Apply to access our land

We manage large areas of land across Greater Melbourne for operational purposes including water supply, sewerage, drainage and biodiversity. Some of this land can also be used for commercial and community uses.

To find out if your proposed use is suitable you will need to apply to use our land. If your application is approved you will need to enter into a lease, ground licence or short term access agreement with us.

What can I use land for?

Community use - not for profit

Big or small, short- or long-term, we’re interested in a variety of projects that support health and wellbeing. These include:

• community festivals and pop-up events
• playgrounds and parks
• community vegetable gardens
• native plantings
• artwork/murals.

Commercial use

Our land is also available for commercial use, examples include:

• business
• filming and photography
• events
• tours
• Telco (new installation) and access
• construction access

To o see our operating area and to check if our land might be available, use our online map .To apply, use the buttons further down this page, as the online map feature does not always work properly.

Frequently asked questions

How does Melbourne Water assess applications?

We assess applications based on their compatibility with our operations now and into the future. It may be necessary for us to reject applications for various reasons including but not limited to:

• regulatory requirements
• existing or proposed infrastructure or works
• environmental impacts
• current use of land
• land size.

What are the application fees?

All applications include fees for administration, rental fees for the land access/use and may include security deposits and legal costs.

When submitting your application you will be required to pay a non-refundable administration fee upfront $179.12 (incl. GST). Other fees will be communicated if your application progresses and are based on the duration and type of access/use required.

What documentation is required?

When you apply to use our land, we will need some documentation on your proposed works/use including:

• machines that are required for the works
• your intended route/footprint across our land
• the times of access and duration of the project

• what will you use the land for

• will you be building or storing equipment or structures on the land

• we would require detailed plans of structures and layout of where buildings and equipment will be located on the land.

What are the conditions?

All leases and licences require the tenant (you or your organisation) to hold public liability insurance to the value of $20 million. You may also need approval from other authorities, like your local council, depending on how you intend to use our land.

All land use is subject to our public safety, security and operational requirements. Your lease or licence may also include additional conditions designed to uphold government policy and statutory requirements, and balance your needs with our responsibility as land manager.

Do you accept applications for filming, photography and events?

We accept a range of short-term land use requests, including filming and photography, as well as:

• school groups
• weddings
• filming for movies and advertising
• fun runs,
• trail walks and cycling events
• other promotional events.

Are there any other compatible uses?

We may also consider other requests that don’t impact our own use of our land, such as:

• small sheds, passive recreation or access to your backyard
• short-term access in order to work on your property (for example, if you need to move materials or build a pool)
• commercial and long-term leases of up to 5 years.

Please note we reserve the right to reject applications if the proposed land use is not compatible with our operational requirements. Applications are rejected if the proposed use may create environmental issues, disrupt existing land users or neighbours or not meet our long term requirements for the land.

How do I apply for land use for utility installation and maintenance works?

Organisations wishing to access our land to maintain or install utilities (including telecommunications service providers, power and water companies, VicRoads and local councils), should complete the relevant application:

• Utility installations – for new assets, such as power lines or water mains
• Land access request

All land use is subject to our public safety, security and operational requirements. Your lease or licence may also include additional conditions designed to uphold government policy and statutory requirements, and balance your needs with our responsibility as land manager.

How to apply

There are a few different ways you can apply to access or use our land, depending on your needs and requirements.

Apply to access our land

All applications should be directed through the ‘Apply to access our land’ button except if your application is for a utility installation, filming, photography or social event.

Apply to access/use our land

Use our land - Utility installations

We may grant organisations access to our land in order to maintain or install utilities. This application is applicable to telecommunications service providers, power or water companies, VicRoads or local councils.

Use our land - Utility installations

Apply to access our land for filming, photography and social events

Apply to access our land for filming, photography and social events by using the forms below.

Response timeframes

Our timeframes for responding to your initial application are outlined below.

In addition to this, you’ll need to allow at least one month to finalise your agreement, though timeframes vary depending on the complexity of your request.

Contact us

For support with your application, contact the Property Leases and Licences team. They can help you:

• understand the process for entering into a lease or licence agreement.

 [email protected]

 131 722 (ask for the Property Leases and Licences team)