insufficient, will be pursued as a debt.
When approved for refund, bond monies are returned via electronic funds transfer. Additional information about this process can be found on the verge bond refund form.
Play equipment on the verge, such as trampolines and basketball hoops, are assessed on a case-by-case basis. The City takes a pragmatic approach that aims to promote a healthy lifestyle while ensuring public safety. Play equipment can be located on a verge provided it is safe.
To apply please email development@stirling.wa.gov.au and provide the following details:
- Contact details and property address
- Type of play equipment to be placed on verge
- Size of the play equipment
- Drawing or photo indicating the location of the play equipment.
Verge modifications
Verge changes and modifications are referred to as verge treatments. The City allows residents to plant or install lawn, plants, and/or organic mulch on the verge without prior approval.
Materials which require approval include paving, synthetic turf, and in-situ concrete. A verge treatment application form must be submitted and approved before any work using these materials takes place.
All works must comply with the verge treatment policy, the City of Stirling Thoroughfares and Public Places Local Law 2009, and the verge treatment guidelines and specifications.
Crossovers
A crossover is the section of a driveway that crosses over the verge, from the edge of the property boundary to the edge of the road.
The City requires prior approval for all crossover works before construction. If you are planning to install a new crossover, please make sure you follow the key requirements provided in the Crossover Specifications and Guidelines (see useful documents below).
The City will contribute towards the cost of the first concrete or brick-paved crossover or the replacement of an existing bitumen crossover to the property, provided it is constructed in accordance with the City’s requirements.
Crossover FAQs
Once you have fully read the guidelines, you can apply for a crossover installation via the residential or non-residential application forms:
Owners who are carrying out first-time crossover installations may be eligible for a subsidy. Crossover installations must have prior approval from the City.
Once the works have been completed, please complete a crossover subsidy application form.
Please note, you must apply for a crossover subsidy within twelve months of the crossover’s completion.
Crossovers must be set back from street trees to protect tree roots and provide space for tree growth. Trees must be protected from damage during crossover construction. Street trees will not be removed to enable the construction of a crossover.
The setback required is determined by the trunk diameter measured at breast height (1.4m).
| Tree trunk diameter, measured at breast height | Setback required |
|---|---|
| Up to 200mm | 1m |
| Between 201mm and 400mm | 2m |
| 401mm and above | 3m |
The City may permit variations to the setback requirements in some circumstances.
Variations are not permitted where:
- It would result in adverse impacts to the street tree
- A minimum width (3m) crossover with or without an internal driveway taper would achieve the required setback
- An alternative design would relocate the crossover away from the street tree
- The size or location of the crossover is purely a personal preference.
Fees apply to requests for setback variations, irrespective of the outcome of the request.
To request a setback variation:
To request a setback variation, complete the Reduced Street Tree Setback application (found below in Useful documents) and submit it with your Crossover Application. The City’s arborist will undertake onsite excavations to determine the degree of root damage and growth restriction the reduced setback would create.
The City Officer processing your Crossover Application will liaise with other City departments as required and advise you of the outcome of your request.
Street lights
Western Power maintains the majority of street lighting within the City of Stirling.
Street light faults
- To report a street light fault visit the Western Power website or call 1800 622 008
- To report an issue with a street light maintained by the City, please take note of the power pole asset number and phone our Customer Contact Centre.
Traffic counts
Traffic counters provide the City with data on vehicle speed and volume and are installed as part of either the City’s ongoing traffic monitoring program, assessing developments or road changes or in response to resident concerns of speed and/or volumes along a road.
