Presentation to Council re Heatwave Havens

Summary: The Southcoast Health and Sustainability Alliance (SHASA) is advocating for the Eurobodalla Shire Council to take action in preparation for the anticipated heatwaves, urging the council to consider using public facilities, including halls, as heat havens. With the looming threat of heatwaves leading to increased hospitalizations and deaths, supported by research indicating the risks, SHASA emphasizes the importance of having a Heatwave Plan in place before the upcoming bushfire/heatwave season. SHASA has already undertaken projects to establish heatwave havens across the Eurobodalla, upgrading community-owned facilities to provide safe refuges during extreme weather events. They have received funding for several havens and are seeking to expand this initiative, including collaboration with the council and applications for further funding. Additionally, SHASA suggests considering community clubs as interim heatwave havens due to their infrastructure advantages. They propose engaging with the clubs and advocating for legislative changes to enable their use as refuges during extreme heat events. Overall, SHASA emphasizes the urgency of the situation and the need for swift action to establish operational heatwave havens within the council’s jurisdiction.