Very few green roofs atop the buildings of Melbourne CBD and suburbs and few are aware of their benefits. Considering the total roof space of the city and the benefits, green roofs should be prevalent; but because of unawareness and also lack of government support, there are very few of them. A transformation of rooftop space will occur if governments legislate and provide support, and if people are informed and recognise the benefits.
"In North America, the benefits of green roof technologies are being increasingly understood as the green roof industry moves from novelty to common practice.
In Europe, green roof technologies have become very well established since the 1980s. This has been the direct result of government legislative and financial support, at both the state and municipal level. Such support recognizes the many tangible and intangible public benefits of green roofs."
"..Australia is behind the rest of the world.... Melbourne is behind other Australian cities in encouraging green roofs. Brisbane City Council has incorporated green roofs in its climate change plan and Lord Mayor David Hinchliffe is encouraging developers to incorporate green roofs. The head designer of Planning South Australia has been pushing for a massive green roof project and Sydney City Council last year made a $48,000 grant to develop guidelines and planning controls for green roofs. The City of Melbourne has agreed to host a lecture by German expert Manfred Koehler on March 6 but is yet to commit to any green roof..." - Green Roofs Australia president Geoff Wilson
Green Roofs Australia: http://greenroofs.wordpress.com/
Oases in the sky are a growing trend in our concrete jungles
The Age, by Natalie Craig
February 18, 2008
How green is your roof?
The Age, by Katherine Kizilos
March 5, 2008
Lights dim, but photosynthesis thrives on Chicago skyline
The Age, by Ian Munro
March 29, 2008
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