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Heatwaves

Heatwaves are three or more days of higher maximum and minimum temperatures that are unusual for a location.

During the warmer months of the year, Wagga Wagga can experience heatwaves. To help minimise the health impacts of extreme heat, Council has information to assist the community to stay safe and healthy.

What is a heatwave?

The Bureau of Meteorology (2019) defines heatwave as “three or more days of high maximum and minimum temperatures that are unusual for that location”.

This means heatwaves occur when three or more days of unusually high temperatures impact an area. Under a changing climate, heatwaves will become longer, more frequent and more severe.

There are three types of heatwaves:

  • Low intensity heatwaves
  • Severe heatwaves
  • Extreme heatwaves.

For more information on heatwaves, visit the Bureau of Meterology website. Sunsmart also offers a free UV Widget which provides information on forecast maximum UV and sun protection times and well as daily forecasts for Wagga Wagga.

Heatwave Response Plan Checklist

This checklist has been developed for residents of Wagga Wagga to prepare for hot weather and heatwave conditions.

Ways to keep your home cool

  • Seal gaps around windows and doors
  • Choose pale coloured, heat reflective curtains in rooms with lots of sunlight
  • Install awnings or external window coverings
  • Service air conditioning systems regularly
  • Check that fans work well
  • Check that fridges and freezers work well
  • Check on fridge and freezer seals
  • Plant shade trees in your garden

Pre-alert preparations in your home

  • Keep updated on the weather forecast
  • Have a list of emergency numbers readily available. This may include family, friends, neighbours and doctors
  • Know where your emergency kit is in case of a power failure
  • Know what to do in case of an emergency such as a bushfire. Information on bushfire preparedness is available from the NSW Rural Fire Service
  • Ensure you have a sufficient supply of medicine
  • Place cool packs/bags in your freezer
  • Keep bottles of water in your fridge
  • Stock up on food items
  • Consider purchasing drinks with electrolytes
  • Cancel scheduled outdoor recreation or sporting activities where possible
  • When exercise cannot be avoided, Sport Medicine Australia provides advice on how to exercise safely in hot weather

Note: If you are encouraged to fluid restrict for medical reasons, please consult your doctor for advice.

To stay safe, keep out of heat and keep cool

  • Keep curtains closed
  • Drink plenty of water, supplement with electrolyte drinks if needed
  • Avoid strenuous activity
  • Wear light clothing
  • Take a cold shower or bath at regular intervals
  • Use damp cloths or towels to cool your skin
  • Keep to the coolest rooms in your home
  • If your home is not cool, visit a community cool space
  • Keep an eye on children as they don't regulate their temperature as well as adults. Encourage children to stay out of the heat, seek cool spaces, hydrate and undertake cool activities
  • Check on your neighbours
  • Ensure pets have plenty of water and have access to a cool space

If you must go out:

  • Avoid the hottest part of the day
  • Wear a wide brimmed hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, loose fitting, sun safe clothing and take a bottle of water
  • Park your car in the shade or undercover car parks
  • Do not leave children or animals in a parked vehicle - temperatures in cars can reach dangerous levels

Note: If you are encouraged to fluid restrict for medical reasons, please consult your doctor for advice.

Monitor symptoms and keep updated on the weather forecast

If you have a health problem

  • Follow your doctor’s advice
  • Store medicines as per the instructions on the label
  • Seek medical advice if you are suffering from a chronic medical condition or taking medication

If you or others feel unwell

  • Keep alert for symptoms of heat related illnesses
  • Seek medical attention from
    • Your doctor
    • Healthdirect for telephone advice
    • 000 for emergency assistance
  • Check on vulnerable family and friends at set times at least twice a day
  • Drink fluids to rehydrate. If you’re required to fluid restrict, please consult your doctor for advice

