Brisbane City Council have proposed changes to the City plan in regard to landscape and greenspace on podium. ‘On podium’ or ‘on structure’ landscapes include landscapes in planter boxes, green walls, trellises or landscape that is not growing in ‘deep soil’ earth.

There has been a huge amount of interest in this area in an attempt to reduce the heat island effect. The urban heat island effect is where city temperatures are rising due to the amount of hard surfaces and reflective finishes – i.e. to put it simply to much concrete and glass.

The changes are do to with rooftop gardens and on structure landscapes. You can view the proposed changes here or click the image below to open the BCC website.

The proposed amendments include a range of initiatives to increase the quality of green space to multi-storey buildings.

The changes include:

• changes to zones where rooftop gardens are being supported.
• additional rooftop garden standards and provisions.
• required standards for a rooftop garden to not be considered a storey.
• and proposed changes to the Landscape work code and supporting planning scheme policies.

• refine the design, construction and certification of these types of on podium landscapes.
• Include all zones within the changes from educational facilities through to multi-level carparks
• Focus more on the amenity and reduction of the heat island effect

• define specifications for construct-ability and soil within these structures
• Requirements for experts to provide advice on these types of landscapes including but not limited to horticulturalists, arborists, waterproofing specialists, soil scientists, and landscape construction and maintenance contractors.