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                    Apply for an Urban Forest Fund grant

                    Urban Forest Fund
                    Help grow a greener Melbourne with an Urban Forest Fund grant. We’ll match your investment for your next greening project dollar-for-dollar.

                    ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​This year, we’re offering matched-funding grants under two streams:

                    • Stream 1 High-impact greening: Grants of $50,000 to $500,000 to support high impact greening projects with public benefits.
                    • Stream 2 Laneway greening: Grants of $10,000 to $25,000 to support community-led, laneway greening outcomes.

                    The Urban Forest Fund will support a wide range of projects, including:

                    • new green open spaces
                    • tree planting
                    • biodiversity planting
                    • green roofs
                    • green walls or facades
                    • water sensitive urban design projects
                    • laneway greening​.

                    Applications for our Urban Forest Fund Partnership Program 2023 are now closed. All applications are currently being evaluated. Successful grant applications will be notified in June 2024.​​​

                    Information for applicants

                    About the program

                    The Urban Forest Fund provides matched-funding grants for new greening projects on private property, where we will match successful applicants’ investment dollar-for-dollar.

                    Since 2017, we have provided more than one million dollars in funding and we’d like to partner with you too.

                    This year, we’re offering matched-funding grants under two streams:

                    • Stream 1 High-impact greening: Grants of $50,000 to $500,000 to support high impact greening projects with public benefits
                    • Stream 2 Laneway greening: Grants of $10,000 to $25,000 to support community-led, laneway greening outcomes

                    Those who have previously registered their interest will be notified when applications open.

                    Who can apply?

                    • ​Residents 
                    • Business owners
                    • Owners corporations
                    • Community groups
                    • Building owners and developers
                    • Educational institutions

                    Eligibility check

                    To be eligible, greening projects must:

                    • Be located within the City of Melbourne.
                    • Be primarily focused on creating a new greening project.
                    • Demonstrate community and environmental benefits.
                    • Be visible from public spaces or regularly accessed by a large number of people.
                    • Have a clear plan for long-term maintenance.
                    • Be completed by 31 May 2025.
                    • Apply for a planning permit if required.
                    • Be located on land owned by the applicant or, where private property is not owned by the applicant, a secured lease is required for at least five years, with written consent from the building owner.

                    Additional eligibility requirements must be met if you’re applying for a grant under Stream 2 Laneway greening:

                    • Be located on a privately-owned laneway that is publicly-accessible, or on a privately-owned building facade within a laneway.
                    • Include a detailed landscape plan including relevant green infrastructure systems and nominated suppliers for planting and green infrastructure systems.
                    • A structural design with certification for any green wall or green facade fixings, prepared by suitably qualified persons.
                    • Have at least one person in the local community who will champion this project​.
                    • Demonstrate collaborative greening efforts by the laneway community.​

                    How to apply

                    ​Choose the appropriate grant stream for your project (Stream 1: High impact greening or Stream 2: Laneway greening) and submit your application via Smartygrants. 

                    Applications for partnership grants through the Urban Forest Fund will be assessed against their ability to provide environmental and public benefits. 

                    For Stream 1: High impact greening, priority will be given to projects which:

                    • are located in areas with low canopy cover or open space 
                    • are publicly accessible
                    • contribute to community health and wellbeing
                    • are innovative and support further research.

                    For Stream 2: Laneway greening, priority will be given to projects which:

                    • are within publicly accessible laneways
                    • contribute to community health and wellbeing
                    • are supported by ‘community champions’​
                    • demonstrate a collaborative greening effort by the laneway community, for example where multiple owners each apply for a grant within the same laneway to create a greater greening impact.

                    Required documentation for applications includes:

                    • concept designs
                    • project timeline
                    • detailed project costs 
                    • planning permit or submitted application if applicable 
                    • evidence of ownership, or lease agreement and consent from property owner 
                    • maintenance plan.

                    Refer to the 2023 grant guidelines for more information relevant to each grant stream. ​

                    What we fund

                    The fund may support the following types of projects:

                    • tree plantings
                    • green roofs, walls and facade systems including the required soil media, plants, drainage and irrigation
                    • creation of new green spaces including pocket parks and temporary parks
                    • vegetation cover to increase biodiversity
                    • water sensitive urban design
                    • improvements to below-ground soil conditions to support healthy vegetation.

