Oasis in our very cool city
Green Spine pays off
NEW thermal images have shown the benefits of planting trees to lower soaring summer temperatures along Geelong’s Green Spine.
All indications are that our summers will continue to get hotter, so the City of Greater Geelong says it is important to cool the city for workers and visitors.
With temperatures proven to be between 5C and 20C lower under tree canopies, the council says more trees will add extra comfort and amenity by providing shade for pedestrians this summer.
The imaging found that in one area the tree shade temperature was 6C cooler than the awning shade, and 11C cooler than the bluestone area.
Tree canopies play a fundamental role in reducing air temperatures in the built environment by mitigating the build-up of heat on footpaths, roadways and carparks.
This improves the environment for visitors and adds to the green network of spaces for the community.
Acting Mayor Peter Murrihy said as the award-winning Green Spine extended further along Malop St, people would see the increasing benefits of bringing nature into our city.
“Trees provide shade, reduce heat exposure, make an important contribution to the environment and create more appealing-looking streets and retail centres,” Cr Murrihy said.
“We’re seeing these results on the section of Green Spine already in place, and the positive greening effect will spread as each new section is completed.”
There are more than 1500 plantings from almost 100 different species of plants in block two of the Green Spine between Moorabool and Yarra streets.
Plans for the five future blocks of the Green Spine extending from Johnstone Park to Eastern Park are being developed and are planned to follow a similar theme, creating an urban oasis in central Geelong.
Additional environmental features of the Green Spine include the water-sensitive urban design.
Through a series of natural systems, the gardens remove toxins and pollutants before surplus water is discharged into the stormwater system, contributing to a healthier Corio Bay.
Each element of the design is a crucial part of the stormwater filtration system.
Revitalising Central Geelong is a partnership between the State Government and the City of Greater Geelong.
The colour guide on the side of the picture (above) has the hottest temperatures at the top and the coldest at the bottom.
The Urban Forest Strategy shows the city manages 120,000 trees — 75,000 on streets and 45,000 in parks — worth a combined $370 million as “structural assets”.
But studies have shown it has tree canopy coverage of only 14 per cent, well below the ideal coverage of 40 per cent.