Maroondah Council to encourage garden roofs and green walls to keep city green over next 10 years
As developers push for taller buildings and more high density housing, one eastern Melbourne council is pushing an ambitious plan to ensure it doesn’t become a concrete jungle.
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Maroondah could become a city of garden roofs and green walls to help combat the push for more high density housing.
Green roofs and green walls – also known as vertical gardens – involve planting plants or other vegetation on panels and other structures.
The initiative has been given the tick by councillors as part of Maroondah’s 2020-2030 vegetation strategy.
The council’s strategy stated green roofs could help provide “beneficial vegetation” in areas of low tree canopy cover and high density housing.
The strategy will identify opportunities to include green roofs in housing development designs, particularly in areas of low cover such as commercial areas and new public buildings.
The council will also evaluate options to provide incentives for including green roofs and green walls in private developments.
Green roofs and gardens have been spotted in artist impressions for two large Ringwood developments – Eastland’s EastCo building and the 19-storey East End precinct.
Yarra Valley Grammar also has a green roof on a building at its Ringwood campus.
Environment Victoria spokesman Dr Nicholas Aberle commended the council for its imitative.
Dr Aberle said green roofs were “effectively living insulation” and could provide foundations for a relaxing living space, a rooftop bar or a group of community maintained beehives.
“It can turn a boring, grey, industrial rooftop into something full of benefits and opportunities, all while reducing energy bills for tenants,” he said.
“This is a very welcome initiative, and we’d love to see more sustainable ideas like this being rolled out across the state.
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Croydon Conservation Society president Liz Sanzarro said the group also supported the concept and “anything that introduces more greenery in Maroondah”.
“It’s not just for the appearance and temperature, it’s habitat for other creatures that need it,” she said.
“It (green roofs) is one of the best ways to counteract cities becoming heat sinks, particularly in hot weather.”