A Perth council has made it easier for residents to plant fruits and vegetables in local parks and reserves.

The City of Bayswater Council has voted unanimously to dramatically reduce the red tape around public gardens.

Spearheaded by Deputy Mayor Chris Cornish said it is an exciting new initiative.

“In essence we have created some very simple guidelines that allow residents to nominate a smallish section of their local park and plant some edible plants, whether that be a tree or something similar,” Mr Cornish said.

“If someone sees a suitable location where they'd like to plant a macadamia tree or something, they just have to phone or email the city, state what they want to do and where they want to do it.

“They might get approval then and there, or if the officers have some concerns they will arrange a site meeting and might suggest a different spot.

“Then they will get approval or written notice of why it has been declined.”

The council faced some resistance from the city's insurers due to risk and liability in creating the new approval process.

“Initially the insurer said [residents] are volunteers for the city of Bayswater if they are going to be doing gardening and planting trees,” Mr Cornish said.

“When they become a volunteer with the city they have to do an induction course, their work needs to be checked and they need to keep a logbook of their hours.

“Our staff went back and explained to the insurers that these reserves are generally zoned for recreational purposes.

“Gardening is recreational so it's not volunteering for the city, it is utilising the land for the purpose which it is zoned for.”

The council motion also grants retrospective approval to “guerrilla gardens” that have already been planted.