Heat risk is rising across Australia as the climate continues to warm, and the Brighton municipality is no exception. Hotter summers and more frequent heatwaves are becoming a serious concern, particularly for people who are more vulnerable to extreme temperatures, such as older residents, young children and those with health and mental health conditions.

In urban areas, hot days can feel even hotter because hard surfaces, like roads, roofs and pavements soak up heat, making these neighbourhoods much warmer than nearby areas with more natural vegetation.

To gain a clearer picture of how heat is impacting different suburbs, Brighton Council partnered with consultants Geoneon to map heat risk across the municipality. By analysing factors such as land surface temperatures, levels of surrounding vegetation and community vulnerability, Geoneon was able to pinpoint the suburbs most at risk from heat.

Their analysis found that several suburbs, especially those with dense housing and limited tree cover (including Brighton and Bridgewater) are at particularly high risk. These areas heat up faster, stay hotter for longer and have fewer natural features to help cool them down.

The encouraging news is that planting trees and increasing greenery can help reduce this heat build-up, and the Geoneon mapping results will guide Council in identifying priority areas for new planting. At the same time, everyone can contribute to reducing heat risk by adding vegetation and reducing hard surfaces around the home.

By investing in greener neighbourhoods now, Brighton can be a cooler, healthier place for all.