Beat the Heat at Council’s Cool Places

Temperatures are soaring, and the City of Parramatta is throwing its doors open to help residents cool off as part of its Beat the Heat campaign.

The initiative, which is running from now until Monday 24 March 2025, provides residents with hot tips and resources to raise awareness of the dangers of extreme heat and access to local ‘cool places’ – free, safe, air-conditioned spaces to escape the heat.

When a heatwave is declared by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), free ‘Beat the Heat kits’ including a thermometer, cooling towel, instant ice pack, hand-operated paper fan and information flyers will be available at designated libraries, PHIVE and Wentworth Point Community Centre, which will become ‘cool places’ with extended opening hours.

City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Martin Zaiter said Parramatta typically experiences severe heat conditions annually.

“As temperatures rise during the warmer months of the year, we want to make sure our residents have access to places to cool down,” Cr Zaiter said.

“Our Beat the Heat campaign includes our local ‘cool places’ to find refuge in, such as our libraries and local shopping centres, or swimming and splash spots like Lake Parramatta, Parramatta Aquatic Centre and Council’s water play parks.

“This initiative isn’t just about getting through the summer in the short-term; it’s about helping our community build resilience against extreme heat for the future.”

Tips to beat the heat:

• Head to ‘cool places’ early
• Cool the body, drink water, use cooling and wet the skin
• Plan ahead for hot days so that you have enough water and shade
• Avoid unnecessary travel during the hottest parts of the day between 11am and 5pm
• Wear light clothing
• Look out for others and check in on the elderly and disabled
• Dundas, Ermington and Constitution Hill libraries will become ‘cool places’ with extended opening hours during a heatwave event, based on the identified high density of community housing at these locations.

For more information and to find your nearest Cool Place, visit the City’s Beat the Heat campaign website.