With residents sweating through one of the hottest Januarys on record, Cumberland Council has joined forces with researchers at Western Sydney University and installed 100 heat sensors across the Cumberland LGA.
The sensors are currently collecting air temperature information at 10 minute intervals throughout summer, and will allow Council to build the most accurate and detailed heat map of Cumberland ever created.
The information will be used to update and develop a range of new initiatives aimed at reducing urban heat and better ensure the comfort and safety of residents.
Mayor Greg Cummings welcomed the strategic partnership with Western Sydney University, saying Cumberland would be one of the first councils in Australia to have a detailed map of its outdoor air temperatures.
“When it comes to tackling urban heat, the details matter,” Mayor Greg Cummings said.
“It’s not enough to rely on heat mapping from a satellite or weather stations outside of our LGA. These record surface temperatures like roofs, which may have little bearing as to what it actually feels like down on the street.
“To know how hot it feels to residents, we need to record the air temperatures across the whole LGA. This is what the heat sensors are doing now.
“The information will be invaluable for Council. It will help us create policies that keep residents cool and safe; inform future developments and planning controls; and understand the impact of heat on people’s movements and use of public spaces.”
Urban heat is a major priority for all Western Sydney councils, with Cumberland Council participating in WSROC’s Turn Down the Heat Strategy 2018.
Dr Sebastian Pfautsch, Research Theme Fellow – Environment and Sustainability at Western Sydney University, said the strength of the project was in the level of detail.
“We know that urban heat is especially striking in Western Sydney, with an increasing number of hot and very hot days,” Dr. Sebastian said.
“However, no air temperature data is available for the Cumberland LGA as the nearest weather stations are in North Parramatta and Olympic Park.
“The heat sensor project will allows us to gauge detailed information into the micro climates of Cumberland.”
