AusLeisure

A group of leading Melbourne-based sustainability companies are collaborating to transform the 2000 metre² Siddeley Street rooftop car park, managed by Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), into a thriving farm with sustainable and contemporary dining, education and event spaces.

Melbourne Skyfarm has been initiated by Melbourne-based nature regeneration and protection group Odonata, urban farming company Biofilta and The Sustainable Landscape Company, with the support of MCEC and City of Melbourne’s Urban Forest Fund.

The rooftop will be home to an advanced urban rooftop farm, rooftop orchard and beekeeping, environmental education centre and design hub, and 90 seat licensed café with elevated terrace and event space.

The farm will grow over five tonnes of fresh produce per annum, with a large proportion of produce being donated to Melbourne food charities, as well as being used on the menu of the Melbourne Skyfarm cafe.

Advising that Melbourne Skyfarm is a unique opportunity for MCEC to contribute to the sustainability of the Melbourne CBD and in particular, the South Wharf and Docklands precincts, MCEC Chief Executive Peter King stated “we will work closely with the Skyfarm team to explore the many exciting opportunities this new partnership can offer MCEC’s customers, visitors and employees.”

Melbourne Skyfarm Director Brendan Condon said Melbourne Skyfarm will showcase what is possible for sustainable cities embracing the future.

Condon stated “Skyfarm will transform a concrete carpark into an inner city rooftop oasis and thriving urban farm, where Melburnians can enjoy a meal, explore a beautiful landscape, have an engaging educational experience and find out about emerging solutions to environmental challenges.”

The project aims to construct a demonstration working farm for second half of 2019, with all elements and buildings completed by late 2020.

For more information on the Melbourne Skyfarm go to www.melbourneskyfarm.com.au.

Information on Melbourne Skyfarm partners can be viewed at:

Biofilta www.biofilta.com.au
The Sustainable Landscape Company www.theslc.com.au
Odonata www.odonata.org.au

Related Articles

1st February 2019 - AIME announces partnerships to champion sustainability

19th February 2018 - MCEC looks forward to cleaner and greener future

7th September 2017 - Rare ACT plants in the spotlight on Threatened Species Day

19th July 2017 - City of Melbourne unveils first green laneway

27th November 2016 - New Orange Regional Museum opens beneath massive green roof

17th October 2016 - Rising temperatures set to devastate plant life

7th September 2012 - Leisure heads to city rooftops

17th January 2012 - Plantbank vital for bio-diversity

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.