Greener verges

Complete the form to apply for a rebate to green your council verge.  You must read our Urban Verge Planting Guide before applying. 

You can apply for 50% of the cost up to a maximum of $400.

The rebate can be used for: soil, compost and loam, sandstone coloured gravel and granulitic sand, mulch, mechanical excavation (by a licensed contractor only), irrigation (pipes, trenching, systems, etc).  A maximum of up to $150 (of the total $400) can be used for plants purchased – refer p7 of the Urban Verge Planting Guide for plant selection tips and considerations.   

Photographic evidence that the verge works that have occurred is required - and works may be reviewed by a member of our Open Space team.  We encourage you to join our No Spray register to protect your hard work - a small sign is then placed in your verge to alert contractors. 

The rebate does not cover: purchase of lawn, artificial turf or trees for the verge – and any works undertaken on the verge not in line with the Urban Verge Planting Guide. This includes the use of declared plants as these are weeds that significantly threaten our natural environment - to see a list of declared weeds visit pir.sa.gov.au/weeds

When providing a receipt that likely doesn't include your name - as per our terms and conditions, please attach proof that you purchased the item(s), such as a bank statement showing your name and the purchase (feel free to blank out anything else not relevant).

Click here to view form.

Sustainability rebate FAQs

What can I apply for / What rebates are available?

Rebates will be given to eligible applicants on a first-come-first-served basis until the program funds are fully allocated or until the end of the program, whichever occurs first.  Separate applications are required for each rebate.

REBATES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE  

  • Cloth Nappies (50% up to $100). This includes cloth and swim nappies, reusable inner liners for nappies, reusable wipes, wet bags, and reusable nursing breast pads. 

  • Arborist assessment and tree maintenance for significant trees(50% up to $1,000).  Towards the combined costs of the Arborist report and any subsequent maintenance works undertaken to prolong the health and life of the tree.

  • Greener verges (50% up to $400) - up to $150 of this can be used for plants purchased. To encourage residents to beautify the verge area in line with our Urban Verge Planting Guide.

  • Sustainable Sanitary Products (50% up to $100). This includes menstrual and incontinence pads, sanitary cups, leak-proof underwear, and wet bags. 

  • Rechargeable Household Batteries and Chargers (50% up to $50). This includes AA, AAA, C, D & 9V sized household batteries and chargers to recharge these battery types.
  • Subsidised bin latches. Available to purchase from Customer Service offices at 50% of RRP. 


REBATE CATEGORIES NOW CLOSED
We are no longer accepting rebate applications for the following categories as funding is fully expended at this time:

  • Switch from dark to light roof (up to $150)  

  • Housing insulation (up to $200)  

  • Rainwater tank purchase (up to $150) For the purpose of capturing and repurposing rainwater for the home. Does not include rainwater tanks for garden use only.   

  • EV charging station (up to $200)  

  • Switching gas appliances to electric (50% up to $200). This includes residential replacement of gas or wood burning appliance with electric or solar powered (e.g. hot water), maximum of 1 appliance per household. 

  • Home energy assessments (up to $50). This is to achieve a Residential Efficiency Scorecard (RES), if not RES, pre-approval required. The Residential Efficiency Scorecard rates your home's energy use and comfort, and provides tailored recommendations for improvements. Getting a Scorecard home energy rating from a government-accredited assessor will help you make the best choices by providing targeted information to assist you in achieving your goals whether that's reducing your energy bills, going all-electric, or living in a more comfortable home. 

  • Window treatments (50% up to $200).Towards double glazing, honeycomb blinds, secondary glazing, outdoor window shutters or blinds. 

I have not received my rebate / How long will it take to get my rebate?

We endeavour to pay rebates within 30 days of receiving your claim. However, sometimes there may be delays outside of our control.

If it has been longer than 30 days, please contact our Customer Relations team on 8384 0666.

How will I receive the money for the rebate?

Successful rebates will be paid into the bank account provided in your rebate application. Please ensure your banking details are correct.

For bin latches, the amount paid at the Customer Service desk will be the discounted price.

Can I receive the rebate prior to purchase?

No, you will need to provide proof of purchase for the items you are claiming for. 

What information is required to receive my rebate?

