Cumberland City Council has constructed Australia’s first Green, Cool Carpark.
The innovative Cool Carpark Project, located at Holroyd Gardens Merrylands, combines a trellis structure with native vines to transform a hot asphalt carpark into a cool and shaded space.
This initiative has already shown promising results, highlighting the impact of urban cooling solutions in reducing the effects of extreme heat.
The Cool Carpark was funded by the NSW Government’s Greening Our City grant program and delivered in partnership with Western Sydney University.
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 Mayor Ola Hamed said the council is committed to enhancing both the natural and built environment, aligning with the strategic goal of supporting a resilient and sustainable city.
The carpark is part of a broader heat management strategy which includes the Heat Smart Toolkit and the US-smart cool playground.
“The prototype delivered all anticipated positive outcomes without the loss of any parking spaces. The addition of new green infrastructure enhanced the car park, and the thermal performance of the prototype exceeded expectations,” she said.
Shade cast by the vines reduced surface temperatures by up to 50 per cent, 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.
Hamed said the project is a clear example of how smart design and green infrastructure can help build a cooler, more resilient future for Cumberland.
“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,” she said.
“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,” said Mayor Hamed.
Lead researcher, Professor Sebastian Pfautsch said the nature-based solution is ideal for those places where trees can’t be planted but greening and cooling is still wanted.
In addition to cooling, the shade structure brought other useful benefits. It helped protect cars from UV damage, which can fade paint and weaken plastic trims.
It also helped preserve the asphalt, extending its lifespan and saving Council money. People using the car park now enjoy a cooler and more comfortable experience, and nearby plants benefit from cooler air, helping them stay healthier during hot summer days.
“The vines grew well in the first season and are expected to cover up all of the structure within five years,” Pfautsch said.
“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, this project represents a scalable, transferable solution that could redefine the way local governments address heat in urban environments.