The City of Cockburn is offering rebates of up to $500 to help residents create a waterwise, native plant verge that saves water and supports local wildlife. For 2025, we have introduced a new streamlined process.
The Importance of Water Conservation
We have a dry local climate which makes water conservation and water efficiency measures critical. Gardens use up to 40 per cent of a households’ total water consumption. By reducing water use on our gardens, we can decrease our overall household water consumption, saving water and saving money.
Local, Native Waterwise Plants
Local native plant species have evolved with our dry climate, making native West Australian and Australian plants highly water efficient. Using local species not only conserves water but also fosters habitats for local wildlife, offering food and shelter. Planting these species promotes biodiversity and helps to restore habitats that are being lost to urban expansion.
The City is offering property owners a rebate of up to $250 (for verges smaller than 80m2) or up to $500 (for verges larger than 80m2) to assist with improving their verge this winter season.
Applications for 2025 open on 1 April and close 31 August.
This rebate is supported by the Water Corporations Waterwise Council Program.
How to apply
- Register your interest by completing this pre-filled email.
- Attend a Waterwise Verge Workshop if possible
- Complete your verge transformation
- Submit your rebate form by 31 August with proof of purchase, photos of your transformed verge and bank details
- Receive your rebate (processed within eight weeks)
Submit your completed verge works Rebate
Eligibility
The rebate supports water-efficient practices and the use of native plants in verge landscaping, including:
- Removal of turf (lawn/grass) to install a waterwise garden
- Removal of gravel and loose rocks to install a waterwise garden
- Planting waterwise plants to cover bare, non-landscaped verges
- Mulching and planting the verge
- Establishing a waterwise garden on a new property with no landscaping
- Planting a waterwise garden on side verges and verges that are disconnected to the resident's property.
The rebate does
not support:
- Verge installations there were completed prior to the opening dates (retrospective rebates are not available)
- Infill projects on an existing vegetated verge where plants are added, revitalised, or mulch is applied
- Mulch only
- Irrigation infrastructure
- Synthetic turf
- Verge installations using non-waterwise plants
If the verge is non-compliant you will be asked to rectify the issue.
This rebate is supported by the Water Corporations Waterwise Council Program.
Workshops and other support
To be elligible for the rebate, you must attend a workshop run by Budding Concepts. The workshops will teach you how to convert your verge, all the secrets to a thriving verge and what to grow. In 2025 we are running workshops on the following dates:
- Waterwise Verge and Gardens - The tips to no rain gardening. August TBA
For more information and tips on how to construct a waterwise verge, read the 'Verge Improvement Guidelines' and 'Grow Local Guides' found in the 'Related Documents' section at the bottom of this page, or visit our sustainable gardening web page.
The Water Corporation also provides verge designs plans, recommended plants and guidance and tips. ReWild Perth also offers useful tips.
Residents in Cockburn can also purchase up to 20 native plants at a subsidised price (50% off normal retail price) through our
Native Plant Subsidy from Apace Nursery. Sales will take place from Thursday 1 May.
Verge Treatments requiring approval
- Fruit and vegetable planters and art pieces.
- Verges with over 25 per cent of hard surfaces, such as paving, Synthetic turf or compacted dirt.
- To get approval for these treatments please visit the Verge Improvement webpage
More Information and Contact
For more information about the application process and rebate, please contact the City on 08 9411 3444 or email us.