With temperatures set to boil, how is the Mid North Coast preparing for extreme heat waves?

With summer just around the corner, parts of the Mid North Coast have already experienced days in the high 30s. 

And for the past 75 years in Australia, every decade has been warmer than the one before. 

Experts and climate modelling shows the number of extreme heat days in Australia will increase – so how does the Mid North Coast prepare? 

🏥 How heat impacts health: The brutal truth: hot weather can directly cause severe illness requiring a visit to the hospital – and can result in death.

Heat can also exacerbate people’s underlying health conditions. including heart, kidney, respiratory disease, diabetes and mental illness. 

During extreme heat days, hospital emergency departments and other health care services can see a rise in the number of people needing help.

🌡️ Heated pressure on the health care system:  In 2024, the 88 emergency departments (ED) across the state saw 561 people seeking care for heat-related illnesses, including heat stroke, sunstroke, heat exhaustion and other directly health-related heat effects. 

🏡The local impact: In the Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD), there were 24 heat-related ED presentations in 2024 and 15 to date this year.

• “People experiencing signs of heat-related illness like headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, fatigue and cramps, should cool down right away, move out of the sun and seek shade or air conditioning, take a cool shower or bath if possible and take sips of water,” a MNCLHD spokesperson told the Mid North Coaster.

📈Temperatures continue to increase: The Bureau of Meteorology’s (BoM) annual climate statement for 2024 reported maximum temperatures were “very much above average” for most of Australia. In fact, 2024 was the second-warmest year for Australia since national temperature records began in 1910. 

The warmest year on record: The 2024–25 financial year, with the nationally-averaged mean temperature 1.68 °C above the 1961–1990 average.

Every decade since 1950 has been warmer than preceding decades, and Australia's 10 warmest years on record have all occurred since 2005.

⚠️ Hotter days puts the elderly at risk: When heat can exacerbate people’s underlying health conditions, the elderly are also at risk.

The Mid North Coaster reached out to aged care provider Whiddon, located in Wingham, to ask how it ensures residents are safe during heat waves. 

• “All of our homes and community care teams follow a comprehensive Heatwave Management Plan that guides how we prepare for, respond to, and support older people during hot weather,” a Whiddon spokesperson said.

“Our teams are trained to recognise early signs of heat stress, maintain cool and comfortable environments, and ensure residents and clients stay well-hydrated and supported throughout the day.”

In the lead-up to heatwave conditions, Whiddon staff now must activate a range of measures, including: 

• Checking and adjusting air conditioning, fans, blinds and curtains

• Increasing drink rounds including cool water, ice blocks and iced treats

• Working with catering teams to provide cooling and high-water-content foods

Staff also monitor residents closely for any signs of heat stress.

➡️ Regional and remote locations need future-proofing: Whiddon has 20 residential aged care homes across NSW and Southern QLD. With many of its services located in regional and remote areas, the provider said it has safeguards including backup power and an annual “staying healthy in the heat” audit.

🧊 Staying cool in the field: Across the Mid North Coast there are numerous jobs where staff work outdoors, or “in the field”. These staff are often required to deal with the elements – including hot days.

A NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) spokesperson told the Mid North Coaster visitor and staff safety is “top priority”.

During extreme heat circumstances, NPWS may even close National Parks where necessary.

• “NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) manages staff safety during extreme heat by implementing heat stress management plans, including adjusting work schedules, providing appropriate clothing and shaded rest areas, and ensuring access to cool drinking water,” the spokesperson said.
  

• “NPWS monitors Bureau of Meteorology forecasts and activates heat alerts when conditions exceed safe thresholds, with protocols for rest breaks and emergency response.” 

With a hot outlook ahead, NPWS is planning for more frequent and intense heatwaves as part of its climate adaptation strategy, including revising operational procedures and incorporating long-term measures to protect staff, visitors, and park ecosystems.

🚒 Fire risk: Along with NSW Fire and Rescue and Rural Fires Service, NPWS and Forestry Corporation are part of the firefighting force across the state.

And when temperatures rise, so does the risk of bushfires.

A Forestry Corporation spokesperson told the Mid North Coaster it implements a comprehensive Safety Management System to ensure staff remain safe when working in the field. 

• “Weather conditions are closely monitored in our firerooms and harvesting operations are paused due to fire risk, if required,” the spokesperson said.

  
  “Visitors to state forests should take precautions and be adequately prepared over summer. This includes having adequate water supplies, personal protective equipment and carrying EPIRBs and Personal Locator Beacons, as essential safety devices for hikers and bushwalkers.”

👀 Looking forward: Released on Thursday, BoM’s long-range forecast for December until February is predicting above average temperatures across most of Australia – for daytime and overnight.

Australia’s National Climate Risk Assessment shows in detail how climate change is impacting our communities, economy, infrastructure, environment, health and way of life. 

The assessment also shows the difference between 2°C and 3°C of global warming and it is significant.

As for heat, currently there are about four severe/extreme heat days per year nationally.

• The report found this is going to increase by 14 days per year under a 3°C warming scenario.

ℹ️ The advice: During heat waves, MNCLHD advises the public to limit outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day, drink plenty of water and carry a water bottle if you are outside, stay cool using fans, air-conditioning, taking a cool shower or by going to a cool place. 

If you are indoors, close doors, windows, blinds and curtains early to keep hot air and sun out. 

• “People who don’t respond to these steps or who show symptoms suggesting a more severe illness, including a sudden rise in body temperature, who are no longer sweating, showing aggressive or strange behaviour or who are fitting, should seek urgent medical attention or call Triple Zero (000),” the MNCLHD spokesperson said.

For free, non-urgent health advice, people can call healthdirect on 1800 022 222. 

• Further information, advice and tips can be found on the NSW Health website.

• Check heat wave warnings at: https://www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au/in-the-community/warnings

Thumbnail: Woolgoolga