The City of Melbourne has also engaged the Salvation Army to extend their opening hours, to provide respite and a range of support options for those most at risk.
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a hot and very sunny day tomorrow, with a low of 20 and a high of 41 degrees forecast.
City of Melbourne's Director of City Communities Linda Weatherson said extreme heat is a silent killer that takes its highest toll on our most vulnerable.
"People who are sleeping rough, or at risk of homelessness, represent some of the most vulnerable in our community. This plan provides some welcome respite to those who have nowhere else to go on days of extreme heat," Ms Weatherson said.
"The simple act of inviting someone inside to escape the heat of the day to use one of our swimming pools, see a movie or just sit in an air-conditioned room could save a life."
As part of the Heatwave Response Plan, the City of Melbourne provides the following programs:
Pool Pass Program - People experiencing homelessness will be provided with free swim and locker passes for use at any of the City of Melbourne's aquatic facilities. The pools pass distribution commenced on 1 December 2017 by homelessness service providers.
Movie Pass Program - The City of Melbourne has purchased movie tickets to distribute free of charge to people experiencing homelessness. By going into a cinema, people can access cool, safe, welcoming, inclusive environments after hours and on weekends during extreme heat. The passes will be distributed by homelessness service providers between 1 December 2017 and 30 April 2018.
Support to people living in rooming houses – Through the City of Melbourne partnership with Cohealth support is provided to people living in rooming houses to ensure they remain safe and healthy during extreme heat periods.
Cool Places Program – As part of the Night Time Safe Spaces Contract, the Salvation Army's Hamodava Café at 69 Bourke Street Melbourne will remain open from 11pm to 7am until 9 February 2018, offering respite during much of summer. Arrangements are in place to open the café as required in response to extreme weather events until 30 April 2018.
Ms Weatherson said there were also more than 60 water fountains installed across the city through a joint initiative between VicHealth and the City of Melbourne.
"You can now access free water at key sites such as Swanston Street, the Bourke Street Mall, and in recreational areas such as the Tan Track."
The City of Melbourne website features a
map of the drinking fountains, and you can also download a free smartphone app Choose Tap to find the water fountain closest to you.
Background
The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts weather events such heatwave or periods of extreme heat and advises Department of Health, which then determines appropriate warning and advice to Council.
The City of Melbourne distributes the Victorian Government Heat Health Alert to service providers in the city. The alerts include information about access to cool or shaded spaces, the location of drinking fountains and how to prevent heat-related illness.
Information will be distributed through our Melbourne Homelessness Service Coordination partners, who have regular contact with people sleeping rough, living in rooming houses as well as people who are at risk of homelessness.
The City of Melbourne piloted this plan in 2014-15. This initiative is now in its fourth year. In 2016-17 almost 170 people accessed City of Melbourne pools through the program.
Homeless services supporting this program
- City of Melbourne's Daily Support Team
- Salvation Army 614
- WIRE - Women's Information and Referral Exchange Inc.
- Frontyard Youth Services
- Youth Projects
- Cohealth
- Lazarus Centre (Anglicare)
- Launch Housing
- Bolton Clarke (formerly Royal District Nursing Service)
- Ozanam Community Centre