For National Heat Awareness Day, NQCC spent the morning at the markets talking with the community about something we all know well in North Queensland: heat. A big thank you to our wonderful volunteers who came along and had thoughtful conversations with people about how heat shapes daily life in Townsville.

So many people told us how much they love the sunshine, the warmth, and Townsville’s beautiful natural places - parks, playgrounds and time spent outdoors. We love those things too. Heat is part of who we are here.

But we also heard from parents that summer can make outdoor time harder: finding a shaded playground, or a comfortable, shaded way to walk to green spaces can be a real challenge.

These everyday experiences matter. They show us where our neighbourhoods support outdoor life - and where they don’t.

“It’s Always Been Hot Here”

We hear this a lot — and it’s true.

Queenslanders have always known how to live with heat. Houses on stilts. Louvres. Sleep-outs. Light clothing. Shade. Catching breezes.

So here’s the real question:
if we know heat so well, why aren’t our streets and neighbourhoods designed for it?

Too often, people are expected to “stay inside” or “toughen up” - even when that’s not possible.

Heat Is a Serious Risk

Extreme heat already claims more lives than any other natural hazard in Queensland, according to the State of the Environment Report 2024. Yet heat is still not recognised as a natural hazard in our planning system.

That means we’re not consistently designing communities to protect those most at risk — kids, older people, outdoor workers, and anyone who can’t easily avoid the heat.

What Needs to Change

NQCC is supporting a parliamentary petition calling on the Queensland Government to modernise the State Planning Policy so heat risk is considered alongside floods, bushfires and cyclones.

Recognising heat as a natural hazard would help create safer streets, cooler neighbourhoods, and healthier communities - prioritising shade, green spaces and tree canopy where they’re needed most.

Of course this would also provide more habitat for wildlife who are having less and less spaces to thrive in urban environments. 

Sign the petition and help make North Queensland cooler and safer for everyone.