Cumberland Councillor Sabrin Farooqui has called for the council to take urgent action to develop programs to help the community cope during extreme heat.
“With predictions for more frequent and longer heatwaves there is a need to ensure our community will be prepared for the summer … and they are safe,” she said.
At her request, the council will investigate how it could implement targeted programs that assist and provide relief for the community during the anticipated summer heat waves, ensure programs cater for vulnerable groups that are more at risk and include a range of initiatives that can be funded on an ongoing basis.
She said opening up the council’s air-conditioned facilities for the community was just one idea.
“With predictions for more frequent and longer heatwaves, there is a need to ensure our community will be prepared for the summer … and they are safe,” Cr Farooqui said.
“We need to explore options of managing the heatwave emergencies with a focus on how we can sort our most vulnerable.
“With the rising costs of living, it’s not an option for many of us to go home and turn on the air-con.
“So, we need a plan.”
Councillor Mohamad Hussein said heat was the deadliest weather-related hazard in Australia and also asked that extra focus be given to senior citizens, youth and multicultural communities, to keep them safe – even suggesting that ‘SOS emergency buttons’ be considered for the elderly and those with disabilities.
“A lot of people fail to take extreme heat seriously and they end up in emergency. We need to take extreme weather and heat seriously,” he said.
