Western Sydney experiences a significant number of extreme heat days, due to a combination of climate change, local geography, low tree canopy cover and rapid urbanisation.
The health impacts of heat stress are serious, especially for vulnerable populations such as babies, older adults and outdoor workers. In addition to heat stress, exposure to UV radiation from the sun causes skin cancer, the most common cancer in Australia.
The Centre for Population Health’s Health Promotion Team works with Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC), our local Councils and the Cancer Institute on a range of projects to mitigate heat and UV exposure and to increase residents’ ability to adapt to heat impacts.
Services
Turn Down the Heat
We partnered with WSROC, in the development of:
Shade Smart
Centre for Population Health engaged the Cancer Institute NSW to present the findings of the Benchmarking Shade in Playgrounds to Blacktown, Cumberland and City of Parramatta Councils.
We plan to explore additional opportunities to work with our Local Councils and the Cancer Institute to increase the provision of shade; with a focus on increasing natural shade provided by tree canopy cover, which has multiple health benefits, as well as environmental benefits.
Resources
Useful links