Melbourne Water is funding the Living Roof Research project, which involves retrofitting the 92m² concrete roof, with a shallow garden. As part of the development, existing waterproof membrane will be removed and replaced with a new high-performance membrane.
The project will allow staff from Monash University to test the quality of stormwater discharging from the roof and to measure runoff reduction. Melbourne University researchers will assess the benefits of living roofs for application in urban Melbourne, including their insulating properties and improved building performance, and potential advantages for bird and wildlife habitat. They will monitor plant and soil substrate performance over three years.
Monash mayor Charlotte Baines, said green roofs offer potential solutions for reducing pollution and improving stormwater management in urban areas. Stormwater run-off from suburban streets and gutters is the main polluter of Melbourne’s waterways because the water carries debris and high levels of nutrients into rivers and creeks. Baines said that Chicago City Hall has a rooftop garden that saves nearly $10,000 annually in energy costs.
She said green roofs can help mitigate the effects of climate change and alleviate the heat island effect, the term used to describe built up areas in cities, that are hotter than nearby parks with trees and greenery. She said that living roofs will be one of the important elements of the design of livable buildings and cities in the 21st century.
