BURWOOD COUNCIL REQUIRE GREEN ROOF GARDENS AS MANDATORY

GREEN ROOF MANDATE: A FIRST FOR AUSTRALASIA

#greenroofsaus; #burwood roof gardens; #greenroofs

BURWOOD Council is leading the way and walking the talk by requiring all new residential towers to have rooftop gardens — effective immediately.

Since 2008 some progressive Australian Capital Cities have provided Green Roof Guidelines to encourage the installation of green roofs however this has not caused a surge for the niche industry similar to what has been realised in Europe. Guidelines are a polite suggestion , however a mandate is a requirement - clear and simple. Burwood Council have followed the International trend of major cities in Europe, USA, Canada and the UK by requiring green roofs on 50% of all new development roof spaces.

For this initiative our association supports and applauds their decision, their commitment and their resolve to provide their constituents with a sustainable future.

Image: MCentral Apartments, Pyrmont

The intention at this stage appears to be as a  rooftop communal space for residents which will serve as an green amenity space. In time this will save council money because as urban density increases these green roofs will substitute for small neighbourhood parks  which have always been a traditional component to Australian urban planning, initially originating in the UK.

At the centre of growth in the inner west, Burwood has seen 14 towers approved over the last year. This trend is common throughout Sydney as the NSW Government supports re-development along major transport routes.

This boom is set to continue, with the Greater Sydney Commission declaring this week that the area would see 2600 new dwellings over the next five years and 18,700 new residents by 2036. With each new development without a green roof there is an increase in the Urban Heat Island Effect which creates 'heat sink urban zones' plus there is a greater potential for urban flooding because green roofs retain stormwater 'like a sponge'.

With high-density housing the way of the future, Burwood Council is determined to keep Burwood green, however it will require surrounding councils to follow suit and create a green tapestry or 'green precincts' through an amalgamation of policy changes.

Effective immediately all new developments must have at least 50 per cent of the roof area filled with grass, shrubs or trees. If neighbouring councils also follow Burwood there is the opportunity for green corridors and a real reduction in Sydneys' summer temperature by 2.0+degC whilst reducing GHG emissions.

Burwood Mayor John Faker said councillors understood the importance of housing and affordability but stressed it needed to ‘be done right’. International evidence supports an increase in realty prices due to the inclusion of green roofs.

“We understand there will be a greater cost to developers but if we have to wear these high rise development they have to get it right,” he said. As green roofs increase in number the price will also reduce as is the case internationally.

The Mayor has a strong intention to avoid creating a concrete jungle of hard surface rooftops.

Mr Faker said council wanted to create a community feel in these new developments.

The Mayor has a green vision for future residents of new developments.

“We will be strict on this, there will be a minimum of 50 per cent green space but if we can see the developer can fit more we will push for more.

“Apartment living will be the norm in the next 20-30 years so we want to create a real community in these spaces,” he said.

Image: One Central Park, Sydney

Green Roofs Australasia president Matthew Dillon believes other councils should follow Burwood’s footsteps by changing policy. There needs to be a shift in the current twentieth century paradigm for urban planning which lacks any consideration towards climate variability which has increased the potential for urban flooding and higher city temperatures causing an increase in the UHI effects.

"In Australia councils are still using the twentieth century policies which support 'grey infrastructure' rather than embracing new technology and supporting 'green infrastructure.

Recently GRA was asked by the CEO for the Victorian Planning Authority who is responsible for advising the Victorian Minister for Planning to explain the barriers preventing green roof development in Australia.
The answer is simple. Policy advisers. They are not informed on new green technology and if they are made aware then they lack the courage to implement it; policy advisers are fixed in the existing planning paradigm because everyone knows the process and it's easier to avoid any significant change; also major corporations have significant influence against any changes and at the end of a political 4 year term they ask 'Is it going to provide more votes towards re-election?'

Image: Advanx East Apartments in Rushcutters Bay, Sydney (Lindsay Bennelong developments)

“Other Sydney councils need to join Burwood in order to form ‘green precincts’ ... providing cleaner air, cooler urban environments, greater biodiversity and greater wellbeing for humans in touch with nature not concrete,”

Green roofs on apartment buildings are a form of decentralised mini parks, small neighbourhood parks have traditionally provided the same services that green roofs will into the future.”

The challenge for Burwood Council planners will be to provide developers with sufficient technical support and encourage surrounding councils to do the same. Revolutions need a Champion.

NOTE:
(SOME QUOTES WERE EXTRACTED FROM  AN ARTICLE by Jillian McKee, Inner West Courier, Sydney.
GRA president Matt Dillon provided comment & images for the original article published in the Daily Telegraph))