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  • 1.  Verge planting and biodiversity

    Posted 20-09-2022 17:25
    Verge planting overseasI've been lobbying my local council (Livingstone Shire) to allow verge planting and to change their policies on roadside verges. I've shared many posts like this one and others from Facebook, but the bottom line is, we need to produce lists of endemic species that will work to provide food and habitat for native species and not increase potential for weeds in our local areas.
    I'd like to think through the Landcare network, I could get some assistance to compile a list of suitable species that are low growing and endemic to the area, and provide an attractive alternative to turf. Any discussions I've had with local experts get bogged down in soil types etc. While I respect the desire to produce credible lists, we don't do that for exotic species - we list plants suited for sub-tropical climates, and then let individuals work through the process of determining the plants' suitability for a particular soil type. It's a model that gardeners are familiar with, and should work for verges.
    I think this has enormous implications for Landcare, and can go ways to encourage gardeners to think more about the plants they choose, and to consider how we redress biodiversity issues in our communities.


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    paul rayner
    TAROOMBALL QLD
    0481566814
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  • 2.  RE: Verge planting and biodiversity

    Posted 21-09-2022 09:49
    G'day Paul!

    I couldn't agree more. Our strange obsession with lawns in suburbia does no favours for native wildlife - and it's an ecological eyesore!

    Lawns actually started out as a sign of wealth in 17th century England, because only the upper class could afford to keep their grass so meticulously and pointlessly manicured. It really served no other purpose. And it still doesn't.

    Searching for native ground-cover alternatives can be tough, but having a flick through the vegetation lists of your local National Park can help. Here's one I found for Mount Archer NP, not too far from Livingstone Shire.

    Alternatively, getting in touch with your local landcare groups or the Livingstone Community Nursery might be a good option. Please keep up updated with how you go!

    Does anyone else have any ideas?

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    Toby Davidson
    Upper Macdonald
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Verge planting and biodiversity

    Posted 04-10-2022 09:26
    Hi Paul, 
    Here in Victoria more municipalities are getting on board to allow verge plantings. Usually they require permits etc, and some cheeky councils are charging quite exorbitant fees for the privilege of a permit!
    For us to get indigenous species lists ('endemic' means found only in the one location, indigenous means its native specifically to your region though may also be indigenous in other regions also), we use a few options including local council websites which, for the good councils, have links to their local Ecological Vegetation Class communities and the associated species lists, and also local indigenous nurseries which tend to have the best knowledge on what species occur in their region (and also what can be feasibly purchased by residents to use). 
    Lastly, we have the department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, which has our biodiversity map showing the overlays of EVC's, and you can then directly look up those EVCs based on where in the state you are located. 
    I believe NSW has something similar in an app: 'Trees Near Me'.
    Once you have the lists you just have to tease out the ground covers and grasses from the different vegetation strata.

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    Tricia Stewart
    Royal Botanic Gardens
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    Original Message