Mild and Moderate Heat Illnesses

Medical condition Signs and SymptomsManagement

Dehydration

  • Profuse sweating
  • Increase in body temperature
  • Lethargy and tiredness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Being thirsty
  • Irritability
  • Cease activity and go to a cool shaded place
  • Drink plenty of fluids (avoid caffeine and alcohol)
  • Turn on fan or air-conditioner
  • Spray water on face and body
  • If remaining unwell, seek medical advice as soon as possible
  • Cease activity and go to a cool shaded place
  • Drink plenty of fluids (avoid caffeine and alcohol)
  • Turn on fan or air-conditioner
  • Spray water on face and body
  • If remaining unwell, seek medical advice as soon as possible

Heat Rash

  • Small red itchy bumps appear on the face, neck, upper chest, under breast, groin and scrotum areas
  • This can affect any age but is prevalent in young children
  • It is attributed to heavy sweating during hot and humid weather
  • Rash subsides with no specific treatment
  • Minimise sweating by staying in an air-conditioned environment, taking frequent showers and wearing light clothes. Keep the affected areas dry
  • Rash subsides with no specific treatment
  • Minimise sweating by staying in an air-conditioned environment, taking frequent showers and wearing light clothes. Keep the affected areas dry

Heat cramps

  • Painful muscular spasms occur; most often in the legs, arms or abdomen, usually at the end of sustained exercise
  • Immediate rest in a cool place
  • Stretch muscles and massage gently
  • Increase fluid intake using a solution containing electrolytes
  • Medical attention should be sought if heat cramps occur for more than 60 minutes

Heat syncope

  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Cease activity and go to a cool shaded place
  • Drink plenty of fluids (avoid caffeine and alcohol)
  • Turn on fan or air-conditioner
  • Spray water on face and body
  • Lie the patient down in a cool place and raise legs and hips

Heat exhaustion

  • Pale complexion
  • Intense thirst
  • Rapid heat rate
  • Muscle cramps, weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Fainting
  • Seek medical advice
  • Move to a cool shaded room or air-conditioned place. The patient should be undressed
  • Apply cold wet sheet or cold-water spray and use fan if available
  • Lie the patient down and raise legs.
  • Increase fluid intake
  • Seek medical advice
  • Move to a cool shaded room or air-conditioned place. The patient should be undressed
  • Apply cold wet sheet or cold-water spray and use fan if available
  • Lie the patient down and raise legs
  • Increase fluid intake

Heat stroke (a life-threatening emergency)

  • Same symptoms as heat exhaustion
  • Dry skin with sweating
  • Mental condition worsens, confusion
  • Seizure
  • Stroke-like symptoms or collapsing
  • Unconsciousness
  • Call an ambulance
  • Get the person to a cool area and lay them down.
  • Remove their clothing
  • Wet their skin with water, fanning continuously
  • Position an unconscious person on their side and clear their airway
  • Call an ambulance
  • Get the person to a cool area and lay them down
  • Remove their clothing
  • Wet their skin with water, fanning continuously
  • Position an unconscious person on their side and clear their airway

Available Community Resources

Facility NameLocation Contact Details for Opening Hours
Oasis 50 Morgan Street, Wagga Wagga https://oasiswagga.com/
(02) 6926 9390
Wagga Wagga City Library Civic Centre Corner of Baylis and Morrow Streets, Wagga Wagga https://waggalibrary.com.au/
(02) 6926 9700
Wagga Wagga Art Gallery including National Art Glass Gallery Civic Centre Corner of Baylis and Morrow Streets, Wagga Wagga https://waggaartgallery.com.au
(02) 6926 9660
Museum of the Riverina located at the Historic Council Chambers Civic Centre Corner of Baylis and Morrow Streets, Wagga Wagga https://museumriverina.com.au/
(02) 6926 9655
Sturt Mall 135 Baylis Street, Wagga Wagga https://www.sturtmall.com.au/
(02) 6921 4594
Wagga Wagga Marketplace Shopping Centre 87 Baylis Street, Wagga Wagga https://waggamarketplace.com/
(02) 6931 7277 
Ngurra Hub (Community Centre) 15 Blakemore Avenue, Ashmont 0421 924 425
Ngurra Hub Ashmont | Wagga Wagga NSW | Facebook
Mission Australia Unit 2/36-40 Gurwood Street, Wagga Wagga https://www.missionaustralia.com.au
(02) 6932 7500
Tolland Hub (Community Centre) 41 Bruce Street, Tolland (02) 6931 5970  Tolland Community Hub - Argyle Housing
Kooringal Hub (Community Centre) Wilga Street, Kooringal https://www.playgroupnsw.org.au/
0490 002 989
Ashmont Community Resource Centre 42 Tobruk St, Ashmont https://www.anglicare.com.au
(02) 6931 3456

