Gerald Lynch
Brimbank residents can expect twice as many days over 35 degrees celsius by 2090 if Australia continues its existing environmental action, Climate Council has warned.
An alarming new interactive heat map shows predicted temperature rises across Australia, with almost all Brimbank suburbs seeing an extra week of days above 35 degrees by 2090.
According to the Climate Council, Keilor, Sunshine North, Kealba, Taylors Lakes, and Keilor Downs will have the highest with 16 days above 35 degrees, while most other suburbs will have 15 days, including Derrimut, Sunshine, Caroline Springs, Cairnlea, Sydenham, Hillside, Deer Park, Albanvale, and Burnside.
Every single suburb is expected to nearly double in days over 35 degrees, spelling trouble for the future generations of Melbourne’s west.
Climate Council research director Dr Simon Bradshaw said inland suburbs are often warmer than the inner city due to a variety of geographical factors, including being further from the coast.
“This can be further exacerbated by lack of green space, too much concrete and asphalt, and dark roofs which absorb more heat,” he said.
“Poor quality housing and lower incomes- leaving people unable to cool their homes- may further exacerbate the problem.
“It is essential that new developments do not repeat the planning mistakes of the past, and that communities are designed to be as resilient as possible to rising temperatures.
“This means plenty of vegetation and shade, thermally efficient homes… good public transport, and readily available cool refuges… for anyone who may be otherwise unable to escape the heat.”
Dr Bradshaw said the projections do not take into account new urban development, such as the growth in Melbourne’s north and west.
“However, we know that good urban planning is essential to managing the risks of extreme heat, and that poor design can exacerbate the heat impacts of climate change,” he said.
Heat map: www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/heatmap/
