Cumberland City Council has unveiled Australia’s first Green, Cool Carpark – a potential solution to the problem of extreme heat on hot asphalt carpark surfaces.
The innovative Cool Carpark Project, located at Holroyd Gardens Merrylands, combines a trellis structure with native vines to transform a carpark into a cool and shaded space.
The initiative was funded by the NSW Government’s Greening Our City grant program and delivered in partnership with Western Sydney University.
The Council says the project provided compelling evidence of how combining green infrastructure with innovative design can significantly reduce the temperature extremes commonly found in unshaded car parks.
“Cumberland is proud to lead the way in innovative urban cooling solutions. The success of the Cool Carpark Project not only highlights our commitment to reducing the impacts of extreme heat, but also demonstrates our commitment to creating sustainable, vibrant spaces that benefit our community, environment, and economy,” said Mayor, Ola Hamed.
“The shade structure doesn’t just keep things cooler, it also protects our residents’ cars from sun damage, helps the car park surface last longer, and saves money on repairs. By integrating smart design and green infrastructure, we’re setting a new standard of how councils can future-proof public spaces, particularly in a region where 99% of car parks across Western Sydney remain unshaded,” she said.
The Council says the addition of new green infrastructure enhanced the car park, while the thermal performance of the prototype exceeded expectations. Shade cast by the vines reduced surface temperatures by up to 50%, improved human thermal comfort by 10°C, and lowered air temperatures beneath the structure by up to 2.5°C compared to areas in the sun.
“This project brought together the industry partner Tensile Design and Construct and Western Sydney University to help the community adapt to hotter summers. Our nature-based solution is ideal for those places where trees can’t be planted but greening and cooling is still wanted,” said Lead researcher, Professor Sebastian Pfautsch.
In addition to cooling, the shade structure helped protect cars from UV damage, which can fade paint and weaken plastic trims. It also helped preserve the asphalt, extending its lifespan, the Council said.
The vines grew well in the first season and are expected to cover up all of the structure within five years. Council says the system is easy to maintain, with only occasional pruning and guidance needed. Placing the trellis on the western side of the car park helped block the afternoon sun.
With nearly 1 km² of unshaded car parks across Cumberland, and 99% of Western Sydney’s car parks lacking any shade, the project represents a scalable, transferable solution that could redefine the way local governments address heat in urban environments, the Mayor said.
