← National Community Heat Summit
Your Heat Stories
Every summer
has a story.
Help us hear it.
This summer, people across Australia are sitting down with friends, neighbours, colleagues and communities to talk about extreme heat. What you hear will shape the agenda for the National Community Heat Summit in February 2027.
Why listen?
The real story of heat is in our communities.
Sweltering Cities is hosting the first National Community Heat Summit in February 2027. Ahead of the Summit, you’re invited to join the hundreds of people and organisations across the country having thousands of conversations about how people feel the heat and the solutions they need. We have guides to help you have conversations about extreme heat to ensure your community is represented in the solutions we identify together.
Real stories, not jargon
We want to understand how heat is really affecting people across the country, in their own words, not technical language or science.
Listen to understand
This isn’t about convincing anyone. Stay curious – there are no wrong answers here.
Heat is a collective issue
Individual struggles, like health problems or high energy bills, come from the systems we live in. We can change them together.
How to take part
Three steps to share your community’s heat stories.
We’re asking two simple things: how is heat affecting you and your community, and what would help keep everyone safe and cool?
Step 1
Get the guide
Our listening guide has everything you need: where and when to have a heat conversation, the questions to ask, and tips for tricky conversations.
Step 2
Have a heat conversation
Talk with a friend, neighbour, colleague or group, in person or online. You don’t need to wait for a hot day. The worksheet is handy for notes.
Step 3
Share what you heard
Tell us how many people you spoke to, the key themes and any vivid quotes. Submit as many times as you like.
Last summer, we asked. 2,633 people answered.
766
postcodes across Australia took part
68%
feel unwell on hot days or during heatwaves
61%
say concerns about cost stop them turning on air conditioning
43%
say heat affects them at work or school
Sweltering Cities Summer Survey 2026. Read the full report
What we heard last summer
This is what we mean by heat stories.
In the 2026 Summer Survey, thousands of people told us what extreme heat is really like, and what would make a difference. These are the kinds of stories we want to hear more of this summer.
IMPACTS How heat is affecting people
Health
“I have asthma, and with the high humidity lately it’s been hard to breathe.”
Summer Survey 2026 respondent
Homes and renting
“I’m currently a renter and my house has central air conditioning that doesn’t work.”
Summer Survey 2026 respondent
Cost of living
“Despite annual $200 electricity bonus, it doesn’t go far enough to enable air conditioner to be on whenever it is essential.”
Summer Survey 2026 respondent, Penrith
SOLUTIONS What people say would help
Rental standards
“Renting laws that require cooling devices in both lounge and main bedroom, especially for disabled renters.”
Summer Survey 2026 respondent
Cool spaces
“24/7 open government community centre with appropriate cooling open to all during heatwaves.”
Summer Survey 2026 respondent
Safer work
“Outdoor workers’ shifts should be changed to occur in cooler parts of the day.”
Summer Survey 2026 respondent
86% of survey respondents support heat safety standards for rental homes.
Ready to start listening?
Every conversation helps build a national picture of heat that will shape the Summit agenda and our push for real change.
Need help, or want materials for an event or stall? Email summit@swelteringcities.org.
