A People Led Prevention Project by Upper Shoalhaven Landcare Council focusing on increasing heatwave preparedness across NSW by exploring the needs of people, native biodiversity and farm animals in heatwave and hot weather conditions. 

The Issue

As part of Landcare NSW's People Led Prevention Project the Upper Shoalhaven Landcare Council was tasked with delivering on the topic of building community preparedness for heatwave events. 

Heatwaves are a form of natural disaster which typically fly under the radar and are less well-known across much of NSW. However, since 1900 heatwaves have caused more deaths than all other natural hazards combined. The young, elderly and infrastructure are vulnerable during these events and extreme heat can impact production, as well as cause heat stress and even mortality in livestock and native wildlife. 

Given Australia is projected to experience increases in heatwave frequency, intensity and duration in the coming decades, Upper Shoalhaven Landcare designed our ‘Being Heatwave Ready Webinar Series’ to provide resources to help guide rural communities to start preparing for future extreme heat events.

The Solution

With the help of Instant Andy video production house and Local Coordinator Erin Brinkley, Upper Shoalhaven Landcare produced a series of online webinar recordings exploring the needs of people, native biodiversity and farm animals in heatwave and hot weather conditions. 

The series captured presentations from four special guest speakers. Oshanna Alexander from South Australian State Emergency Service spoke about how people can prepare themselves, their homes and communities for heatwave events. 

Sarah Clarry from FarmLink Research showcased the My Climate View website - a tool for farmers and landholders to better understand current climate data and future projections. 

Eleanor Lang from Sustainable Farms talked to the benefits of shade, shelter and access to cool and safe water points for livestock and native wildlife, while Dr Lou Baskind, District Vet from Local Land Services, provided tips for minimizing the impact of extreme heat on farm animal health and welfare.

The Impact

Overall, the project successfully delivered a five-part webinar series aimed at building heatwave preparedness. Our presenters provided valuable advice, tools and resources for Landcarers and landholders to discover how they can better prepare themselves, their properties, animals and communities for future extreme heat events. 

As the state’s susceptibility to heatwaves is predicted to increase overtime, these webinar recordings will provide an ongoing educational asset.  The goal is to share the links as broadly as possible by uploading the recordings on Upper Shoalhaven Landcare's website and YouTube channel for future viewing. Upper Shoalhaven Landcare hope to feature them as part of a campaign to engage rural landholders and communities in the lead up to next summer.

Key Facts
Delivered 5 'Being Heatwave Ready' Webinars on the topics of:

• Animal health & Welfare
• Community Preparedness
• Climate Data & Projections
• Livestock & Farm Planning
• Taking Care of Wildlife

You can now watch the webinar series at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsq2oR0w-Y74J0ZhaSEPSPXTVCvbK-COJ