Designing for the Climate We Have (and the One We’re Getting)

Heat is Australia’s deadliest natural hazard, and as temperatures rise, the challenge of keeping our communities safe and healthy becomes more urgent than ever. While we often hear about the impact of heat in sprawling urban centres like Western Sydney, the lessons learned there have profound relevance for every community across Australia, particularly in remote and Indigenous contexts.

Figure 1. Infographic outlining impacts of heat in Greater Sydney (Reprinted from page 25 of Heat Smart City Plan).

Healthabitat was heartened to see, during a recent seminar, the work of the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) “Turn Down the Heat” initiative. We were impressed by how a collaborative, data-driven approach is being used to tackle a challenge that has a direct impact on people’s health and well-being.

The WSROC program is a multi-sector strategy that has brought together experts to develop practical tools for building heat-resilient communities. Two of the most compelling examples are the Cool Suburbs rating tool and the Urban Heat Planning Toolkit. These are not just academic exercises; they are design and planning systems that translate urban heat science into clear, actionable metrics for developers, planners, and councils. They measure a building’s or precinct’s ability to reduce heat and improve thermal comfort through passive design, shading, and the use of cool, reflective materials.

But as the discussion made clear, the problem of heat is fundamentally one of equity. The burden of extreme heat is not shared equally. In both urban and remote settings, it is often low-income households and disadvantaged communities who are most at risk. They are more likely to live in older, poorly insulated homes with inadequate shade and limited access to affordable cooling. The financial strain of soaring energy bills for air conditioning (if it’s even an option) can force families to choose between staying cool and paying for other essentials. This makes heatwaves a matter of life and death, and it’s a systemic problem that must be addressed through policy and design.

WSROC has proven that the technology, skills, and data exist to create smarter, more resilient places to live. They have shown that through multi-sector collaboration, it is possible to implement large-scale change. The challenge now is not to ask what is possible, but to demand action. We already have the tools, the money, and the skills needed to make a difference. What we now need is proactive and visionary leadership at all levels of government, among service providers, and within communities themselves to see the writing on the wall and take steps, ensuring that everyone has the right to a safe, healthy, and cool home, no matter where they live.