Community Laneway Greening

Guildford Lane, Melbourne. Image by David Hannah.

The City of Melbourne is excited to host the next Canopy event at the picturesque Guildford Lane to talk all thing Laneway Greening.

Melbourne's CBD has over four hundred laneways suitable for greening, totalling an area almost as big as Royal Park! City of Melbourne residents are taking it to the streets using unique and innovative approaches to green their laneways and surrounding neighbourhoods.

This Canopy will feature three community laneway greening experts from across the CBD that have transformed their grey laneways into green oasis’s. They will be sharing their knowledge and insights on the challenges and successes of greening in urban environments.

There will be a networking opportunity after the presentations where you can meet the laneway champions and City of Melbourne staff to see how you can get involved with greening your laneway.

Guest Speakers:

Katherine McPherson- Guildford Lane

For over 20 years, Katherine has lived and worked in Guildford Lane weaving together her passion for placemaking, people and plants. Katherine believes that participatory design has the potential to nurture the development of sustainable and prosperous communities. While wholeheartedly embracing two Melbourne City Councils pilot programs, greening laneways and Gardens for Wildlife, she discovered firsthand the challenges and hidden benefits of laneway gardening. In Guildford Lane, the greening has been transformational. Now Katherine actively supports other lanes in their greening journey. Her hope is that community-led gardening in the city will grow, continuing to enrich lives and strengthen Melbourne’s social fabric.

Dan Ong- Coromandel Place

Dan lives in a medium-rise apartment building in the city's east end. A major reason he loves greening for his community is because of the feeling of 'home' it gives to their laneway.

Darren Morgan- Davisons Place

Darren has over 40 year's experience in the property and construction sector. Commencing in architecture as a draftsperson before moving into the construction area in both office and site-based roles before moving into property development as project manager and later, development manager on several retirement village projects. He returned to construction as a construction manager and most recently as a site manager on apartment and retail projects in the CBD.

An avid cyclist, photographer and camper, not to mention gardener, Darren and his wife moved to the CBD in 2019 (just in time for covid) after 19 years in Mt. Eliza.

Light refreshments will be served and drinks will be available for purchase.

Acknowledgement of Country

The City of Melbourne respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land we govern, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin and pays respect to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge and honour the unbroken spiritual, cultural and political connection they have maintained to this unique place for more than 2000 generations.

We accept the invitation in the Uluru Statement from the Heart and are committed to walking together to build a better future.

Coromandel Place, Melbourne. Image by David Hannah.

Davisons Place, Melbourne. Image by David Hannah.

Event Location:
Krimper Cafe

20 Guildford Lane, Melbourne VIC 300

Getting to Krimper Cafe:

Catch a train to Melbourne Central and walk for approximately 4 minutes to Guildford Lane via Little Lonsdale and Sutherland Streets.

Catch a tram to Melbourne Central Station, Elizabeth St - Stop 5 and walk for approximately 3 minutes to Guildford Lane via Little Lonsdale and Southerland Streets.

Or Ride your bike.

Feel free to arrive early to explore the beautiful greening along Guildford Lane.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Krimper Cafe, 20 Guildford Lane, Melbourne, Australia