Extreme heat has been identified as one of the biggest climate change threats to the Australian community. In the inner-west of Sydney we have a heat map and a vulnerability map, but what does our community think about heat?

We found out more about what our community thinks about heat over the Summer 2015/16, Marrickville Council surveyed the community and interviewed older people. Online surveys told us about the level of community awareness of the health risks of heat, how people find out about extreme heat and the local services and facilities that they access to help cope when it is very hot. Interviews with Seniors Groups gave further insight into how vulnerable people in our community currently experience heat, how they cope and what they do to prepare for heat and what sort of assistance they require and value.

Combined with a thermal and social “hotspots” map of the Marrickville Local Government Area this information will assist us in planning and prioritising heat mitigation action, such as streetscape works, tree planting programs, community facilities and support programs, and education campaigns.

Finding out what our community thinks enables us to implement practical measures straight away that can support our community in current hot weather and will also support the future adaptive capacity of our community and places.