Trial could drop ground temperature by up to 14C

Find out how paint is helping drop the temperature on this city street by up to 14C as part of a new city climate trial.

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Feeling too hot in the city today? Head to Bowen St and you might feel cooler.

A 100m section of the street has been painted with heat reflective treatments as part of a trial to cool Adelaide streets.

The treatment reduces heat absorption and cools the area, with the potential to drop surface temperatures by up to 14C in some instances.

The $85,000 trial is a collaboration between Climate KIC Australia, Adelaide City Council, and the State Government.

Environment Minister David Speirs said roads, footpaths and buildings draw more heat from the sun, making the area warmer.

“Areas that are hot and uncomfortable are places that people avoid, so by cooling down hot urban areas people will use them boosting the local economy,” Mr Speirs said.

Three types of heat reflective treatments have been painted onto the road – Fulton Hogan created two surfaces and SuperSealing created another.

Consultation, which ends on Friday, February 28, will determine the efficiency of each product, with the best potentially rolled out on to other CBD roads.

Adelaide Liberal MP Rachel Sanderson, Environment Minister David Speirs and Adelaide Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor at Bowen St.

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Consultation results would also be shared with other local councils.

Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor said she had noticed the street was cooler.

“It is incredible to walk along and measure the temperature differences – that was up to six degrees today,” Ms Verschoor said.

Climate KIC CEO Christopher Lee said the treatments will create a “more liveable city.”

Consultation on the project closes on Friday, February 28.

To respond to consultation visit yoursay.cityofadelaide.com.au