The types of greening that the permit covers include but is not limited to:
- potted flowers and plants on footpaths
- greening on the facade of your building which overhangs public space, including climbing plants, window planters and hanging floral baskets
- green wall systems located on your building wall which overhangs public space.
Apply for a Greening Melbourne permit
The Greening Melbourne team will conduct an onsite visit to discuss your greening ideas and explore what may be achievable for your site conditions.
To request a site visit to discuss your greening intent, please contact City of Melbourne.
- If your site is deemed appropriate, you will need to complete and submit the Greening Melbourne Permit application. This will include a completed permit application, planning, maintenance and design layout of your greening proposal.
- Once your application has been reviewed, we will prepare a Greening Melbourne notification sign (for public display) for you.
- Display the notification sign on your building wall adjoining the greening for four weeks, to let the nearby community know you are proposing new greening and give them an opportunity to comment. All comments will be provided to our team for review.
- After four weeks, remove the sign and contact our team (above) to determine if there are any objections or changes needed.
- If your application is successful, you will be sent an Offer of Terms and Conditions.
- Once you have accepted and returned the Offer of Terms and Conditions, a permit will be issued for a 12-24 month period. The permit will include conditions around maintenance, allowed dimensions and risk management.
Principles for a successful Greening Melbourne permit
- Applicants must implement and maintain the greening and manage risks appropriately.
- Greening provides a benefit to the immediate environment, such as visual interest and amenity.
- The proposal is supported by the adjoining neighbours, community members, and the City of Melbourne.
- The greenery allows for the location to be safe, accessible and inclusive.
Permit costs
There is no fee for the Greening Melbourne permits. However applicants will need to pay for the supply, installation, maintenance and insurance costs for their greening projects.
Contact us
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No, permits are only required if you're greening initiative interfaces with the public realm, for example planter boxes that hang over a footpath or laneway, pots that have been put outside your property on the footpath or in a laneway or a green wall that extends out over a footpath.
Yes, the permit holder is responsible for having adequate public liability insurance in place to cover green infrastructure initiatives.
Projects may be eligible for co-funding through the Urban Forest Fund, for greening on the privately-owned building walls and facades.
The personal information on this form is collected by the City of Melbourne for the purposes of administration of this Greening Melbourne permit application, and information provided will be kept for record keeping and audit purposes. The applicant is asked to report any change of primary contact or significant changes in the operation of approved Melbourne Greening permits to the City of Melbourne as soon as possible. City of Melbourne collects and retains personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act.
The applicant must ensure the safe removal of the green infrastructure when it’s no longer in use, or if the Greening Melbourne permit is cancelled by the City of Melbourne. If elements of the green infrastructure are clearly left unattended, or if the presentation is visibly unacceptable for an extended period of time, the City of Melbourne may remove the green infrastructure and vegetation, following at least two attempts to contact the primary permit holder. City of Melbourne retains the right to cancel a Greening Melbourne permit, or relocate the permitted green infrastructure, if the designated site is later required for use by the City of Melbourne or for other approved community purposes.
Permit holders are responsible for their own safety while working on the permitted green infrastructure and should be mindful of potential risks. Consideration should be given to basic safety precautions: wearing appropriate clothing, using tools safely, careful handling of materials, and using soil- and sun-smart practices.
Indemnity
The permit holder indemnifies and holds the City of Melbourne harmless against all suits, actions, proceedings, judgements, claims, demands, costs, expenses, losses or damages for which the organisation becomes or may become liable in relation to the death or injury to any person or the damage to any property in connection with the street gardening items or activities as controlled by the permit holder howsoever arising, except to the extent that the organisation is negligent.
The permit holder acknowledges and agrees that the City of Melbourne is not liable for any loss or damage to any crops, plants or food grown or planted or structures situated on the site (including, for example, theft, willful damage or vandalism).
Greening examples
Photo: David Hannah 2023
Photo: David Hannah 2023
Photo: David Hannah 2023
Photo: David Hannah 2023
Photo: David Hannah 2023
Photo: David Hannah 2023
