Background
It’s hard to believe that a “hot day” in Proserpine will be almost 1.5 degrees hotter by 2050 & around 3 degrees hotter by 2090. Pair this with increased frequency & duration of heat waves, it’s no wonder that heat is one of the priority hazards to manage in regional towns to ensure future liveability. This study called upon our experts to predict future climate, using Proserpine as an example of a typical QLD town.
Proserpine has started to see;
- Hotter days with temperatures reaching over 42 degrees for the first time in 1995
- Heat waves in runs of four or more days over 38 degrees
What?
There are so many different ways to mitigate the effect of rising temperatures in our community, such as planting more trees, changing the colour of hard surfaces, and installing water features or green walls. The challenge is understanding how much action to take, what action is most beneficial and where it needs to be done.
How?
By modelling predicted temperature increases with climate change, using Proserpine as an example of a typical regional town we have improved our understanding of priority areas to manage heat and tested heat mitigation methods to understand which methods are the most financially viable and beneficial for our Community. This will help to assess the actions that need to be taken to manage temperature increases and ensure future liveability of our towns.
Who?
The Whitsunday Climate Innovation Hub worked with Mosaic Insights and NCEconomics to complete the original heat reduction feasibility study for Proserpine. These results are now being used to plan heat mitigation throughout the region.
Aims
This project aims to:
- Identify the most cost-effective ways to reduce heat stress in regional towns
- Provide updates for Councils policy so that all towns are protected from impacts of rising temperature
Get Involved
For more information on Climate change in the Whitsundays, visit Coast Adapt's website. For the 30 year Regional Weather and Climate Guide visit BOM's website.
If you would like to find out more information about the project, contact the Whitsunday Climate Change Innovation Hub on 1300 WRC QLD (952 753) or email us on ClimateHub@whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au.
