Industry Association: Green Roofs Australasia
History
Green roofs are not a new phenomenon. They have been standard construction practice in many countries for hundreds, if not thousands, of years, mainly due to the excellent insulative qualities of the combined plant and soil layers. Modern green roofs are a system of manufactured layers deliberately placed over roofs.
Benefits
Green roofs are an investment, which provide a significant number of social, environmental and economic benefits that are both public and private in nature.
Benefits include:
• Increased energy efficiency (cooling in the summer and insulation in winter)
• Reducing the ‘urban heat island effect’ – the overheating of cities
• Sequesters carbon
• Sound insulation
• Additional amenity space
• Air cleaning
• Storm water management
• Biodiversity preservation and habitat creation
• Aesthetic benefits
Many of these benefits are still being qualified for different Australian climate zones. As the industry is still in its infancy in Australia we are relying heavily on European and North American research and data.
Association Profile
Green Roofs Australasia is a not-for-profit membership organisation with an elected committee that draws together the various governmental, organizational and business groups and individuals interested in being kept informed about green roof science, technology, practice, regulations and specifications.
GRA Vision Statement
“To promote the incorporation of green roof and wall infrastructure into the built form”.
Mission Statement
“ To increase the awareness of the economic, social and environmental benefits of green roofs wall and other forms of living architecture through education, advocacy, professional development and celebrations of excellence”.
Green Roofs Australasia’s mission is to support the rapidly growing Green Roof industry in Australia, increasing the awareness of the tangible economic, social and environmental benefits of green roofs and walls and to advance and support the industry via research, development and education.
To achieve this, GRA:
• Educates the general public of the benefits of green roofs and walls
• Develops professional education programs to support excellence in the Australian Green Roof industry
• The provision and exchange of international research, policies, and design
• Organises the annual Green Roofs Australasia conference
• Supports, hosts and provides additional education opportunities
Specific areas of development
• General design for commercial, residential and retro applications
• Understand the construction requirements and options for Australia – materials/growing media/water management/drainage/species selection
• Research the environmental impact – urban heat island/water management/energy consumption/air quality
Ongoing areas for development
• Investigate and collate information on scientific research specific to environmental/health benefits
• Explore strategies to promote benefits of rooftop and vertical gardens to the public and private sectors
• Create marketing and promotional models that can be adopted Australia-wide
• Develop ongoing education programs through Green Roofs Australia and other educational institutions
• Develop strategies to promote rooftop and vertical design options in property development
• To develop standards, policy and legislation
• Research plant species suitable for Australian Green Roofs
Green roofs and walls present the opportunity of an entirely new industry in Australia and deserve consideration as an economic offset to the inevitable costs of countering climate change – as well as a way to cool and beautify the urban landscape.
Membership benefits
• Receive exclusive research updates and industry news
• Professional directory listing
• Receive discounts to future training, events and conferences
• Network with other green roof professionals
• Have a say in how GRA is developed
Further Contact & Information:
