Heat Smart Newsletter - WSROC
Thursday, 11 June 2026 16:21
New report highlights urgent need for action on heat stress in NSW
The NSW Net Zero Commission has released its Heat Stress Spotlight Report, warning that extreme heat is one of the state's most significant and under-recognised climate risks. The report identifies nine priority actions to strengthen NSW's resilience to heat stress, including better planning, stronger workplace protections, improved heatwave preparedness, and…
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Thursday, 11 June 2026 13:57
NSW considers energy efficiency standards for rental homes
The NSW Government released a consultation paper on minimum energy rental standards (MEERS).This is a significant step towards making homes safer, healthier and more comfortable during extreme heat and cold. Proposed standards could include requirements for insulation, efficient heating and cooling, and hot water systems. The Government says the reforms…
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Thursday, 11 June 2026 13:13
Sydney’s Heat Taskforce Recognised in UNEP Global Heat Action Initiative
Sydney’s leadership in tackling extreme heat is gaining international attention, with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) featuring the region in its new Beat the Heat: 50@50 initiative. The global campaign brings together more than 50 cities and regions committed to sharing practical solutions for extreme heat resilience and sustainable…
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Tuesday, 09 June 2026 14:35
Embedding climate and health into decision-making
New resources have been released to support councils to integrate climate and health into core planning, infrastructure and asset management decisions. Developed through the NSW Government–funded Increasing Resilience to Climate Change (IRCC) program, the work is based on research led by Professor Nicky Morrison at the Urban Transformations Research Centre…
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Tuesday, 09 June 2026 14:08
New planning reforms signal stronger focus on heat resilience
New planning reforms signal stronger focus on heat resilience The proposed Climate Change and Natural Hazards State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) and accompanying urban heat policy represent a significant step toward embedding heat resilience in the NSW planning system. Developed by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, the…
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Tuesday, 09 June 2026 14:04
$1.5M for Heat Resilient Bus Shelters in Western Sydney
$1.5M for Bus Shelters: A Step Forward for Heat-Resilient Public Transport in Western Sydney NSW Government has committed $1.5 million towards a trial Bus Shelter Program in parts of Western Sydney — an initiative that will help deliver much-needed shade and comfort for people waiting for buses in one of…
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Tuesday, 09 June 2026 13:51
Sweltering Cities releases 2026 Summer Survey results
Sweltering Cities releases 2026 Summer Survey Report Sweltering Cities is Australia’s only national advocacy organisation focused specifically on extreme heat. Working at the intersection of climate, health and equity, the organisation partners with communities across the country to amplify lived experience and push for practical solutions — from cooler suburbs…
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Friday, 29 May 2026 01:35
Second Extreme Heat Awareness Day builds momentum
As Sydney Heats Up, Extreme Heat Awareness Day Drives Awareness and Action Australia’s Extreme Heat Awareness Day (EHAD) on 4 February 2026 marked a major step forward in responding to rising heat risks, with the largest national mobilisation on extreme heat to date. Led by Australian Red Cross and Sweltering…
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Thursday, 09 April 2026 13:36
Tokyo delegation shares heat knowledge
Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) was delighted recently to host a delegation representing Japan's Tokyo Metropolitan Government, visiting Australia to compare experiences and share knowledge about the impacts of extreme heat. Taskforce members University of Sydney, NSW Reconstruction Authority, Blacktown City Council, Australian Red Cross, Resilient Sydney…
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Thursday, 09 April 2026 13:27
World-Leading Climate Solutions Shared in Western Sydney
Western Sydney recently hosted a delegation from global not-for-profit organisation Resilient Cities Catalyst (RCC), who travelled to Sydney to share insights from cities around the world tackling extreme heat and other climate risks. During a week-long visit, RCC worked with the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC), Resilient Sydney…
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Thursday, 04 December 2025 12:17
Sweltering Cities' Summer Survey launches
Sweltering Cities’ annual Summer Survey launched on the 1st December. In its fourth year, the Summer Survey collects feedback from communities across Australia on their experiences of heat, health and homes. The survey is open for the entire summer period, from 1st December 2025 to 28th February 2026, and aims…
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Tuesday, 02 December 2025 16:31
Health-centred climate adaptation: Insights from local governments in western Sydney, Australia
Health-centred climate adaptation: Insights from local governments in western Sydney, Australia Submitted by: Nicky Morrison, Patrick Harris and Erica McIntyre Climate change poses a clear and growing threat to human health. While local governments are widely recognised as the key level of government responsible for climate change adaptation, they…
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Tuesday, 02 December 2025 14:11
Taskforce program multi-award winning
The Greater Sydney Heat Taskforce program is now multi-award winning, receiving the following awards and nominations during 2025. Resilient Australia Local Government Award – NSW, Winner Resilient Australia Local Government Award– National, Highly Commended Greater Sydney Heat Taskforce - Heat Smart City PlanSydney’s first multi-sector plan for heat hazard developed…
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Thursday, 27 November 2025 13:57
Extreme Heat Awareness Day, Wednesday 4 February 2026
Submitted by Farah Chaar, Sweltering Cities Join Sweltering City, Australian Red Cross and thousands of others across the country for the second national Extreme Heat Awareness Day - on Wednesday 4 Feb 2026. Last year’s inaugural Extreme Heat Awareness Day focused on conversations about heat safety with neighbours and friends,…
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Wednesday, 26 November 2025 16:24
WSROC, Resilient Sydney update Ministers on heat
WSROC and Resilient Sydney have met with six NSW Ministers in as many months to discuss delivery of the Heat Smart City Plan, receiving a positive response from all. Taskforce Co-Chair, Mr Kerry Robinson said “Heat is one of the most significant challenges facing Greater Sydney, and one that is…
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Wednesday, 26 November 2025 15:27
Heat Taskforce receives global attention
The work of the Greater Sydney Heat Taskforce has attracted international attention for its innovative approach to building heat resilience. After several record-breaking summers, cities around the world are grappling with the challenge of heat and are looking to Sydney for guidance. WSROC and other Taskforce members have been approached…
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Wednesday, 26 November 2025 15:14
Heat Smart Sydney Forum shows ongoing commitment
Heat resilience champions from across Greater Sydney gathered for the Heat Smart Sydney Forum on the 10th of November; 12 months on from the launch of the Heat Smart City Plan. The event was attended by 95 representatives from local, state and federal government, as well as industry and the…
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Thursday, 14 August 2025 18:07
Awards and honours across the sector
LGNSW Planning Awards for Cool Suburbs NSW Cool Suburbs NSW is a unique tool to support local authorities to understand and apply urban planning and design responses to mitigate urban heat and associated risks. It provides an evidence-based, practical solution to guide better development outcomes. Several councils have used the…
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Thursday, 14 August 2025 15:39
Western Sydney University presents to Istanbul conference
The Greater Sydney Heat Taskforce has attracted international attention as global cities seek to manage the growing impacts of climate change and extreme heat. A paper co-authored by Taskforce members Western Sydney University’s (WSU) Professor Nicky Morrison, and UNSW’s Dr Patrick Harris was presented to the 37th Annual Congress of…
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Wednesday, 13 August 2025 15:06
Endeavour Energy raises awareness around power outages
The past six years have shown that extreme heat and other weather events leading to unplanned power outages pose a significant risk to communities, especially those who depend on life-support medical equipment. These outages endanger lives, disrupt homes and businesses, and expose gaps in emergency preparedness. Endeavour Energy has…
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Monday, 11 August 2025 14:05
Benchmarking summer heat in Blacktown
In partnership with Western Sydney University, Blacktown City Council completed a summer heat study across our city. The project - Benchmarking Summer Heat Across Blacktown’s Diverse Urban Landscapes was conducted over the summer of 2023/24, measuring near-surface air temperatures at 198 locations across the City. This research is a critical step…
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Monday, 11 August 2025 11:59
The 50°C Climate, Heat & Resilience Program
Empowering Students Through Science: The 50°C Climate, Heat & Resilience Program Led by Powerhouse Parramatta in partnership with Western Sydney University, this Stage 5 STEM-based school program saw nearly 1,000 students from 9 Western Sydney schools investigate local heat risks and develop their own cooling solutions. Over 900 students from…
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Thursday, 01 May 2025 15:04
Taskforce teams up for Blacktown community forum
Blacktown City Council in collaboration with Sweltering Cities and the Australian Red Cross, hosted the first ever Heatwave Safe Communities Forum on 4th February 2025 Submitted by: Yael Lang, Blacktown City Council As part of Australia’s inaugural Extreme Heat Awareness Day, Blacktown City Council hosted the first ever Heatwave Safe…
