Resilient Strathfield

Heatwaves are responsible for more deaths in Australia than any other natural hazard, including bushfires, cyclones and floods. Heatwaves are expected to become hotter, longer, and more frequent in future.

There is a need to ensure we understand and plan for the significant and growing heatwave risk. There are many ways we can work to reduce heat in the environment including:

  • Planting more trees for shade and increasing greenspaces
  • Designing new buildings with ‘cool materials’ that hold less heat
  • Upgrading older buildings to better protect people during hot weather
  • Taking action on climate change 

However, even with these actions, major heatwaves will still occur. As a result, we need to be prepared to respond to extreme heat events by:

  • Understanding heat related illness
  • Having a heatwave plan – organisation, household or individual
  • Taking action during a heatwave to:
  • Keep your body cool
  • Keep your home cool
  • Check on others and offer help where needed.

Fortunately, these actions are mostly people-centred and low-cost. With the right information and support in place, everyone can be better prepared for heatwaves.

Heat Smart Toolkit

The Heat Smart Tool Kit was designed to help local organisations and community groups develop a basic heatwave plan and identify ways to support staff, volunteers and clients, to ensure they are prepared to stay safe during extreme heat.

It provides information on:

  • Who is at risk
  • Key challenges people face
  • Signs and symptoms of heat-related illness
  • Key planning considerations for organisations
  • A heatwave planning checklist (for all organisations)
  • A client welfare checklist (for home care service providers

Explore the Heat Smart Tool Kit (PDF, 2.5MB) to help you plan, prepare and respond to extreme heat and heatwaves. 

This toolkit is part of the Heat Smart Western Sydney program which seeks to build Western Sydney’s resilience to heatwaves with a focus on at-risk communities. For more information on this project, visit Heat Smart Western Sydney

The Toolkit was developed by the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) in partnership with Blacktown City Council, Cumberland City Council, Hawkesbury City Council, Liverpool City Council, City of Parramatta Council, Penrith City Council, the Western Sydney Local Health District, and consultancy Risk Frontiers.

 

 

 

 

 

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