Hepburn Shire communities are better prepared to stay safe during extreme heat following a two-year collaboration between health, emergency management and community organisations across the Grampians region, led by Grampians Public Health Unit.
With the Bureau of Meteorology declaring an El Niño weather pattern and forecasts indicating an increased likelihood of hotter and drier conditions, Hepburn Shire Council is encouraging residents to plan ahead, and make use of the knowledge, networks and resources developed through the Heatwave HELP (Health Emergency Local People) project which finished 30 June 2026.
The project sparked a range of locally led initiatives that will continue to support community safety during future heat events including:
- engagement and HeatSAFE training with community groups across the Shire
- development of a new municipal Heat Health Plan
- extended opening hours at Council swimming pools during heatwaves
- creation of a map identifying cool spaces across the Shire
- co-design of the HeatSAFE Guide for neighbourhood houses
- community-led cool spaces established in Clunes and Trentham
- production of 250 cooling neckties for vulnerable residents across Hepburn Shire
- production of a further 100 cooling neckties distributed to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Mayor Cr Tony Clark said the project demonstrated the power of community-led action in building resilience to climate-related health risks.
“Extreme heat is one of the most significant health risks facing our community, particularly for older residents, people living alone, those with chronic health conditions and people experiencing social isolation,” he said.
“The Heatwave HELP project has increased community confidence and awareness around heat safety. We now have stronger partnerships, better local planning and more people who know how to recognise heat-related illness and support vulnerable neighbours during extreme weather.”
One of the project’s most visible successes was the establishment of community-led cool spaces, including the Clunes Cool Space, which has evolved from a simple heat refuge into a broader community resilience initiative.
The project’s legacy, captured in the recently released ‘Heat and Sparks’ film, will continue beyond the project period through the revised Hepburn Shire Heat Health Plan, strengthened community networks and the integration of heat-safe practices into everyday community activities and services.
For more information about heat safety and local resources, visit Heatwaves.
To find out more about the Heatwave HELP project and how it might be scaled in other regions, contact Professor Rosemary Aldrich on 1300 247 647 or visit the Grampians Health website.
This article is based on a media release from Hepburn Shire Council.