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Thursday, 01 May 2025 14:59
Green Star Communities V2 drives resilience
Submitted by: Ella Mudie, Green Building Council Australia Reducing the impact of development on urban heat remains a key goal in the Green Building Council of Australia’s recently launched Green Star Communities Version 2, which aims to ensure new precincts are designed to be climate-ready, socially inclusive, and resilient to…
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Thursday, 01 May 2025 14:48
Microclimate studies provide insights for councils
Blacktown and City of Sydney each partnered with WSU Urban Transformations Research Centre (UTRC) to compete microclimate studies during summer 2023/24. The studies provide critical insights in local hotspots and cool places which can inform mitigation and adaptation strategies Submitted by Professor Sebastian Pfautsch, Western Sydney University Urban Transformations Research…
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Thursday, 01 May 2025 14:03
Sydney joins global heat resilience network
Sydney will join global cities including Chennai, New York City, Tampa, Phoenix and Mexico City as part of Resilient Cities Catalyst’s Neighbourhood Small Business Climate Resilience Program. Submitted by: Ameneé Siahpush, Resilient Cities Catalyst About Resilient Cities Catalyst. Resilient Cities Catalyst (RCC) is a global nonprofit that accelerates action and builds…
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Thursday, 01 May 2025 13:19
'HeatTracking' real-time heat-health monitoring
Submitted by: David Boettiger, Hunter New England Local Health District Over summer Hunter Local Health District trialled an innovative community-driven system for monitoring heat-related illness in Australia. Heatwaves in Australia are becoming hotter, longer, and more frequent.1 They are responsible for more deaths than all other natural disasters combined,2 and…
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Wednesday, 30 April 2025 15:36
New Resilient Sydney Strategy supports action on heat
Resilient Sydney has launched Greater Sydney’s second resilience strategy alongside NSW Minister for Recovery, the Hon. Janelle Saffin MP, Greater Sydney Mayors, and resilience leaders. Launched on 29th April, Resilient Sydney Strategy 2025 – 2030 has been developed in partnership with 33 Greater Sydney councils, communities and other stakeholders. The…
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Wednesday, 30 April 2025 14:33
NSW Planning launches cool guidance and data
Submitted by: Emma Dortins, NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Industry To help address the challenge of urban heat, the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has launched a package of new urban greening and cooling measures. The Department has released the Cooler Places web resource, two new data…
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Tuesday, 28 January 2025 10:05
AI, the cloud and data storage: Are there heat and health impacts?
Contributed by: Aditya Vyas & Jody Houston, Centre for Population Health, Western Sydney Local Health District Our fast moving digital world holds great potential to produce economic benefits and improve human health and wellbeing. The physical infrastructure of the internet is located in data centres – hosting an array of…
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Tuesday, 21 January 2025 17:18
Powerhouse prepares next generation with 50°c learning
The Powerhouse Museum has launched an innovative learning program to empower Western Sydney school students engage with the challenge of heatwaves and urban heat, and help contribute to solutions. Launched on 2nd December 2024, the 50oC: Climate, Heat & Resilience program links 945 students from across 9 schools with researchers…
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Tuesday, 21 January 2025 17:11
Extreme Heat Awareness Day - 5 Feb
Sweltering Cities and Australian Red Cross are calling on organisations across Greater Sydney to support Australia’s first ever Extreme Heat Awareness Day on February 5th, 2025. Scheduled for the hottest period of the Australian Summer, the day will kick off a week of exciting activities aimed at raising national awareness…
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Tuesday, 21 January 2025 10:42
City Plan launch a success, Taskforce looks to next steps
The Heat Smart City Plan was formally launched on the 5 December 2024 by the Hon. Penny Sharpe, NSW Minister for Climate Change, Minister for Energy, Minister for the Environment, and Minister for Heritage, and the Greater Sydney Heat Taskforce. The launch was followed by a Symposium featuring facilitated networking,…
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Friday, 17 January 2025 15:11
Heatwave combat agency appointed
On 5 December 2024, the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) endorsed a revised Heatwave Subplan. The Subplan delivers on Recommendation 27 of the Heat Smart City Plan which called for improvements in emergency arrangements including a dedicated combat agency, expanding the Subplan to include prevention and preparedness, as well as…
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