                    What we don't fund

                    • Projects outside the City of Melbourne municipality, or projects on City of Melbourne owned or managed land.
                    • Projects that have no demonstrated community benefit, or are not accessible or visible by a large number of people (for example, private residential backyards).
                    • Ongoing maintenance costs.
                    • Project costs that do not directly relate to the greening project. Some associated project costs may be included, such as design and project management, but should not exceed more than 15 per cent of the total project cost.

                    Assessment process

                    ​Applications will be assessed from February to June 2024. This includes the following stages: 

                    • eligibility screening 
                    • panel assessment 
                    • formal endorsement 
                    • notification of outcomes.

                    More information is available in the 2023 grant guidelines. 

                    Useful resources for project design

                    • ​Projects supported by the Urban Forest Fund​
                      The Urban Forest Fund supports a wide range of projects, including gardens, tree planting, biodiversity projects, green roofs and vertical greening.
                    • Urban Nature Planting Guide
                      The Urban Nature Planting Guide provides information on more than 100 suitable plants species for urban landscapes. The webpage includes plant selection filters to help choose suitable understorey species for urban plantings, including plants that attract different types of wildlife, like birds, bees, butterflies and lizards.
                    • Pre-colonial plant list
                      The Pre-colonial plant list for the City of Melbourne is a report produced by expert botanists from the Arthur Rylah Institute that specifies plant species that likely occurred in Melbourne prior to European colonisation.
                    • Trees for Melbourne’s Climate Future
                      The University of Melbourne and the City of Melbourne collaborated with industry experts to deliver a world-first research report: Trees for Melbourne’s Climate Future (PDF 8.8 MB). This research explores the vulnerability of tree species currently planted in the City of Melbourne, and identifies some potential new species that may be more suitable for the city’s climate future.
                    • Growing Green Guide
                      The Growing Green Guide: A guide to green roofs, walls and facades in Melbourne and Victoria has been developed with advice from industry experts and academic research, to help create high-quality green roofs, walls and facades.
                    • Guidelines for Biodiversity Green Roofs (PDF 8MB) | (DOC 7 MB)
                      The Guidelines for Biodiversity Green Roofs has been developed by researchers from the Green Infrastructure Research Group at the University of Melbourne, to provide advice to building owners, landscape architects, landscape construction contractors and horticulturalists wanting to design and build a green roof that has a primary purpose as provision of habitat for biodiversity.
                    • Rooftop Project
                      In 2014, the City of Melbourne mapped rooftops in the municipality to determine their suitability for solar, cool or green roofs.
                    • Green Factor Tool
                      Green Factor is a green infrastructure assessment tool designed by City of Melbourne and developed to help with designing and constructing new environmentally-friendly buildings. The online tool is designed to help landscape designers, architects, planners and developers, benchmark and improve their greening designs.
                    • Green Your Laneway Project Evaluation​
                      The Green Your Laneway Project Evaluation provides information about laneway greening based on the initial Green Your Laneway projects that were delivered at Coromandel Place, Guildford Place, Katherine Place and Meyers Place.

                    Frequently asked questions

                    Urban Forest Fund – FAQs

                    If my application was unsuccessful in previous years, can I apply again in 2023?

                    ​Yes. You may resubmit the same project again in 2023; however, it is strongly recommended that you contact the City of Melbourne to seek feedback on why your application was unsuccessful in past rounds. 

                    You should also check the 2023 eligibility criteria to confirm that your project still qualifies for funding. You will need to complete a new application form because some of the questions have changed.  

                    Can I apply for a grant to incorporate greening into a new development?

                    Yes. The Urban Forest Fund will consider applications where greening is to be integrated into the design of a new property, provided that the application complies with the eligibility requirements.​

                    Can I apply for a grant to retrofit new green elements onto an existing building or property?

                    Yes. Urban Forest Fund partnership grants apply to both new buildings and retrofits.

                    Can I apply for a grant to refurbish or replace existing green infrastructure on my property?

