Urban Forest Grants

What activities will be supported?

Planting more trees! Primarily Urban Forest Grants support tree planting activities on private property, expanding the tree canopy within the Town of Victoria Park. There is also scope to fund projects which further the strategic outcomes of Urban Forest Strategy (UFS) and progress the actions from the UFS Implementation Action Plan, however such projects need demonstrate a close alignment the UFS strategic outcomes.

Projects that may be supported through the program include (but are not limited to):

• Planting native trees and shrubs
• Initiatives that enhance biodiversity and support local ecology
• Projects that improve soil and water quality
• Community education programs on tree care and maintenance
• Creative workshops and events promoting the Urban Forest Strategy’s goals.

Public vs Private Land

When it comes to putting trees in the ground, it’s important that you have permission from the landowner, and they are happy to care for the tree for the duration of it’s life.

• If you or your organisation own the land, then this process is pretty straightforward.
• If you lease or rent the land where you are proposing to plant your trees, it’s your responsibility to get approval from the landowner before submitting your application.
• If you have plans to plant trees on land owned or managed by the Town of Vic Park, then the best approach is to pitch us a planting proposal here. We don’t generally support Urban Forest Grant applications on Town on land, instead if the Town loves your idea, then we have access to other funding to get these projects up and running.
• Verges are also Town owned land and the Town is responsible for planting and caring for all verge trees. If you are keen to plant out your verge, you can apply to Adopt-a-verge here or request a street tree here. To ensure safe sight lines and pedestrian access, there are guidelines to follow but you can also access up to $500 for your verge projects through the Adopt-a-Verge program.

Projects on Residential Land

Whilst projects on residential land can be supported, keep in mind that one of the key outcomes of the Urban Forest Strategy is to maximise community involvement and collaboration. Proposing to landscape your private backyard is unlikely to be competitive when scored against projects which show benefits for or engagement with the wider community.

Tree Sizes

Our team plant a LOT of trees, and planting larger trees doesn’t necessarily lead to great survival rates in the long term. Drawing on our teams experience we have determined that (for projects which include planting trees):

• 500ltr trees is the maximum size that will be supported in heavy pedestrian areas and
• 35ltr trees are preferable other locations

All trees should be planted in locations where they have sufficient room to grow. 🌳 💚

How much is available?

Each applicant can request up to $10,000 +GST of a total grant pool of $25,000 +GST.

What’s the timeframe?

Applications close:                   11pm WST, Sunday 7 December 2025 (late applications won’t be accepted)
Applications assessed:            December 2025 – February 2026 
Outcomes advised:                  Early February 2026 
Projects underway:                  1 March – 31 August 2026 
Acquittals submitted:              30 September 2026 

Who can apply?

Urban Forest Grants are open to a broad range of applicants including individuals, groups (unincorporated bodies/partnerships) or organisations (not-for-profit and for-profit). This includes School P&C's, church groups, businesses, enthusiastic individuals and groups of neighbours who share a passion for a project.

If you, or your group, would like administrative assistance in managing the grant, you can arrange to have a third-party auspice it.  

Whilst the range of folks who can apply is very broad, there are a few circumstances in which we can't accept applications, these are where - 

• the applicant has an outstanding debt to the Town;
• the applicant has failed to submit a satisfactory acquittal for a previous Town funding program; or
• the application is submitted retrospectively i.e. after a project, activity and/or program has already taken place.
• Any party that does not comply with the operational Terms and Conditions of the funding program.
• Elected Members, Town staff or a relative of an Elected Member or Town staff are not eligible.

Preparing your application

All applications must be submitted through the SmartyGrants portal by the advertised closing date. You can download a template of the application form, to get a sense of the information you will need to provide through the application form here.

Apply now

Selection criteria

This is a competitive grant program, so all received applications will be assessed against the following criteria. The applications a that rate highest against these criteria will be granted their requested funds until the funds are expended.  

Grant applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

• Demonstrated contribution to the Strategic Outcomes of the Urban Forest Strategy, within the Town of Victoria Park
• Demonstrated contribution to
  - Environmental Wellbeing (improvements in water management, soil health, biodiversity, and ecology) and/or
  - Community Wellbeing (improved mental health, physical activity, general health outcomes)
• Positively impacts the experience of the place
• Demonstrates strong community support
• Demonstrates good planning and financial responsibility in relation to both the projects implementation and ongoing maintenance requirements.