A Perth council will call for a blanket ban on the use of dark coloured roofing materials at a national level.
City of Cockburn councillors voted on Tuesday to appoint mayor Logan Howlett as a voting delegate to the Australian Local Government Association’s 2024 national general assembly.
Mr Howlett will fly to Canberra on July 2 and is set to be joined by deputy mayor Chontelle Stone, who was also appointed to attend the assembly after nominating herself.
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READ NOWCr Stone told councillors she would like to speak to the roofing motion at the assembly, which calls on the Federal Government to encourage States and Territories to implement a blanket ban on dark materials in an effort to alleviate the urban heat island (UHI) effect.
A council report cited an influx of houses with dark roofs in newer suburbs and areas undergoing redevelopment.
“This increases the heat island effect, increasing the electricity consumption and the cost of cooling these homes,” it said.
“The UHI effect is a phenomenon that occurs when built-up areas, like cities and towns, are significantly warmer than their rural surroundings.
“This is due to the increased heat absorption by materials commonly used in construction, such as asphalt, steel and concrete.”
The report cited air pollution, decreased water quality and heat stress in humans as effects of UHI.
Cr Phillip Eva asked for the total cost of the Canberra trip to be made public but was told an estimate could not be given before the motion had passed — which it then did, 8-1.