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                    Greening Melbourne Permit

                    A parent and child looking at a mounted planter box with flowers in it.
                    The Greening Melbourne Permits have been developed to support community-led greening and empower community members and businesses who wish to place temporary greening on Council-owned footpaths within the City of Melbourne.

                    ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​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 ​

                    ​Before applying, please contact the City of Melbourne to organise an onsite visit to discuss greening intent and explore greening possibilities with the Greening Melbourne team. You can contact our team at 9658 9658 and greeningmelbourne@melbourne.vic.gov.au​. ​

                    1. 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.  
                    2. Once your application has been reviewed, we will prepare a Greening Melbourne notification sign (for public display) for you. 
                    3. 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. 
                    4. After four weeks, remove the sign and contact our team (above) to determine if there are any objections or changes needed. ​
                    5. If your application is successful, you will be sent an Offer of Terms and Conditions. 
                    6. 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.  ​

                    Get greening

                    The following principles apply to a successful Greening Melbourne permit: 

                    • Applicants must implement and maintain the greening and manage risks appropriately. 
                    • ​Greening provides a ben​​​efit 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. ​​​​
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                    Greening examples

                    A city laneway with pot plants fixed to the exterior walls of a red brick building.A city laneway with creeping vines growing around the arched entranceways of an industrial building.Mounted and free standing potted plants along external apartment building walls.Mounted pot plants filled with ferns, grasses and small flowers on a rear external building wall.An industrial building in the city with many standing and mounted pot plants along the curb-side.A city laneway filled with potted trees, creeping vines and indoor plants placed along the curb.

                    ​​Frequently asked questions

                    Greening Melbourne Permit - FAQs

                    What is green infrastructure?

                    ​Green infrastructure includes green roofs, walls and facades.​ 

                    Green roofs are vegetated landscapes built up from a series of layers that are installed on a roof surface as ‘loose laid’ or modular (that is, installed layer by layer on the roof or as pre-prepared layers in trays). 

                    There are two types of green roof, extensive and intensive; 

                    Extensive green roofs are lightweight with a shallow layer of growing substrate of less than 200 mm deep, requiring minimal maintenance. They generally have lower water requirements and use small, low-growing plant species. 

                    Intensive green roofs are generally heavier, with a deeper layer of growing substrate, and can support a wider variety of plant types. 

                    Green walls comprise of plants grown in supported vertical systems that are generally attached to a wall. 

                    Green facades are created by growing climbing plants up and across the facade of a building, either from plants grown in garden beds at its base, or by container planting. 

                    Is there a cost involved with the permit?

                    ​We do not currently request a fee to process the Greening Melbourne permits. However, applicants will need to pay for the supply, installation, maintenance and insurance costs for their greening projects. 

                    Do I need a permit for a green wall in my backyard?

                    ​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. ​

                    What type of greening can I do?

                    ​Anything you like that works in the space.  We’ll help you work out what might grow well, before submitting your application. Contact the team at greeningmelbourne@melbourne.vic.gov.au​ to organise an onsite visit. 

                    How do you make a green wall?

                    ​Green walls can be created in many ways, learn more from the City of Melbourne’s Growing Green Guide (page 83).

                    Where can I get green wall materials from?

                    ​There are many ways to create green walls, including bespoke systems or off-the-shelf modular and proprietary systems. These can either be installed by a professional company or by you. Visit your local nursery to get started. ​​

                    What plants can I grow?

                    ​There are many different plants to choose from for greening projects. You should pick plants that you love and bring you happiness. You will need to think about how much sunlight is available, what potting mix and watering the plant might need and how big the plants may grow. ​

                    Will I need insurance?

                     Yes, the permit holder is responsible for having adequate public liability insurance in place to cover green infrastructure initiatives.

                    Is there funding available for my project?

                    ​Projects may be eligible for co-funding through the Urban Forest Fund, for greening on the privately-owned building walls and facades. For more information, please visit Melbourne’s Urban Forest Fund​.

                    Terms and conditions

                    ​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). 
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