Over the past few years we have experienced devastating bushfires and floods, dangerous air quality and heatwaves, and an evolving disease pandemic. As our data grows and science progresses, we are now more clearly seeing their impacts on our health and wellbeing.
The changing climate is increasing the frequency and intensity of these events, and the Western Parkland City is at increasing risk relative to other areas of Sydney.
The Western Sydney Health Alliance has been funded by the NSW Government to develop a resource designed to provide local governments within the Western Parkland City practical recommendations on taking immediate action to increase community resilience to the health impacts of a changing climate.
The resource will also be relevant reading for local health service partners who will lead prevention and treatment strategies that mitigate risks arising from an increase in urban heat, floods, bushfires and air pollution.
We all want to create a healthy and resilient future. The guideline, will assist by providing tools and strategies, underpinned by a health lens, to enhance and drive positive change.
Background and methodology to the development of the resource:
The grant from the NSW Government enabled two pieces of background research to be conducted to inform the development of a guidance document.
The first research piece, Increasing Resilience to Climate Change (IRCC) Project: Review of Local Council Strategies for Climate, Health and Wellbeing in the Western Sydney Region, conducted by Western Sydney University (WSU) and the University of New South Wales, identified the Western Parkland City Council strategic enablers in relation to building resilience for climate change and health.
The second co-design piece was facilitated by the Climate and Health Alliance as an interactive workshop with Councils and Health delegates from the Western Parkland City.
The aim of this piece of work was to increase understanding of the health impacts of the changing climate on the Western Parkland City population and identify the scope of what was required in a guidance document for Councils. This research is in 3 parts and is available here.
The development of the guidance document is based on these two pieces of research and is available here
For further information please contact: info@wshealthalliance.nsw.gov.au
