Melbourne man threatened with council fines over petting zoo in Footscray Park

Footscray resident Eddie Kwong has been told to remove animals from a garden he set up in Footscray Park. (Supplied: Eddie Kwong)

More than 1,500 people have signed a petition to save a mini petting zoo created by a resident in Melbourne's inner west.

Eddie Kwong lives in an apartment bordering Footscray Park, one of the city's largest green spaces.

Over several years, he has created a community garden and small petting zoo on a strip of parkland outside his apartment building fence line.

The free petting zoo now features birds, fish, chickens, a rabbit, guinea pigs and even a ferret.

Mr Kwong said the garden became a popular drawcard during Melbourne's lockdowns, with hundreds of residents bringing their children to see the animals.

Mr Kwong says hundreds of people visited the garden and animals during COVID lockdowns. (Supplied: Eddie Kwong)

"I'm surprised a lot of people have never seen a ferret," Mr Kwong said.

"Now, more and more people come because of the ferret. They think the ferret is a very lovely, a very naughty animal."

Mr Kwong says his ferret was a popular attraction. (Supplied: Eddie Kwong)

But earlier this month, Mr Kwong said he received a letter from Maribyrnong City Council ordering he remove the animals and parts of garden within two weeks, or face fines of $1,000 per day.

"I'm not happy. I'm angry. It's very heavy punishment. I'm doing something good for the council," he said.

"People tell me I have a good idea … I have a beautiful garden."

Maribyrnong City Council would not confirm that it told Mr Kwong he could be fined $1,000 per day. The council told the ABC no action would be taken against him until further assessments and meetings have taken place.

Mr Kwong says he's been growing flowers on the land outside his apartment building gate for 12 years. (Supplied: Eddie Kwong)

Local residents have set up the petition to save what they describe as a "crucial part of the community" and "integral part of Footscray's character".

"Anyone who has been to the park has seen, wandered through it and has loved it," organiser Aiko Jasmin wrote on the petition preamble.

"Eddie has poured his love and passion into this garden for us all to enjoy."

Signatories have commented about Mr Kwong's "generous spirit", while others said the garden helped children learn about caring for animals.

Other residents wrote that council should be encouraging similar initiatives, with one asking "why should we squeeze every last bit of joy out of suburbs?"

Maribyrnong City Council says animals cannot be kept on public land for community safety and liability reasons. (Supplied: Eddie Kwong)

Maribyrnong City Council acting chief executive Laura-Jo Mellan said council supported the beautification of community spaces, but a landscaping permit was required for works on public land.

She said that would ensure the plants were consistent with other plantings in the area and did not create any hazards for the community.

"Animals are, however, required to be housed on private property for community safety, ownership and liability reasons," she said.

"Council has provided the property owner with an application for the required landscaping permit seeking formal permission for the extension of their garden into community space."