WA stalls on heatwave health plans ahead of scorching summer

Western Australia is facing another scorching summer, with hotter-than-usual temperatures forecast as the government stalls on promised heat plans for vulnerable communities.

In 2023, the government committed to a Climate Adaptation Strategy to ensure the state and vulnerable communities were prepared for the impacts of climate change, including heatwaves, with specific tasks set for departments to undertake.

But several of those tasks remain “in progress”, including the Department of Health’s adaptation plan for health and human services – which was supposed to be completed in 2024.

A commitment to support Aboriginal-led climate action and engage with Aboriginal leaders and regional communities by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation is also listed as “in progress”, with a 2025 due date.

The delays come despite the government’s own warning that extreme heat could put growing pressure on WA’s already stretched hospitals in the future.

A 2024 study commissioned by WA Health found heat-related deaths in Perth could rise by about 60 per cent by the 2050s, while hospital admissions linked to heat could increase by almost 34 per cent.

And Perth is bracing for a hot summer, with the Bureau of Meteorology’s latest forecast showing the city has more than an 80 per cent chance of recording higher-than-usual daytime temperatures between December and February.

WA Greens MP Brad Pettitt said the outlook was concerning, particularly for First Nations residents in WA’s north-west, the elderly, low-income households, and people living in homes without air conditioning.

“There’s no point just writing a high-level plan, acknowledging how big these impacts will be, and then not acting on it,” he said.

“There’s inadequate funding and inadequate urgency around implementing this.”

In questions to parliament, Pettitt asked the Department of Health how WA hospitals were preparing for a possible record-breaking summer and an increase in heat-related patients.

On October 20, the department responded it already had a hazard plan in place, setting out how different agencies responded to extreme heat. It also pointed to a new phone service, announced in January, which checks in on vulnerable people during heatwaves.

But Pettitt said that response fell well short of what was needed.

“This is not a proportionate response to the challenge before us, and we are a wealthy state. We are absolutely capable of investing in the things we need,” he said.

Pettitt said the government should be investing in practical ways to help people stay cool, particularly those who cannot afford air conditioning or live in poorly insulated homes. Like keeping air-conditioned libraries open longer and improving access to swimming pools in regional communities.

He also criticised the lack of tree cover in new suburbs, leaving residents with little shade during extreme heat.

A WA Health spokesperson told this masthead the department would work to keep the community “informed and safe” ahead of summer.

“In partnership with the Bureau of Meteorology, we are preparing our systems, training staff and preparing targeted health information based on forecast conditions,” they said.

“We are also working with hospitals across the state to support preparedness for heat-related presentations.”

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, which published the Climate Adaptation Strategy, has been contacted for comment, along with the health minister.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.