To apply for your rebate, please complete the online form and include the following documentation:

Required Documentation:

  • Proof of Purchase:
    Upload a receipt, invoice, or other proof of purchase (file or image). This must include:

    Your full name
    • Retailer name

    • Date of purchase (must be within the past 6 months)

    • Item names and purchase amounts

  • Bank Account Details:
    So we can process your rebate payment.

  • Proof of Residency:
    Provide a photo or scanned copy of a utility bill or rates notice (dated within the past 3 months) showing:

    • Your full name

    • Residential address within the City of Onkaparinga

    • Date of issue

Additional Requirements:

  • Before and After Photos:
    Required for rebates involving:

    • Switching from a dark to a light roof

    • Installing home insulation

    • Purchasing a rainwater tank

    • Installing an EV charging station

    • Replacing gas appliances with electric alternatives

    • Installing window treatments

    • Greening your verge

    • Signficant tree maintenance

  • Online or Second-hand Purchases:
    These are eligible if valid proof of purchase is provided.

  • Strata or Community Title Properties:
    If the installation is on a strata or community title property, you must include written approval from the body corporate or equivalent authority. Please refer to your Strata Agreement for details.

  • Tenants:
    If you're a tenant applying for a rebate on a permanent installation, you must include written permission from your landlord with your application.

 

I bought my items and only have a shop receipt (e.g. Big W or Aldi) can I get a rebate?

If your application includes a receipt that does not have your name on it (e.g., Aldi, Big W, Coles), you will also need to attach proof that you purchased the item(s), such as a bank statement showing your name and the purchase (feel free to blank out anything else not relevant).

Purchases made with cash and no valid identification or proof of purchase will not be approved.

My purchase was more than 6 months ago, can I still get the rebate?

No, the proof of purchase must be within the 6 months prior to the date of the application. 

My housemate received the rebate - can I get one too?

Not for the same item. The City of Onkaparinga will only accept one application for each rebate per household. If your housemate applied for a cloth nappy rebate, you are still eligible to apply for a sustainable sanitary product rebate. 

Can I get a second rebate for my other child?

Not for the same item. The City of Onkaparinga will only accept one application for each rebate per household. 

The previous owners/tenants received the rebate, can I still claim?

Yes, the rebate is available for each household in the Onkaparinga council area. You can apply for the rebate if you have proof that you live in the Onkaparinga area. 

I live in Onkaparinga; can I get a rebate for my grandchildren who live in a different council area?

If you are a caregiver for your grandchildren and the rebate will be for cloth nappies to be used when they visit and will therefore reduce the waste produced in your household, then yes.

The rebate is not to be used to gift the items or purchase on behalf of residents in another council area.   

Why do you have the rebate?

 We are committed to supporting our residents to purchase more environmentally, sustainable alternatives.


I have already claimed a rebate, can I claim again?

No. If you claimed the rebate previously you will not be eligible to apply for the same rebate category in subsequent years. You are still eligible to apply for other categories.

 

Why was my request for a rebate rejected?

Your rebate may have been rejected due to the following:

  • Incomplete information – please ensure you follow the instructions on the proof of purchase and proof of residency requirements. Council will not process the rebate if you do not provide the correct information.
  • Ineligible purchase – your purchase may not be covered under the rebate – please check the terms and conditions to check what is covered by the rebate.
  • Ineligible for rebate – please check the terms and conditions for who can claim.
    only one application per rebate is allowed per household.
    You must be a resident in the City of Onkaparinga.

The applicant is responsible for providing all necessary information, and the City of Onkaparinga is not responsible for pursuing any missing information

The City of Onkaparinga holds the right to reject any application.

Can I apply again if my application for a rebate was rejected?

If your application was rejected due to incomplete information you may resend the required information for reassessment.

If your application was rejected because it is ineligible, then it will not be reassessed.

If your application was rejected because funds were exhausted, you will be eligible to apply for future rebates.

The City of Onkaparinga holds no responsibility for following up on missing information supplied by the applicant. 

The City of Onkaparinga holds the right to reject any application.

The rebate fund has been exhausted, when will it be available again?

Once rebate categories are fully expended - the application form for each will be removed from our website and we will provide an update at the top of the main rebates webpage.  Our rebate program runs from 1 July each year - with categories tweaked to suit community and council need annually. 

Why are the rebate categories different to last year?

We update our rebate categories each year to better reflect the needs and priorities of our community and council strategic objectives.