Libraries across the City of Parramatta will open to the community for extended hours during heatwave conditions as part of a new initiative to help residents beat the heat this summer.
The city’s Beat the Heat initiative aims to raise awareness about the dangers of extreme heat and offer the community ideas on how to stay cool when the mercury soars.
Parramatta typically experiences at least 15 days a year above 35 degrees Celsius.
City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Pierre Esber said Council wanted to ensure every member of the community was better prepared for peak temperatures in the summer ahead.
“When temperatures heat up, we want every member of our community to know there’s places they can go to cool down,” Esber said.
“That’s why we’re reaching out with resources in English, Arabic, Chinese, Hindi and Korean.
“Now’s the time to reach out to those who you know might struggle with the heat and make sure they are prepared before more heat hits.”
From today until March 31, Council will designate all its libraries ‘cool places’ in a declared heat wave, with Ermington, Dundas and Constitution Hill branches to be open for extended hours with additional activities to provide community members with access to an air-conditioned space and water.
Community members can also pick up a free ‘Beat the Heat’ kit with more information, thermometer, cooling towel, instant ice pack and a paper fan from all Council libraries.
To find out more about urban heat, visit http://www.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/summer-heat
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.