Laneway project progressing

Laneway project progressing

The City of Melbourne’s Green Your Laneway project is rolling out across four CBD laneways, including Coromandel Place, Guildford Lane, Meyers Place and Katherine Place. 

Planter boxes, climbing plants, pocket gardens and seats have been installed at the pilot laneways.

The plants are mainly hardy species that can flourish with limited sunlight, such as gum vines and Chinese star jasmine.

Following 800 submissions from CBD residents, building owners and businesses, the four popular but unadorned laneways were chosen for transformation into lush gardens.

The community is also invited to help maintain the plants in these laneways.

The highlight of Guildford Lane’s makeover includes a community garden to capture rainwater and artist Mike Makatron’s mural showing an overgrown factory.

Cr Cathy Oke, City of Melbourne’s environment portfolio chair, said residents at Guildford Lane had contributed to the laneway design.

“Guildford Lane’s residential community has worked with us on a design that includes climbing plants and pots to complement the laneway’s beautiful brick warehouses. We’re also installing a community garden for residents along with a series of innovative ‘drain-gardens’ to capture rainwater and reduce flooding.”

“These drain gardens have never been installed in Melbourne before. We’ll use stainless steel grates to intercept water from the down pipes to filter out particles and other pollution that has settled on the roof.”

A map of potential "greenable" laneways, including the community's suggestions, can be viewed on participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/greenlaneways

Like us on Facebook