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What is a heatwave?
There is no single internationally accepted definition of a heatwave, however in Victoria, a heatwave is a period of unusual and uncomfortable hot weather that could negatively affect human health, and community infrastructure (such as the power supply and public transport) and services. (Heat Health Plan for Victoria 2015)
The Bureau of Meteorology’s
Heatwave service for Australia defines a heatwave as 'three days or more of high maximum and minimum temperatures that are unusual for that location'.
Heat health alerts
The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has identified the temperature thresholds in Victoria where heat related illnesses increase substantially. The mean threshold temperature for the Melbourne metropolitan region is 30°C.
The mean threshold is determined where the average of the daily maximum temperature and the overnight minimum temperature of the following day is calculated at 30°C or greater.
The DHHS Chief Health Officer of Victoria will issue a heat health alert to organisations including local governments when the Bureau of Meteorology predicts temperature thresholds will be reached or exceeded.
You can personally receive a heat health alert notification from DHHS via email when you subscribe to the
heat health alert system.
What does the City of Melbourne do when a heat health alert has been issued?
We have a Heatwave Response Plan. The plan includes notifying service providers, agencies and established community group organisations that interact with people who may be vulnerable to heat-related illnesses when a heat health alert has been issued.
Dealing with heatwaves – top tips
Exposure to extreme heat can cause heat exhaustion, heat stroke and sometimes death. On hot days it is vital to stay cool and safe.
Our Summer Sense fact sheets have practical tips for preparing for and staying safe during extreme heat days:
Stay cool and hydrated in the city – cool places and drinking fountains
If it’s too hot where you are living, consider going to an air conditioned shopping centre, library or movie theatre. Or visit a friend or family member that has air conditioning in their home.
Our Cool Places map details where to go for respite from the heat:
Drinking fountains
Drinking water is vital during hot weather. There are many free bubbler drinking fountains as well as more than 60 drinking fountains fitted with water bottle refill taps across the city, as part of a
joint initiative between VicHealth and the City of Melbourne. Check our interactive drinking fountains map or download the free smartphone app Choose Tap to find the nearest water station when you are out and about.
Cool Routes
Cool Routes is a website you can access on the go – including through your smartphone – to plot your journey to any destination you choose across the CBD, Southbank and City North. Cool Routes takes into account the time of day, the city architecture and surrounds to give you not necessarily the fastest route, but the route best protected from the sun and heat.
By using Cool Routes you can make your walk or cycle journey around the city more comfortable and help to protect yourself from the worst of the heat. Use Cool Routes and plan your journey at www.coolroutes.com.au.
Heatwaves and homelessness
Since 2013, the City of Melbourne has implemented a Heatwave and Homelessness Program to provide highly vulnerable people living in the municipality heat respite options.
The program will run from 1 December 2020 to 1 April 2021 to help mitigate the effects of extreme heat on people who are experiencing homelessness. The program is a joint undertaking by the On-street Support and Compliance Branch and the Health and Wellbeing Branch and involves eight external support agencies.
The City of Melbourne has had to revise the scope of the Heatwave and Homelessness Program in consideration of COVID-19 impacts. Alternative cooling methods provided to homelessness agencies this season include water bottles, mosquito repellent, cooling towels, sunscreen and hats.