Shaded

  • Peter Street: Numbers: 75-79, 93-97, 105-111
  • Sturt Mall: entrances on Tompson and Berry Streets
  • 33 Bardo Lane

Undercover

  • Wagga Wagga Marketplace Shopping Centre (underground): entrances on Morgan and Berry Streets, Wagga Wagga
  • 1-9 Berry Street (undercover)
  • Kooringal Woolworths 269 Lake Albert Road (undercover)

If you are out and about on a hot day always carry a bottle of water that you can refill, there are Tap2Go water stations located around the city.

All stations are available 24/7

  • Ashmont Skate Park
  • Baylis Street (corner Morgan Street – near Westpac)
  • Baylis Street (front of Wagga Wagga Marketplace)
  • Baylis Street (corner of Tompson Street)
  • Botanic Gardens
  • Collins Park
  • Duke of Kent Park
  • Henwood Park, Kooringal
  • Lake Albert Walking Track:
    • Lakeside Drive (north)
    • Lakeside Drive (west)
    • Eastlake Drive
    • Near Apex Park
    • Playground near the Boat Club
  • Jubilee Park (Connolly Park)
  • Jubilee Park (Athletics Track)
  • Kaloona Drive (Playground), Bourkelands
  • Livvi’s Place inclusive playground (Bolton Park)
  • Public Park, Dupree Boulevard Lloyd
  • Visitor Information Centre, Tarcutta Street
  • Public Park, Flinders Street Turvey Park

The following playgrounds may offer shade in general warm weather.

Shade Sails

  • Apex Park Junior: Eastlakes Drive, Lake Albert
  • Bedevale Street playground, Bourkelands
  • Belling Park, Bolton Street, Wagga Wagga
  • Bosley Memorial: Nelson Drive, Lake Albert
  • Botanic Gardens enclosed junior playground near the BBQ’s: MacLeay Street, Turvey Park
  • Collingullie Park: Collingullie
  • Cox Park, Kincaid Street
  • Currawarna Park: Old Narrandera Road, Currawarna
  • Glenfield Park: Tanda Place, Glenfield Park
  • Gobbagombalin Park: Paradise Drive, Gobbagombalin
  • Henwood Park: Lake Albert Road, Kooringal
  • Hopwood Park: Sunshine Avenue, Turvey Park
  • Jack Ave playground, Mount Austin
  • Lingiari Street playground, Lloyd
  • Livvi’s Place – Bolton Park: Morgan Street, Wagga Wagga
  • Oasis Aquatic Centre: Morgan Street, Wagga Wagga
  • Oura Recreation: Oura Road, Oura
  • Paddy Osbourne Park: Sydney Street, Tarcutta
  • Pomingalarna Cycling Complex Playground
  • Riverside playground, Riverside precinct (Wagga Beach)
  • Uranquinty Neighbourhood: Connorton Street, Uranquinty
  • Webb Park playground, Ashmont
  • Victory Memorial Gardens playground

Trees

* playgrounds that are completely covered, or the vast majority is covered by trees.

  • Botanic Gardens – Kidsville: MacLeay Street, Turvey Park
  • Collins Park: Forsyth Street, Wagga Wagga
  • Horsley Street Park: Horsley Street, Kooringal
  • Lake Village: Ontario Drive, Lake Albert
  • Menneke Park: Pugsley Drive, Estella
  • Tamar Drive Park: Tamar Drive, Tatton
  • Bourkelands junior playground: Kaloona Drive, Bourkelands
Other Council Websites
Visit Wagga Wagga Airport
Oasis Aquatic Centre Wagga Library
Wagga Art Gallery Museum of the Riverina
Civic Theatre Have Your Say Wagga