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                    Tram Stop Green Roofs

                    Artist render of tram stop with plants on roof

                    ​Render by Realview Studio + Yarra Trams 2022

                    The Urban Forest Fund has awarded Yarra Trams $122,175 to deliver a pilot project that will see some of Melbourne’s tram shelters beautified with green roofs.

                    This innovative, Australia-first pilot project, will be delivered in 2023 and aims to demonstrate the benefits of greening transport shelters, including the potential to provide a cooler, safer and more beautiful environment for commuters. 

                    If successful, expansion of the eco-installations throughout the city will create a mosaic of green, vibrant spaces for everyone to enjoy.

                    Project details

                    As part of this pilot project, four familiar tram stops will be transformed with green roofs installations to create over 250 square metres of new green cover. 

                    Pre-grown mats of Sedum plants will be installed with a mix of local grasses and wildflowers found within Volcanic Plain Grasslands. The mats are expected to be durable and low maintenance, and drought-tolerant plants will be chosen to ensure plantings can withstand the challenging growing conditions of rooftops, and the harsh, dry summers that Melbourne can offer. 

                    Greening specialists Plant Based Building Solutions have been engaged to provide end to end design, delivery and maintenance of these green roof installations. 

                    The green roofs will be custom-designed and created under safety and structural engineering regulations.  

                    Given the novel and innovative nature of this project in an Australian context, research partnerships with education institutions will be established to evaluate the outcomes of the project, and help inform how future expansion of these green networks.

                    See the project for yourself

                    The green tram shelters are expected to be installed in 2023. Once installed, they can be freely accessed by the public at any time. Four tram stops will be greened:

                    • Routes 11, 12, 48 and 109
                      Stop 3 – William Street / Collins Street 
                    • Route 58
                      Stop 5 – Bourke Street / William Street 
                    • Route 12, 96, and 109
                      Stop 124 - Batman Park Stop / Spencer Street 
                    • Routes 11 and 48
                      Stop D18 – Bourke Street / Collins Street Docklands

                    Stay tuned for more project updates.

                    Benefits

                    Environmental and biodiversity benefits

                    • The green tram shelters will create over 250 square metres of new green cover. 
                    • Greening will improve the climate resilience of tram stops by:
                      • reducing urban heat island impact for passenger comfort; and
                      • reducing water runoff in rainfall event and allow for passive irrigation of green roof plants.
                    • Drought-tolerant plants have been chosen that are low maintenance and require low water inputs. 
                    • The vegetated roofs will create a more liveable environment by improving air quality and mitigating noise pollution  
                    • The planting palette includes species found within Volcanic Plain Grasslands, with a mix of endemic grasses and some extent of wildflowers and herbs. These species provide resources for local pollinator insects. If scaled and expanded in the future, green tram shelters could provide important “stepping stones” for pollinators to move across the landscape.  

                    Community benefits

                    • The project will contribute to beautifying Melbourne and creating a vibrant and inviting environment for passengers, tourists and passer-by’s to enjoy.
                    • The project will create safer environments by deterring vandalism and demonstrating ‘cues to care’.
                    • Greater passenger comfort is expected with the creation of cooler spaces. 
                    • Research partnerships with education institutions will be established to evaluate and qualify/quantify the benefits of the project, with outcomes shared to others including transport operators in Melbourne, industry greening professionals and researchers.

                    Economic benefits

                    • The tram stops are used by around 800,000 tram passengers annually. This novel, greening initiative will reactivate the City of Melbourne and encourage additional commuters and visitors back to the CBD.
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