July 1, 2025 
Sandy Hodge 
4 Minute Read 
Australia has just unveiled its first Green Cool Carpark, and the results are nothing short of impressive for urban planners across the Tasman. This innovative project at Holroyd Gardens Merrylands combines native vines with a clever trellis structure, transforming what was once a scorching hot asphalt carpark into a cool, shaded oasis – offering valuable lessons for New Zealand’s own urban heat challenges.
The Cool Carpark Project represents a breakthrough in urban cooling solutions, demonstrating how smart design can tackle one of our cities’ biggest challenges: extreme heat. With funding from the NSW Government’s Greening Our City grant program and expertise from Western Sydney University, this prototype has delivered results that could revolutionise how New Zealand approaches urban cooling.
The transformation has been remarkable. Shade cast by the native vines has reduced surface temperatures by up to 50 percent, while improving human thermal comfort by a significant 10°C. Air temperatures beneath the structure are up to 2.5°C cooler compared to areas exposed to direct sunlight.
What makes this project particularly impressive is that it achieved these results without sacrificing a single parking space. The addition of green infrastructure enhanced the carpark while delivering thermal performance that surpassed initial projections – a model that could work perfectly in New Zealand’s urban centres.
While temperature reduction was the primary goal, the Cool Carpark delivers value in unexpected ways that would resonate with New Zealand councils managing tight budgets. Cars parked beneath the structure are protected from UV damage that typically fades paint and weakens plastic trims. The asphalt itself benefits too, with the shade helping preserve the surface and extend its lifespan, ultimately saving money on repairs and maintenance.
Users of the carpark now enjoy a dramatically more comfortable experience, while nearby plants benefit from the cooler microclimate, helping them thrive even during intense summer heat – benefits that would be equally valuable in New Zealand’s increasingly warm summers.
Lead researcher Professor Sebastian Pfautsch highlighted that this nature-based approach is perfect for spaces where traditional tree planting isn’t feasible, but cooling is still desperately needed. The vines flourished in their first season and are expected to provide complete coverage of the structure within five years.
Maintenance requirements are refreshingly simple, requiring only occasional pruning and guidance. The strategic placement of the trellis on the western side of the carpark helps block the harsh afternoon sun when it’s needed most – a principle that would work equally well in New Zealand’s climate.
The Australian project tackles a significant urban challenge that mirrors New Zealand’s own situation. With nearly one square kilometre of unshaded car parks in the Western Sydney area alone, and a staggering 99 percent of Western Sydney’s car parks lacking any shade coverage, the need for scalable solutions has never been more urgent.
This prototype represents exactly the kind of transferable solution that could revolutionise how local councils across New Zealand address urban heat. As cities on both sides of the Tasman continue to grapple with rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events, innovative approaches like the Cool Carpark offer a practical pathway forward.
The project demonstrates how integrating smart design with green infrastructure can future-proof public spaces in an era of climate change. By proving that effective cooling solutions don’t require choosing between functionality and environmental benefits, this Australian initiative sets a new benchmark that New Zealand urban planners should seriously consider.
For New Zealand councils facing similar challenges with urban heat islands, particularly in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, this Australian success story offers a proven template. Native New Zealand vines like kawakawa or climbing rātā could potentially be adapted for similar structures, creating cooling solutions that are both effective and culturally appropriate.
As we face an increasingly hot future, projects like Australia’s Cool Carpark show that with creativity and commitment to sustainability, we can build more resilient communities that work better for both people and the environment. The success of this prototype suggests that trans-Tasman collaboration on urban cooling solutions could be the key to reimagining how our urban spaces adapt and thrive in a changing climate.
