Shire of Murray

Waterwise verges are valuable green spaces that assist with urban cooling and promote biodiversity within our streetscapes.

We’ve been working hard converting some of our prominent council frontages into waterwise gardens and verges. Places like the courthouse, Telstra building, Dwellingup Police Station and park trail in Pinjarra have all been given a waterwise makeover.

Increasing community awareness

Part of our ongoing commitment to creating waterwise gardens and verges includes connecting with the community to improve their water literacy. The Shire of Murray Library in Pinjarra was the perfect location to get the community involved.

With the help of community volunteers, we transformed the front entrance of the library into a waterwise garden.

Mary Crescent Reserve stormwater basin – before construction

Change for the better

The new waterwise garden has reduced our reliance on using reticulated water for lawn and non-native flowers that were previously in place.

It has also generated public interest and awareness with residents to create their own waterwise verge at home.

‘The Shire of Murray has long been an advocate of the waterwise program. We see it not just as an endorsement of our own operations, but also a great opportunity to help the community be better informed regarding water literacy.

The work we did at the Murray Library brought people together around some common good, created a space which sparks conversations, and acts as an emblem for waterwise best practice across the wider community.’ - Dean Unsworth, CEO Shire of Murray.

Mary Crescent Reserve stormwater basin – before construction

How we did it

Together with Greening Australia, we invited members of the community to come along and help install the new garden. Before getting their hands dirty, volunteers attended a community workshop about how to design, plant and maintain a waterwise, locally native garden for their own homes.

The day was also supported by Landcare SJ – a non-for-profit organisation that provides environmental support to the local community.

Waterwise garden transformation in progress.

The result is a beautiful waterwise front entrance that:

• saves water
• requires little maintenance
• creates a cooling effect to counteract the ‘heat island’ effects of summer
• provides habitat for local wildlife and promotes biodiversity.

We plan to remove the reticulation once the new plants are established, as they will no longer require regular watering.

The new look waterwise gardens.

Application of waterwise plants across the gardens.

What we’re doing now

Part of this project was to increase community awareness and public interest in our waterwise program. We encourage residents to establish their own waterwise verge and help them do this by offering a waterwise verge rebate. They can also request a street tree free of charge.

Through the Shady Lanes Project, we also offer a free course Verge Garden Basics – Understanding the space. It takes residents through:

• Why you should plant a verge garden and where to start.
• Understanding the special features and complexities of this shared public space
• How to keep your neighbours onside and work collaboratively with us
• Understanding how your garden plays a part in greening our city.