Building Resilience to Heatwaves in Regional NSW
A University of Newcastle-led research project funded by the Australian Government's Disaster Ready Fund, working to improve preparedness for the escalating heatwave threats in New South Wales.
Project Overview
Heatwaves are Australia’s deadliest natural hazard, and their frequency, duration, and intensity are increasing under climate change. The Heatwave Hub, funded by the Disaster Ready Fund aims to improve understanding of where and why communities are most at risk from extreme heat and to support targeted adaptation and resilience planning across New South Wales (NSW).
Using advanced geospatial analysis and modeling, the project will identify vulnerable populations, assess current and future heat risks, and pinpoint best practices for heatwave adaptation. Collaboration with Local Government Areas (LGAs) ensures that councils can integrate heatwave resilience into urban planning and service delivery.
Through interviews, focus groups, and co-design workshops, stakeholders will collaboratively identify gaps, share experiences, and develop locally relevant strategies. By combining data-driven insights with participatory approaches, the Heatwave Hub empowers communities, strengthens planning and service delivery, and helps reduce the health and social impacts of increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves.
Funding & Timeline
- Total Funding
- $1.3M
- Duration
- 3 Years
- Funder
- Australian Government
Disaster Ready Fund - Lead Institution
- University of Newcastle
What the Hub Delivers
Risk Assessment & Mapping
Interactive map ranking NSW LGAs by their current and future heatwave risk using the Combined Heatwave Risk Index (CHRI).
Preparedness Planning
Tailored heatwave preparedness strategies co-designed with local government representatives from high-risk areas.
Community Education
Resources and assessments to help individuals and communities understand their heatwave readiness and take action.
Our Research Approach
Evidence Gathering
We analyze heatwave risk factors, census data, and community vulnerability across all NSW LGAs to create a comprehensive risk picture.
Community Engagement
Local government representatives from high-risk areas participate in workshops to co-design resilience strategies tailored to their communities.
Digital Collaboration
The Heatwave Hub serves as an ongoing platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and education around heatwave preparedness.
Evaluation & Measurement
Researchers track preparedness improvements in pilot communities to measure the effectiveness of interventions and gather insights for broader implementation.
Research Team
Individual A
Role A
University of A
Individual B
Role B
University of B
Individual C
Role C
University of C
Individual D
Role D
University of D
Individual E
Role E
University of E
Common Questions
Who is this hub for?
The Heatwave Hub is designed for everyone: individuals looking to improve their personal heat readiness, local government staff planning community resilience strategies, and researchers studying heatwave preparedness and impacts.
How can I use the Heatwave Hub?
You can:
- Take the Heatwave Readiness Assessment to evaluate your preparedness
- Explore the interactive map to see heatwave risk in your region
- Access preparation resources and strategies to build resilience
- Find cooling centres and support services in your area
Is my data private?
Yes. Your assessment responses are securely stored and used only for research and program evaluation purposes. Data is anonymized and reported only in aggregate form to protect individual privacy.
How often is the data updated?
Heatwave risk data is updated as new research and climate projections become available. Community feedback and assessment data help us continuously improve the hub's resources and recommendations.
How can my local government get involved?
Contact the research team to discuss how your LGA can participate in workshops, co-design preparedness strategies, and access aggregated regional data from the hub. Reach out via the contact page for partnership inquiries.
Ready to Build Your Resilience?
Start your journey to better heatwave preparedness today.
Questions or Feedback?
We'd love to hear from you. For inquiries or general feedback please contact:
University of Newcastle - Heatwave Hub Team (Contact Link)
Led by X, Y, and Z.
A project funded by the Australian Government's Disaster Ready Fund