The verges fronting residential properties in Darwin belong to the City of Darwin Council. The verges are council land. Here and there is a well-kept verge but at least 90% are untidy and unkempt. Those that are looked after, are maintained by householders. There is no recognition of this care or appreciation expressed by the city council.

My suggestion is that if householders maintain and improve their verges by way of lawn planting, irrigation or similar, they be offered a small reduction in the cost of their rates. This would recognise their efforts at beautification and encourage other householders toward similar action. Our city’s suburban streetscapes should not be the eyesore they have become, especially in our older and more established suburbs