Timeline of significant events related to the 1997–2009 drought in the City of Melbourne.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1993 | First appearance of elm leaf beetle in Melbourne tree population. |
| 1997/98 summer | First year of extended drought period. |
| 1999 | First applications of imidacloprid (Confidor®) to treat elm leaf beetle. |
| 2004 | Evidence of crown death beginning in older elm trees. |
| 2006 November | Application of Stage 2 Water Restrictions – irrigation of lawns banned. |
| 2007 January | Application of Stage 3 Water Restrictions – first installations of drip irrigation. |
| 2010 autumn | Drought “ends” with good autumn rain. |
| 2010/11 summer | Wet summer. |