Gold Coast development: Sydney Opera House-inspired greenhouse to fight climate change
Climate change has been labelled the biggest threat to Gold Coast business as a leading agricultural figure plans a giant building inspired by the Sydney Opera House. SEE THE PLANS
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A Gold Coast farmer wants to build a giant greenhouse inspired by the Sydney Opera House on her Hinterland property.
The devastating impact of climate change on crops has forced Salad Makers co-owners Belinda Adams and Nathan Moss to consider an unusual alternative in a bid to keep her business viable and continue putting fruit and vegetables on supermarket shelves.
Ms Adams, whose company grows herbs and supplies Coles supermarkets across the state, has filed an application with the Gold Coast City Council to build the 3300sq m, seven-metre-tall complex at her Gilston property after losing seven crops in the past six months to flooding and wild weather. The application says the opera house inspired the design of the distinct project.
She said the increasingly turbulent weather was the “greatest threat” to her business.
“This is a business decision because the loss to our business in terms of sales and product has almost led to us being crippled by the environment,” she said.
“Investing in infrastructure like this will allow us to produce a crop year-round which will be able to be sold and meet our customer’s requirement.
“The changing weather has created a real domino effect and this year, more than others, our ability to supply customers has been erratic when it is our job as growers to be able to consistently supply year-round.”
Ms Adams, who runs her business with her brother is a second-generation farmer whose family has worked in agriculture for 38 years.
Among the 11 herbs which will be grown inside the warehouse will be mint, basil, parsley, and chives
The new greenhouse will come with hi-tech features which will allow its widows and roof to be controlled by smartphones.
City planning boss Cr Cameron Caldwell said the council’s staff would carefully assess the proposal.
“We understand with changing weather patterns than producers will look to innovate,” he said.
“Council will carefully review the proposed structure to ensure it meets all City Plan requirements and the amenity of the rural area is protected.”
The Gold Coast has been hammered by heavy rain this year from the La Nina weather pattern.
Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie, said the steps taken by Ms Adams would become increasingly common as a result of extreme weather events.
“The climate crisis has exacerbated extreme weather events that destroy crops, livestock and harm agricultural livelihoods, including drought, bushfires, extreme rainfall, flooding, and cyclones,” she said.
“Agriculture has been wollopped from extreme floods, fires and droughts in recent years and unfortunately farmers will be under increasing pressure from climate change.
“Farmers are doing what they can to cope with climate disruption, and making rapid progress on addressing the sector’s own pollution, with measures such as investing in on-farm renewables and improving resource efficiency.”
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Originally published as Gold Coast development: Sydney Opera House-inspired greenhouse to fight climate change
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