Category: Liveable cities
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Sweltering Cities submission to the Victorian Government’s rental crisis inquiry
Over the last few weeks, we have been collecting stories from renters across Victoria about what it feels like to live in a hot home. We have compiled these stories into our submission to the Victorian Government’s inquiry into the rental and housing affordability crisis. These powerful stories paint a stark picture of the struggles…
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Building momentum: Third Heatwave Safe Rentals campaign meeting plans summer event
Last week, renters and supporters came together for the third Heatwave Safe Rentals campaign meeting, to plan an upcoming summer event and discuss how we can take advantage of the Victorian Government’s inquiry into the rental and housing crisis. The campaign gained momentum with the addition of new supporters joining the meeting, united by a…
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“It’s getting harder and harder”: Rafael’s story
Raphael has lived in Erskine Park in Sydney’s Western Suburbs for 22 years. He was a chemist and is now retired. He spoke to Sweltering Cities’ Community Campaigner about his experiences in Western Sydney.
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Second renters meeting sets campaign priorities for heatwave safe homes
Last night, activists and supporters from across Victoria came together to decide on specific asks and tactics to win the Heatwave Safe Rentals campaign. Everyone who attended the meeting brought different perspectives to the table. One supporter stressed the urgency of minor rental fixes as a practical and immediate goal, while another supporter emphasised the…
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Why we love shade
Shade plays an important role in minimising the Urban Heat Island Effect and reducing heat related diseases. Higher tree cover means lower temperatures on the ground on hot days, as well as sun protection for people as we walk We believe that shade needs to be a much higher priority when planning our new developments…
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Living in a rental home without cooling: Madeline’s story
No-one should have to live in a dangerously hot home, but this is the reality for Madeline Cooper, a renter living in Melbourne’s inner city. She lives with long Covid, which is challenging enough, but for Madeline, the extreme summer heat makes her symptoms worse. Her rental home is not designed to cope with scorching…
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In the hottest suburbs in Sydney 70% of bus stops have no shelter or shade
Hundreds of people have submitted information about their local bus stops through our form or shared their bus stop with us via email or social media. Of the 596 bus stops in our first sample, we found that 70% of stops had no shade, no shelter and no seat!
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Community meets in Penrith to talk Heatwaves, Health and Hot Homes
This summer, rising temperatures and cost of living have put pressure on people across Western Sydney. On March 9th Sweltering Cities hosted the Heatwaves, Health and Hot Homes community forum in Penrith at Thornton Community Centre. We brought community members together to hear from experts and share ideas for cooler, more equitable suburbs. 60 people…
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A Sweltering Summer Story: Alison’s Rental Experience in Melbourne
Alison has been a renter in Victoria for the past four years. From the beginning of her tenancy, she has wanted better cooling for her home. Despite the sweltering summer heat, Alison’s requests for simple, affordable upgrades such as planting trees in front of windows have gone unheeded or been rejected by her property manager.…
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The plan to win heatwave safe rental homes in Victoria
We’ve spoken to hundreds of Victorian renters across the state who are sick of living in dangerously hot homes. We all know that inadequate insulation, windows, blinds or cooling means that homes are baking on hot days. Hot overnight temperatures mean sleepless nights that put stress on our bodies and on our mental health. We shouldn’t…
