Forever berating the existence of dolomite verges that frequent the City of Unley, I recently inspired a solution offered by Council’s administration. We approved in this term of Council a program designed to encourage green verges rather than ugly dolomite.

Planting Verges

Unlike the outer suburbs of Adelaide finish not at the street kerb but at the property fence line. This discourages home owners from looking after what is, at the end of the day, Council property.

If your lawn continued to the street kerb you would mow it. Unfortunately there is no apparent obligation where it finishes at your fence line.

Therein lies my dilemma. Past Councils saw dolomite as the solution to property owners not looking after the verge in front of their house. Certainly it presented as a cost effective solution. This is because dolomite does not require anyone to look after it. If looking after the verge is to be a Council responsibility it would add significantly to the rates you pay.

Dolomite is that ugly grey material. It pulls down the value of properties where it is the prominent verge solution.

The solution was to encourage home owners to take ownership and work in partnership with us to green the verges. Accordingly, our commitment was to pull up the dolomite and provide loam in lieu. The home owner contribution was to plant the verges. Examples of what could be done were provided by us in Edmund Street, Unley.

Many more than what we have budgeted for have taken up this opportunity. The uptake has been inspiring. I am looking to make sure this initiative continues.

Should I be re-elected, I can do this by providing local leadership and working for you and with you for a better street amenity. Would you rather green verges rather than ugly dolomite.

Written & authorised by Don Palmer, 19 Kelvin Avenue, Clarence Park SA 5034