Green track research wins national award

Awarded by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA), the prestigious recognition highlighted the project's positive impacts in delivering thoughtful research, design and infrastructure within built and natural environments.

The awards jury commended the installation of more than 1.3km of 'green track': a design featuring grass between and along the light rail tracks. The green track initiative was a first for NSW and comprises the total longest stretch in the nation.

'For Australia, the significance of this project lies in its championing of change and its demonstration that more sustainable infrastructure projects can have tangible benefits.

'It recognises and builds on many international precedents, beginning in Germany in the 1990s. These precedent projects have distinct climatic conditions, including temperate, subtropical and Mediterranean,' the award citation stated.

The project was also commended for setting a benchmark for Australian light rail, as it highlighted the importance of developing green tracks with planting that responds to the Australian climate.

AILA is the national industry body for landscape architects and aims to create great places to support healthy communities and a sustainable planet.

View the awards gallery on the AILA website.