Turf, lawns and synthetic grass in the City of Melton
Updated November 2026
On a new lot in the City of Melton, turf is often the first thing that goes in after handover, and the soil underneath it decides whether it thrives or struggles. We pass your request to a local landscaper who works your suburb. We are a referral service, not a landscaping business.
Natural turf
Supply and lay usually covers removing rubble and weeds, bringing in or improving soil, levelling, laying the rolls and a first water. National 2026 guides put natural turf at about $14 to $36 per square metre ex GST. Ask the landscaper which variety suits your block's sun, shade and use, because they are the ones who know what grows well locally.
Preparing the ground
New-estate yards often start with compacted fill and builder's rubble over clay. Turf laid straight onto that struggles. Good preparation means:
1. Clear rubble and weeds
2. Break up compacted ground
3. Add a layer of quality turf underlay or improved soil
4. Level and set falls away from the house
5. Lay the turf tight, roll it and water it in
The basalt clays of Melbourne's west shrink when dry and swell when wet, so a lawn should drain away from the house rather than pond against it.
Synthetic grass
Synthetic turf suits shaded areas, small yards and spots where grass will not grow. National 2026 guides put supply and install at about $45 to $110 per square metre ex GST. The base matters as much as the product: a compacted crushed rock base with a fine top layer and a firm edge. Ask about drainage through the base and how hot the product gets in summer sun.
Water
Your water comes from Greater Western Water. New turf needs regular water until it roots, so check Greater Western Water's current guidance on outdoor water use before you plan when to lay. An irrigation system can be laid before the turf goes down.
No registration needed
Laying turf and preparing a lawn is soft landscaping. It is not registered building work in Victoria, so there is no licence to check for turf alone. If the job also includes walls, paving or other structures, those parts are building work, and the structural landscaping page explains the registration line.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to lay turf?
Ask the landscaper for your variety. Mild weather is usually easier on new turf than the height of summer, when it needs a lot more water to establish.
Can turf go straight onto clay?
It can, but it tends to struggle. A layer of improved soil or turf underlay gives the roots a better start.
Does a turf layer need a licence?
No. Turf and planting are not registered building work in Victoria.
Is synthetic grass cheaper over time?
It costs more up front and saves on water and mowing. It still needs a good base and an occasional clean.