Blacktown paves the way to a cooler city

Published on 01 April 2020

Blacktown City Council is trialling an innovative road solution that aims to reduce the urban heat island effect from our roads.

CoolSeal is a light grey coloured coating which can be 5-14ºC cooler than regular dark asphalt on a hot day and is now being trialled on a number of streets in Ropes Crossing.

The trial is being conducted in partnership with City of Parramatta and Campbelltown councils, and Western Sydney University. It will investigate how lighter coloured roads can help reduce the amount of heat being absorbed and retained by roads on hot days.

Blacktown City Mayor, Tony Bleasdale OAM said, “Western Sydney has consistently higher summer temperatures than the average for the metropolitan area.

“Dark road surfaces are a contributor to urban heat, which in turn is a contributor to climate change.

“Blacktown City Council is a leader in urban environmental planning and innovation, and by trialling the CoolSeal project we hope to reduce the urban heat impact on our residents.” Mayor Bleasdale said.

Mortlock Avenue, O’Donoghue Street, Burnet Court, Bartlett Avenue and Kobe Street in Ropes Crossing are among the first roads in New South Wales to be coated with the CoolSeal surface sealant.

SuperSealing CEO Ben Reiter said, “Most cities need some sort of relief from the urban heat island effect. CoolSeal is a practical way to address this and it’s great that we can partner with Parramatta, Blacktown and Campbelltown councils to use innovation to help improve the wellbeing of their communities.”

Photo: Contractors apply the CoolSeal sealing in Kobe Street, Ropes Crossing.