On April 12th, we met in Coburg to for our sixth Community Cool Walk. It was a great success, thanks to the 13 enthusiastic community members who joined us and shared their thoughtful ideas and observations about heat and accessibility in the area.
Together, we visited different places around Coburg to see how heat affects how safe and comfortable residents feel, and to assess if they work well for everyone. One of the key observations from the group was that the way people move through the streets, and how quickly they do so, can really shape their experience of the heat. Walking 300 metres down an unshaded street might feel quick and manageable for some, but our understanding of heat impacts needs to consider the diverse needs and experiences of everyone using these spaces.
The group also reflected on the failure of the Victorian Government to upgrade the Sydney Road tram stops to be accessible, which significantly limits who can use public transport on a hot day. Upgrading the tram stops for accessibility should be a high priority for any government interested in inclusive climate resilience. You can find out more about the campaign for accessible tram stops on Sydney Road by clicking here.
The day we chose was warm for an autumn day, but was nowhere near the temperature of the hot summer days we had recently experienced. We reflected on how hot these local spots will be in the future as temperatures rise, and how important it is to not only build cooler, more accessible streets and suburbs, but to act to reduce carbon emissions to prevent even more catastrophic heat.
The Results
Assessing Heat and Comfort at Each Stop
At each stop, participants were asked to rate their comfort level on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being very uncomfortable and 5 being very comfortable). Their feedback pointed out the need for more shade in areas where there is currently little relief, and how difficult it is for different people in our community to get around during the heat, including older people, families, and people with disabilities.
Stop 1: Coburg Train Station
Coburg Train Station was the first stop of our walk. The average rating that participants gave the train station was 3, with many noting the benefits of the station’s natural shade and airflow, though it still felt too hot on very warm days. People said it would be better if there was shelter that provided shade on the platforms in the morning and afternoon, places to cool down, and signage to direct people to water stations. Here are some community comments:
“Light coloured paving would provide more coolness”
“Passive cooling (shade + airflow) is good, but on really hot days active cooling like misters or a cooled waiting place can really help“
“Create green infrastructure that cools as well as shades”
“Comfort would depend on whether you could find a shady spot”
Stop 2: Coburg Station Reserve
Participants saw this stop as a space with potential. While the trees in the area are still maturing, participants emphasised the need for more immediate solutions, such as adding shade cloths to the play equipment. Ratings ranged from 2 to 4, but people reflected that on a hotter day than we experienced, it could be uncomfortable for families and people using the sports equipment. Hot metal surfaces and other materials used in the play equipment were also flagged as concerns, with temperatures reaching a blistering 54°C on the swing set on the 27°C day of the walk.
“Eventually – in around 50-60 years – the trees will be big enough to give shade. Maybe consider a shade cloth cover over the play equipment”
“Not enough shade, especially over the play areas”
“Once the trees are bigger there’ll be good shade coverage, but active areas (& active people!) are exposed”
“Park has been planned for future shade with trees planted on the west side. Currently it feels too hot and exposed”
“When trees grow it will be nicer”
“Trees aren’t giving enough shade yet, swing set was 54°C on a 27 degree day”
“Metal in playground is already very hot by midday on a 26°C day”
Stop 3: Coburg Railway Station / Munro Street Bus Stop
This stop showed the uncomfortable reality of waiting for public transport in the heat. Ratings ranged from 1 to 3, with participants pointing out the lack of shade and nearby traffic as key issues. Suggestions for improvement included extending the footpath, adding a green roof bus shelter, and planting trees to create more shade.
Comments about this bus stop included:
“Lack of safety, smaller walkway, cars passing very close”
“Really exposed – added heat bouncing off building behind”
“Exposed, narrow, no place to sit or protection”
“Too hot. Buses are infrequent, affects older people”
“It would be very hot, especially with a hot northerly wind blowing. I hope I wouldn’t have to wait very long for the bus”
When asked how you would improve this bus stop, you said:
“Perhaps a tall building which would provide shade on the footpath during certain times of day, or a high fence”
“Shade and plants on top”
“Allow extension of the footpath into the roadspace, create green roof bus stop”
“Extend the footpath and plant trees either side of the bus stop”
Stop 4: Munro Street Park
Munro Street Park was still far from ideal with an average rating on 1.5. The main issue being the use of fake grass, which made the park very hot. On a 26°C day, the fake grass reached 45°C. There wasn’t much seating or shade, and the nearby car park added more heat and fumes. Some people suggested removing parking spaces to extend the park and planting more trees to cool the area.
