With the WA state election right around the corner, now is the perfect time to talk about how hot it’s been, how heat impacts us and our communities, and especially whether the people asking for your vote have a plan to keep WA communities safe. Here are some of the hottest policy issues in WA, and what our government can do to help us tackle them.
🏡Housing
The type of housing people live in, and financial strain, has a huge impact on people’s ability to stay cool during extreme heat. Poorly insulated homes, particularly in social housing and rental properties, become unbearable and dangerous in high temperatures.
“Living in public housing during summer is torture. Most rooms get up to 35 degrees and basically stay that hot throughout summer” – Clarkson resident
- Invest in social housing, including committing to a state-wide social housing energy efficiency retrofit program
- Introduce minimum rental standards to require landlords to ensure proper insulation and cooling systems in rental properties
Read more about Shelter WA’s platform for housing here
💸Inequality
Extreme heat disproportionately affects lower-income households and communities, especially in the current cost of living crisis, where many can’t afford the cost of cooling or energy-efficient homes
“We have to make choices between how big our power bill will be for cooling vs eating well”
– Ellenbrook resident
- Expand access to renewable energy and energy efficiency programs to reduce bills and help WA communities stay cool
- Support social services working directly with communities most impacted by rising heat, particularly for First Nations peoples living in our hottest communities
Read more about WACOSS’s platform for reducing inequality here
🌳Trees
Perth currently has the lowest tree canopy coverage of any capital city in Australia, leading to higher temperatures in urban areas, often referred to as the “urban heat island” effect
When asked what things could be changed in homes, suburbs or workplaces to increase heatwave safety, 72% of WA residents mentioned more trees in their response.
- Address Perth’s shrinking tree canopy coverage with a 30% tree canopy target by 2040
- Strengthen WA’s tree protection by implementing effective regulations for the removal of large trees in urban areas
Read more about trees here
🌏Climate
While WA has always been a hot state, heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. Bold climate action is essential to stopping further temperature rises.
“I feel more anxious and depressed when heatwaves hit. Especially since we know the acceleration of heatwaves is a symptom of the climate crisis” – Beechboro resident
- Set and legislate accountability measures for ambitious climate action and a transition to a renewable energy economy
- Work with communities to transition towards sustainable, thriving, equitable industries, towns and cities.
Read more about CCWA’s platform for climate here
Did we miss anything? Is there another heat issue affecting you that we should be focussing on, or an important topic to include in our upcoming federal election asks? Comment here or email Nat@SwelteringCities.org to let us know – we’d love to hear your thoughts!