Melbourne's Woodhaven Estate Bans Fake Grass

0:00From Sydney, this is your March 16th update. A new housing estate in Melbourne, South East, is making ways by banning fake grass across all 500 homes. Developers are turning a retired 18-hole golf course in Cranmore, North, into the Woodhaven project, and the City of Casey Council approved it. Last month with this unusual rule in the fine print, the site operated as a golf course for 72 years before closing in February, serving as one of the area's biggest green spaces. This marks the council's first big development vote, since a previous one was sacked amid corruption probes back in 2020. Urban heat is the big driver here, since parts of Casey have just 1-5% tree canopy cover, way below Melbourne's average. Officials say fake turf traps heat worse than concrete, and shed fibers into waterways, so they're pushing for cooler neighborhoods. The estate will aim for 30% tree canopy on streets, and 20% overall, plus lighter roofs to reflect heat. The council and developers both back it as a step toward greener communities amid rapid

1:03growth. Meanwhile, the project faces objections from locals in a possible tribunal challenge, but experts like those from swattering cities praise it for. Cutting local temperatures by several degrees, the daily news now is powered by our sponsor. Soley Pillow is a pillow with built-in headphones, lay back, press play, and disappear into what you are listening to. S-O-L-I, soleypillow.com.