MICHAEL CASEY, FOUNDER & DIRECTOR, EVERGREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

Q What are the biggest challenges facing your industry right now?

A Green infrastructure is a relatively new industry in Australia; one that’s growing rapidly as cities and local councils understand more about the multiple benefits green infrastructure can provide to the social, environmental and economic sectors.

As we all start realising that the solution of urban greening is so important to climate mitigation and demand increases, we will find ourselves short of professionals in the industry to design, install and maintain these assets.

The industry has training in place and is ready to have it adopted by training facilities, just as our current workforce is ready to train and take on new staff, however, more importantly, our biggest challenge outside of training and education is the need to have urban greening solutions included in all new developments regardless of size and use.

Q What opportunities do you predict for the growth of your industry in 2024?

A Green infrastructure is growing in popularity, not only through the works of forwardthinking architects and urban planners, but also through the eyes and thoughts of the general public, who are demanding a greener environment to live in.

People want to see cities reinvented and greenery added in at all levels, not just through the implementation of engineered infrastructure such as green walls and roofs, but through the naturing of cities and regional communities around the world.

The introduction of greenspaces and nature corridors will not only enhance our cities but will provide a “green economy” on the back of multiple environmental and social benefits.

Q What is unique to your company this is not being widely done by others in your industry, and why is it valuable?

A Evergreen Infrastructure is a leading green infrastructure and nature-based solutions firm that stands as a beacon of green ingenuity, playing a pivotal role in reshaping the urban landscape, with sustainability at its core. The essence of Evergreen’s approach lies in its ability to turn private and commercial spaces into sustainable ecosystems that benefit both humans and nature.

Our consulting and design firm works and collaborates with other professionals to ensure we can provide the best solutions for our clients in the commercial, domestic, education and health sectors.

The team at Evergreen provide a rare combination of skills that enable us to address all the challenges and complexities that come with green infrastructure projects. We are a team of passionate horticulturists, designers, builders and lovers of nature, all driven by green integrity and a desire to increase awareness and adoption of urban greening practices.

Q What do you feel is your industry’s biggest contribution to the public space arena over the last decade and what lasting changes has it supported?

A Over the last 15 years, we have worked at the forefront of green infrastructure in Australia, contributing to guidelines and best practice documents. Evergreen Infrastructure was invited, as a subject matter expert, to prepare the education program for green infrastructure in Australia, and has attended forums and industry discussions regarding future directions for the industry, as well as presented at countless conferences on topics of urban greening and, more importantly, delivered many projects in the domestic, commercial, health and education sectors.

In doing so, we have endeavoured to demonstrate high-quality and wellthought- through solutions to assist our clients to obtain the best from their projects, delivering real benefits in the social, environmental and economic sectors. Our solution-based company ensures we can assist all sectors of our community to achieve the best outcomes for the community and the environment.

Q In what direction would you like to see your company move over the next five years?

A As our company evolves into the next stages of growth, we will be welcoming more work in the health and education sectors, as our clients recognise the multiple benefits that urban greening has on the whole community.

Our company will be soon delivering quality training programs to the industry to learn from, and our consultation arm of the company will move further into training the corporate world on their social and environmental responsibilities and how the use and investment into urban greening solutions can benefit them and the community.

Evergreen Infrastructure will continue to work with the industry and our fellow professionals in providing real solutions to mitigate climatic and social issues. We pride ourselves on a multidisciplinary approach as we continue to collaborate with the best specialists in urban greening and social and environmental sciences.

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MICHAEL CASEY

Michael Casey is a visionary in the realm of green infrastructure. As a horticulturist and advocate for nature-based solutions, his career has demonstrated a dedication to enriching environments, enhancing wellbeing, and fostering sustainable connections between urban landscapes and the natural world. With a portfolio spanning various sectors, Michael’s work extends beyond landscape design, encompassing innovative projects such as green walls, green roofs and urban farming initiatives.