Melbourne launches Victoria state’s first Growing Green Guide

The roofs, walls and facades of buildings across Melbourne will be turning all shades of green with the launch of the Australian State of Victoria’s first Growing Green Guide.

The guide gives building owners, planners, designers, developers and home-owners vital information so they can integrate green infrastructure on their buildings and help manage the impact of a changing climate on the way they live in the city.

City of Melbourne Environment Councillor Arron Wood said the Growing Green Guide was the result of three years’ collaborative work between the Cities of Melbourne, Port Phillip, Yarra and Stonnington, the University of Melbourne, the Victorian Government and industry experts.

“The best minds have been brought together to develop a guide that will help transform existing buildings and create new ones which can use their roofs, walls and facades to work with the environment rather than against it,” said Wood. “We know the city can be 4 to 7 degrees hotter than surrounding suburbs due to the urban heat island effect. Green walls, facades and rooftops not only look good but help cool our city and retain stormwater which can help reduce flash flooding.”

The guide offers innovative ideas for cooling buildings and the environment, while also increasing liveability. It provides information on the design, construction and maintenance of green infrastructure, outlines the research undertaken and technical explanations, as well as providing a number of case studies and details on considerations required when incorporating vegetation on new or existing surfaces.

State Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Ryan Smith, said that the guide was made possible through AU$250,000 (US$231,500) in funding from the Victorian Coalition Government’s Victorian Adaptation and Sustainability Partnership programme.

“This is another great example of adaptation at a local level, where through Coalition Government’s funding, local communities are empowered to take their own action to be more climate resilient,” said Smith. “The Coalition Government is pleased to see councils, University of Melbourne and the local community joining forces to produce a valuable tool for urban landscapes.”