While many Aussie icons may be affected by climate change, prolonged heat may also affect our everyday icons – like our lifestyle and the ‘great Aussie backyard’. Some local governments are preparing resources for their community to build relationships and plan ahead to help them cope with prolonged high temperatures.

Prolonged heat can be a killer, particularly for the elderly, young children or those who are ill. It can bring on short term but dangerous conditions like exhaustion and heatstroke. For people at risk it increases the likelihood of heart attacks and kidney disease or mental and behavioural disorders.

Managing heat is everyone’s responsibility. To help their community to know what to do, one local government in Melbourne has developed an extreme heat plan. The key message is ‘to plan ahead to keep your cool’.

The plan, developed by the City of Hobsons Bay in Melbourne, outlines how council, community groups and the state government can work together during extreme heat events to support people most vulnerable to heatwaves.

Resources include online tips for the community such as keeping in touch with sick or frail friends, neighbours and relatives; spending time in cool or air‑conditioned buildings; avoiding strenuous activity; and following news and weather reports. Another resource— a two minute YouTube video — includes advice on being prepared for a heatwave.

A community register—developed through a partnership between council, police and a community service organisation—is a confidential database of local residents who are over 50 years of age and/or have a disability. Volunteers make regular phone calls to these residents to check on their wellbeing.
 

• Does your community have (or need) a plan for extreme heat? Will extreme heat prompt lifestyle changes in your community?
• How do people keep cool in your area? Do you have a community refuge from the heat—like an air-conditioned library or a public swimming pool where people congregate in hot weather? Are these refuges really equipped to cope with prolonged extreme heat?
• Can you suggest some good ideas or resources for managing during heatwaves?