“Perhaps replace the fake grass with decking in a pale colour”
“Get rid of the fake grass”
“Fake grass hotter than tarmac”
“Need to do better than this to call it a park”
“Fake grass makes it so hot, no shade, no trees, seats are hot”
“Hottest place we’ve visited so far”
“No fake grass!”
“Asphalt in carpark 40°C”
“Fake grass 45°C”
“Fake grass was 45 degrees on a 27 degree day”
Stop 5: Sydney Rd / Munro St / Harding St Intersection
The busy intersection had an average rating of 2. There was very little shade, and the paving absorbed a lot of heat — it reached 39°C during the walk. Many pointed out the stress of crossing the intersection in such harsh conditions, emphasising the need for better shade, green infrastructure, and improved walkability.
“Like so many intersections all around melbourne, you have to walk through the heat to quickly cross + get to where you’re going (or into the shade)”
“You don’t even think about it, usually you just from from point A to point B, but reflecting on it now, it is quite negative + puts stress on you physically and mentally”
“It feels hot. You tend to keep moving & not hang around”“Not a lot of shade. Darker paving so much hotter”
“Heat island effect at its highest!!”
Stop 6: Sydney Rd / Bell St Intersection
The Sydney Rd / Bell St intersection was another hot and exposed area with an average rating of 2. Hot tarmac, cars passing close to the sidewalk, and the absence of shade were key concerns. Some participants noted that the lack of accessibility—especially around the tram stop—made the area even more challenging for some community members.
“In full sun, so would get very hot – no way to escape – no shade or shelter.”
“Gets heat from cars & tarmac in middle of the road exposed to elements”
“Semi accessible (uneven surface, high floor trams)”
“Very hot, not a lot of shade, cars close to the sidewalk”
“They are in full sun and not accessible”
“Not an accessible tram stop. Busy sidewalk, not a lot of space to wait or pass by”
“Path is 38 degrees. Some pavement was 50 degrees”
Stop 7: Bell St Reserve
In contrast to the other stops, Bell St Reserve offered more positive feedback with a rating of 4.5. It was one of the few spots where mature trees and real grass provided good shade, making it much more pleasant. People appreciated how welcoming the space felt, but a few noted there weren’t enough places to sit. Adding more benches could help people rest and enjoy the park more. One person commented, “This park looks very welcoming and comfortable. I like the older trees here (in contrast to the tiny, thin saplings near the Coburg station).”
“Lovely mature age trees offering ample shade for a place of rest”
“Lots of trees and real grass”
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
The Coburg Cool Walk showed that many parts of the suburb are uncomfortable and sometimes unsafe during hot weather. Shade, water refill stations, and greener spaces were common suggestions from participants. In some areas, like Coburg Station and Munro Street Park, the basic infrastructure exists there but needs to be improved. In other places — like bus stops and intersections — big changes are needed to make the area more walkable and heat-safe.
This was our sixth Cool Walk, and we’ve found some clear commonalities across all events, such as support for cooler materials and shade in urban planning to reduce the ambient heat. However, each walk also reflects something unique about the local area. The Cool Walk in Coburg revealed that once we had left the recently re-developed area under the Upfield train line, the streets we were walking along (including Sydney Road) were not designed with cooling in mind and were difficult to navigate for people who use walkers or other assistance. It was a clear reminder that climate resilient design needs to serve everyone’s diverse needs, especially the people who might be more at risk or who could become isolated if navigating our streets and suburbs becomes dangerous in the heat.
The insights from the walk will help inform future advocacy efforts and drive change in the urban design of Coburg and other similar neighbourhoods. We’ll be sharing the results with Merri-Bek Council as they consider how to develop the Coburg shops area into the future. These results highlight the need for more trees, accessible public spaces, and smarter planning to help people cope with extreme heat in our cities.
“I was really amazed to see the results of the little temperature gauge – different surfaces reach such different temperatures. People need to pay attention to their poor dogs’ paws on such hot pavements!”
Thank you so much to everyone who came along to our Coburg Cool Walk!
