Greening Docklands

We welcome the City of Melbourne’s recent call for Melburnians to join in the mission to create a garden city.

The release of the Garden City Community Guidelines encourage residents and businesses (outside the CBD) to create gardens along City of Melbourne-managed streets and laneways, without the need for a permit.

With Docklands being around 200 hectares in size and majority privately owned, community-led greening is essential for supporting biodiversity, creating healthier ecosystems and strengthening community connections.

The guidelines outline where you can create in-ground and temporary gardens (pots and planters), as well as tips on maintenance, safety, accessibility and recommended plant species. Edible plants cannot be planted in-ground and require raised planters on median or nature strips (which do require a street garden permit).

Planting local native plants and wildflowers is encouraged, as they are naturally suited to local conditions. Not only will your garden look beautiful, but it will provide food and shelter for wildlife and important pollinators – such as bees, butterflies and birds!

Some personal favourite natives include Daisies, Purple Coral Pea, Straw Flowers, Yellow Buttons, Slender Speedwell, Correa and Grevillea. Whether you simply have one or two pot plants on your balcony, or a row of planter boxes, every single plant can make a meaningful impact.

To further help your gardening journey, the City of Melbourne Gardens for Wildlife team of passionate volunteers is available for consultation (virtual or in-person). You will receive a report on how to accomplish your goals and create your very own Garden for Wildlife. You will also receive a voucher for free native plants from Bili Nursery.

For further information.

Community 3008 Inc. together with the Gardens for Wildlife Team and Bili Nursery, is pleased to announce the inaugural “Greening Docklands” Community Workshop. This free two-hour workshop, focusing on “Balcony Gardening”, will be held on September 12 at The Library at the Dock. Places are limited, so Docklands residents are encouraged to register their interest via email.

Are you familiar with the Moonee Ponds Creek Trail?

Stretching 25km from Docklands to Woodlands Historic Park, the trail follows a natural waterway rich in history and environmental significance. Founded in 1989 by the Hon. Kelvin Thomson, the Friends of Moonee Ponds Creek (FoMPC) has worked tirelessly to protect, preserve and enhance the environmental and ecological attributes of the creek and its tributaries.

Partnerships with relevant councils, government agencies and organisations have helped deliver major improvements, including the shared walking and cycling trail that now connects communities, parks and reserves, and links into Melbourne’s wider trail network including the Capital City Trail.

Revegetation programs have been a significant and continuing part of FoMPC’s activities, enhancing biodiversity and wildlife habitat by planting indigenous species based on guidelines developed by Greening Australia’s David Chynoweth.

Ongoing projects along the creek corridor from its source above Greenvale to its junction with the Yarra River in Docklands continue through the multi-stakeholder Chain of Ponds Collaboration – working to transform the creek into an iconic waterway for Melbourne that provides high social, cultural and environmental benefits.

Recognising litter and rubbish dumping as a major ongoing challenge, the collaboration launched the successful Adopt-a-Creek Program in 2025 with support from Melbourne Water. Currently, 50 sections of the creek and three tributaries have already been adopted by local communities for clean-up, greening and rejuvenation projects.

Docklands’ section of the creek, running from Footscray Road to Ron Barassi Snr Park, is yet to be adopted. Residents, businesses and community groups are encouraged to get involved and help create a cleaner, greener, healthier corridor for native wildlife and for everyone who enjoys walking, cycling, birdwatching or simply spending time in nature.

For more information on joining the program, please contact Kelvin Thomson.

Have you visited the Docklands Community Garden?

Situated on Geographe St, adjacent to Victoria Green, the garden features a wonderful array of herbs, seasonal fruits and vegetables all lovingly planted and cared for by dedicated volunteers.

To help the garden grow and flourish, we are seeking additional volunteers, including five “Garden Ambassadors”.

Expressions of interest are now open, so if you’re a local resident with a seasoned green thumb or a nature novice with a few hours to spare each week, we’d love to hear from you!

For further information or to express your interest, please contact head gardener Greg Wise by July 30, 2026.

For community updates, events and activities, please follow our Instagram account @docklandscommunity3008 •