                    Yes, provided that either the replacement or refurbishment project will increase the total amount of new green cover, or quality of green space (for example, converting lawn to a biodiversity planting).​

                    Does the Fund support projects that are commercial in nature?

                    ​Yes, provided that the primary objective of the project is to increase greening outcomes. For example, a green roof with a cafe on it is acceptable, but a rooftop cafe with a small amount of greening may not be. Additionally, commercial projects will still need to demonstrate the public benefits (for example, be visible from the public realm, or be able to be regularly accessed by a large number of people).​

                    Can I seek funding from other sources to make up my component of the matched-funding arrangement?

                    Yes. The Urban Forest Fund will match successful applications dollar-for-dollar. Applicants can seek funding from other sources to subsidise their total investment in the project, however, in-kind contributions are not accepted.​

                    Can the City of Melbourne provide technical advice on my proposed greening project?

                    The City of Melbourne cannot provide technical advice relating to the feasibility or design of your greening project. Independent advice should be sought from a relevant expert. Information about the types of expertise to consider for green roof and wall projects can be found in the Growing Green Guide.

                    However, if you are unsure of whether your project fulfils the grant requirements, please contact the team on 03 9658 9658 or email urbanforestfund@melbourne.vic.gov.au​. We’d love to chat about your application.​

                    Can I include the cost of maintenance in my grant application?

                    No. Urban Forest Fund grants apply only to design and delivery of your greening project. Ongoing maintenance is the responsibility of the applicant.​

                    Can I include the cost of project management or preliminary work on my greening project (such as feasibility studies, structural assessments, design development) in my funding application?

                    Project management and preliminary work fees can be included in the funding application, but together, must not exceed 15 per cent of the total project cost.​

                    How can I find out if I need a planning permit?

                    If you are unsure if you require a planning permit, visit the Do I need a permit? page. 

                    Please note there is a small cost associated with obtaining written advice.

                    If greening is a requirement of an existing planning permit for my project, can I apply for funding through the Urban Forest Fund to support the delivery of this greening?

                    ​No. Greening works detailed as part of an existing planning permit are mandatory requirements that need to occur anyway for that city development project delivery. The Urban Forest Fund will not support co-funding towards this greening. ​

                    Can I seek an extension on the deadline?

                    No. All applications must be submitted by the final submission date as specified under the application details. Please allow adequate time to submit your application prior to the deadline.​

                    Why do I need written advice from a Building Surveyor?

                    ​When considering if a building permit is needed for your project, a Building Surveyor will assess what types of works will be required to deliver your project, including structural enhancements to existing structures. This information is useful for both applicants and the panel when considering the feasibility of a potential project. 

                    Note that a building permit is not required at the time of application, just advice as to whether one will be required if the project proceeds. 

                    Can I submit the same application to both streams?

                    No. Please choose the most appropriate stream for your project and apply to one grant stream only. You are ineligible to receive multiple grants for the same project proposal.​

                    I live in a laneway and want to apply for a grant under Stream 2: Laneway greening, but I don’t have my neighbours on board to green their properties, can I still apply?

                    Yes. You can still apply provided that the application complies with the eligibility requirements. Evidence of support from your neighbours will assist the success of your application, however, this is not a requirement. 

                    Please note that we prioritise laneway greening co-funding where multiple neighbours have each applied for a grant within the same laneway.​

                    I live in a laneway and want to apply for a grant under Stream 2: Laneway greening – can my application include funding to undertake greening on both privately-owned and public spaces of the laneway?

                    No. Funding as part of the Urban Forest Fund Partnership Program will only be eligible to greening works being undertaken on privately-owned space. 

                    If your proposed project includes greening the public interface of the laneway (for example, Council-owned footpaths), you will require a Greening Melbourne Permit​. This part of your project will be considered separately by Council, and will not be eligible for co-funding within the Urban Forest Fund Partnership Program.

                    Is there someone at the City of Melbourne who I can talk to specifically about my laneway greening project?

                    Yes. Please contact the Urban Forest Fund team (urbanforestfund@melbourne.vic.gov.au​) and we will put you in contact with the right person to answer your questions. ​

                    Contact us

                    Contact name
                    Urban Forest Fund
                    Telephone number
                    03 9658 965803 9658 9658
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