Planning for an Emergency

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issues heatwave warnings when 10% or more of a weather district in is in a severe or extreme heatwave.

Its heatwave service also forecasts heatwaves likely in the forthcoming 7 days. Subscribe here to receive the BOM’s heatwave warnings. This service operates between October and March. Learn more about heatwaves here.

The Victorian Department of Health issues heat health warnings when the Bureau of Meteorology issues severe and extreme heatwave warnings.

A heat health warning notifies the community, local governments, hospitals, health and community services of the risk and likely impact on people's health.

The Chief Health Officer may also issue a heat health warning when forecast temperatures pose a health risk, for example, on a single day of extremely high temperatures. Find out more about heat health warnings here.

Subscribe to receive heat health warnings here.

Download The University of Sydney's HeatWatch app to personalise and learn more about how at risk you are during hot weather.  

What is a Cool Space?

A Cool Space is a place people can go (on a single day) to get respite during extreme heat. They are usually air conditioned. They are intended to reduce the risks of extreme heat to people, especially those without air-conditioning.

A Cool Space is not a Place of Last Resort or an Emergency Relief Centre. A few hours in a Cool Space during extremely hot weather can lower the core body temperature. 

Who are Cool Spaces for?

Everybody, because heat can affect anybody, but some groups are at higher risk and more vulnerable to heat health harm. These are:

• People who have no air conditioning or poor air conditioning
• People aged 65+
• People who live alone or are socially isolated
• Babies & small children
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• People with acute or chronic health problems or on certain medications
• People with a physical or cognitive disability
• People who live in hot homes or in Urban Heat Island regions

Cool Spaces in Central Goldfields Shire

Inside Cool Spaces are available at the following sites.

• Millhouse Neighbourhood House, 88-90 Burke St, Maryborough. Open 9am-4pm. Tuesday-Friday. Ph:5461 3185. e: manager @millhouse.org.au 
• Salvation Army, 27 Wills St, Maryborough. Open 9.30am-12.30pm Monday, Wednesday & Friday. Ph: 5459 0500. e: corpsofficer.maryborough@salvationarmy.org.au
• Paramount Cinema, 56 Nolan St, Maryborough. Open 1pm-9pm, Thursday-Monday. Ph: 5461 1988. facebook.com/Maryborough Theatre 

These Cool, Spaces are mostly run by volunteers. Please call before arriving there. Opening days and times will vary with the weather and availability of volunteers to open them. Opening times may be extended if needed and if volunteers are available. Please call before going there if there is a power outage in your area. The venues may or may not have power back-up to run air-conditioners.

Remember these spaces are opened by volunteers who want to reduce your heat health risks so please take your manners when you visit.

Cool Spaces are not Emergency Relief Centres or Places of Last Resort. They are somewhere for people to be and stay cool on hot days.

Outdoor Cool Spaces 

It can be up to 10 degrees cooler under some trees. Outdoor places where shade (trees and/or shelter such as canopies), seating and drinking water are available include:

• Princes Park & Lake Victoria – Maryborough
• Station Domain Playground – Maryborough
• Phillips Gardens – Maryborough
• Gordon Gardens - Barkly St, Dunolly – seating, water & shade
• Dunolly Outdoor Swimming Pool, 1 Market St, Dunolly
• Pioneer Park, Talbot - water, shade, seating
• Talbot Swimming Pool, Scandinavian Crescent, Talbot
• Orm Snowden Reserve, Bealiba – water, shade seating

How to spot a Cool Space

Look out for this logo designed by specifically to brand Cool Spaces in Central Goldfields Shire.

Heat can cause serious and potentially fatal health problems such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke. It can trigger sudden events like heart attack or stroke or can worsen existing medical conditions like kidney or lung disease.

Tips for preparing for and surviving the heat

• Keep up to date with weather forecasts – watch the news daily, check the BOM Forecast online and read the current Heat Health Alert.
• Cancel non-essential outings and plan essential activities for the coolest part of the day.
• Stock up on food, water and medicines so you don’t have to go out in the heat.
• Visit your doctor to check if changes are needed to your medicines during extreme heat. 
• Store medicines safely at the recommended temperature. 
• Check that your fan or air-conditioner works well. Have your air-conditioner serviced if necessary. 
• Prepare for power failures - ensure you have a torch, battery-operated radio, fully charged mobile phone or battery back-up, food items that don’t require refrigeration, medications, plenty of drinking water and other essential items. 
• Check the things you can do to make your home cooler such as installing window coverings, shade cloths or external blinds on the sides of the house facing the sun.

Check in on others

• Look after those most at risk in the heat–your neighbour living alone, older people, young children, people with a medical condition and don’t forget your pets.
• Keep in touch with friends and family who may need help. Call or visit them at least once on any extreme heat day. 
• Encourage them to drink plenty of water. 
• Offer to help family, friends and neighbours who are aged over 65 or have an illness by doing shopping or other errands so they can avoid the heat.
• Take them somewhere cool for the day or have them stay the night if they are unable to stay cool in their home. 
• If you observe symptoms of heat-related illness, seek medical help.