Cumberland City Council has announced the successful completion and remarkable early results of Australia’s first Green, Cool Carpark at Holroyd Gardens in Merrylands.
Environmental monitoring at the site demonstrates that a vine-covered trellis structure has reduced surface temperatures by up to 50 per cent, improved human thermal comfort by 10 degrees Celsius, and lowered air temperatures by up to 2.5 degrees Celsius beneath the structure compared to sun-exposed areas.
The innovative project, funded by the New South Wales government’s Greening Our City grant and delivered in partnership with Western Sydney University, has transformed a once heat-affected asphalt car park into a shaded, cool, and sustainable space.
This pioneering initiative provides compelling evidence that integrating green infrastructure with smart design can significantly reduce the temperature extremes commonly experienced in unshaded urban car parks.
The project was designed to address the urgent need for urban cooling solutions in Western Sydney, where nearly one square kilometre of car parks remain unshaded and temperatures in conventional car parks can exceed 50 degrees Celsius on hot summer days.
The prototype car park features a trellis system supporting native vines, which are expected to fully cover the structure within five years.
The system is low-maintenance, requiring only occasional pruning, and is strategically placed on the western side of the car park to block the harsh afternoon sun.
Cumberland City Council’s commitment to enhancing both the natural and built environment is evident in this project, which aligns with the strategic goal of supporting a resilient and sustainable city.
The Cool Carpark not only combats urban heat but also fosters vibrant, accessible spaces that encourage economic prosperity and support a diverse and sustainable local environment.
In addition to this project, Council has implemented other heat management strategies, including the Heat Smart Toolkit and Australia’s first UV-smart cool playground in Merrylands.
The prototype has delivered all anticipated positive outcomes without the loss of any parking spaces.
The addition of green infrastructure has enhanced the car park’s thermal performance, with shade from the vines significantly reducing surface and air temperatures, improving comfort for users, and extending the lifespan of the asphalt surface.
The project also protects vehicles from UV damage and supports the health of nearby plants by providing cooler air during hot summer days.
Mayor Ola Hamed said Cumberland is proud to lead innovative urban cooling efforts, with the project showcasing the council’s dedication to reducing extreme heat impacts while creating sustainable, vibrant spaces for the community, environment, and economy.
She emphasised that the shade structure not only cools the area but also protects vehicles, extends the car park’s lifespan, and saves repair costs, setting a new standard for future-proofing public spaces in Western Sydney, where most car parks remain unshaded.
“This project brought together the industry partner Tensile Design and Construct and Western Sydney University to help the community adapt to hotter summers,” said Lead researcher, Professor Sebastian Pfautsch.
“Our nature-based solution is ideal for those places where trees can’t be planted, but greening and cooling is still wanted.”
With the overwhelming majority of Western Sydney’s car parks unshaded, the Holroyd Gardens Cool Carpark stands as a scalable, transferable solution that could redefine how local governments address urban heat and create more comfortable, resilient public spaces for the future.