Expanded verge rebate scheme

• Perth households encouraged to commit to plant a new verge tree, for National Tree Day
• State Government verge rebate scheme for councils expanded to include free waterwise street trees and waterwise gardening workshops
• Increased tree canopy not only makes our suburbs greener, but more liveable by reducing temperatures

To mark National Tree Day on Sunday, Water Minister Dave Kelly has today announced it is now easier for residents to plant a free street tree outside their home thanks to an expanded Waterwise Verge Incentive Scheme.

The scheme, run through Water Corporation, now includes wider urban greening initiatives to create ecological corridors and greater tree canopy to help reduce the urban heat effect in Perth neighbourhoods.

The expanded scheme, which will now be known as the Waterwise Greening Scheme, will continue to provide eligible local government's with up to $10,000 in dollar-for-dollar funding for rebates to help create waterwise verges in conjunction with their ratepayers.

The new-look scheme will now also include rebates to provide free waterwise street trees, waterwise gardening workshops, waterwise demonstration gardens and waterwise garden competitions for the community. 

The verge scheme has been hugely successful over the past three years, with more than $108,500 in funding provided to 10 local governments which helped residents, through financial rebates, establish waterwise verges. 

The Cities of Mandurah and Vincent were the first to join the scheme, followed by the Cities of Stirling, Subiaco, Fremantle and the Town of Victoria Park. More recently, the Cities of Bayswater, Canning, Cockburn, Towns of Cambridge and Bassendean and the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale have joined. So far the scheme has established 436 waterwise verges and provide 19,205 native plants for residents.

To participate, local governments must be an endorsed Waterwise Council, have a verge policy consistent with waterwise best-practice, offer residents a verge incentive rebate and have an urban greening or street tree policy and offer a tree or plant giveaway program for residents.

For more information, visit: http://www.watercorporation.com.au/verges

Comments attributed to Water Minister Dave Kelly:

"Around 40 per cent of urban local councils in Western Australia have seen a significant loss in tree canopy over the last 10 years, yet the cooling effects from effective tree planting and other vegetation cover can reduce urban temperatures by up to seven degrees Celsius.

"This is why it is so important we adapt urban spaces with greening initiatives that help reduce the urban heat impact and create cool and sustainable corridors in our towns and cities. 

"The State Government, through Water Corporation has been working with local councils to help green their neighbourhoods through financial rebates, and the response has been so good the scheme has been expanded to include other urban greening initiatives.

"Water Corporation and local councils are working together to bring these benefits to residents, and on National Tree Day I encourage everyone with a verge to start planning their new waterwise verge by contacting their local council."