A new study by the University of Western Australia is looking at what people in Perth want for their verges and those in their neighbourhoods.

Trevor Cochrane from The Garden Gurus told Oliver Peterson on Perth Live that the verge debate is an interesting one with a long history.

“A decade ago the water corporation did some research and discovered that these grassy verges are costing a lot of money. To keep a verge lawn going through the summer months you will use 20,000 litres of water so the arguments against having lawn on the verge are probably pretty sound,” he told Oly.

“It caused a ruckus, people do all sort of things now – transforming them with veggie patches and herb gardens – in a way it can be a way of serving the community.”

Mr Cochrane highlighted that one of the most controversial ideas is planting native plants on your verge.

“People think by putting native plants you don’t have to water them all summer, however that’s as long as you’re getting native plants.”

Press PLAY to hear more on the current verge debate