By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
Greening Geelong has been a common catchcry for some time but a new competition hopes to extend it to places that rarely host greenery.
Future Proofing Geelong has launched a competition for the best green top in the city – the top of a building, that is.
Health fund GMHBA established a rooftop garden on its Moorabool Street head office in 2015 with staff building and tending the plants.
The garden comprises 10 raised beds covering 19 square metres of rooftop.
Produce from the garden was donated to the Christ Church Community Meals Program to assist with its evening meals program for people facing food insecurity.
Competition organiser Liz Raimondo said all building owners and businesses in Geelong were invited to register their interest in turning rooftop spaces into green Meccas.
The competition was open to anyone curious about creating a green roof space on their building, even if they were unsure of what it cost or what to do, she said.
Everyone expressing interest would be invited to the competition launch, receive help to establish their garden, receive and invitation to a free Green Roof workshop and become eligible to apply for grants.
“All green roof designs and builds entered will be in the running for a $10,000 prize pool, which will be judged and announced at the end of 2016,” Ms Raimondo said.
She was also keen to hear from product and service providers for rooftop garden design or construction.
Ms Raimondo is receiving expressions of interest by emailing raimondo@geelongcity.vic.gov.au or phoning 5272 5077.
