Darling Downs Environment Council

Every summer, Queenslanders confront increasingly severe extreme weather events, including floods, storms, cyclones, and heatwaves, all exacerbated by climate change. These events not only threaten the safety and well-being of our communities but also strain our economy. To adequately prepare for these hazards, proactive measures from local governments are essential to enhance resilience to extreme weather events.

The Issue at Hand:

The Darling Downs Environment Council is particularly concerned about the impact of heatwaves in the Toowoomba region. As temperatures rise, urban areas become heat islands, exacerbating the effects of heatwaves on residents' health and well-being. To address this pressing issue, DDEC has started the Keep Toowoomba Cool Campaign to urge Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) to take decisive action to enhance the city's resilience to heatwaves. We are working with the community to advocate protections for mature trees and localised and time based canopy coverage targets to create corridors of cooling with the right trees in the right place. 

Proposed Actions:

• Climate Adaptation Planning and Capacity:
  • Fund the completion and implementation of the Climate Risk Management Strategy, ensuring sufficient staffing to expedite the process. This strategy will provide a comprehensive framework for identifying and mitigating climate-related risks, including those posed by heatwaves.
• Environmental Policy with Measurable Objectives:
  • Replace or amend the Green Infrastructure Plan into a robust environmental policy featuring measurable objectives. This policy should include comprehensive heat and biodiversity mapping and planning, aligned with the city's planning scheme and corporate plan. By setting clear objectives, TRC can effectively address the challenges posed by heatwaves and biodiversity loss.
• Cooling Our City and Towns:
  • Set individual suburb tree canopy coverage goals for council land, aiming for a minimum of 40% coverage by 2032. Utilize tree species that support biodiversity goals within our future climate projections and provide effective shade to mitigate the urban heat island effect. Strategic tree planting can significantly reduce temperatures and enhance the livability of urban areas.
• Protection of Mature Trees from Urban Development:
  • Safeguard cooling canopy provided by mature trees from urban development in suburbs and small towns. Preserve existing green spaces and prioritize the retention of mature trees in development projects. Protecting these trees is crucial for maintaining natural cooling mechanisms and preserving biodiversity.
• Community Engagement and Education:
  • Directly engage and educate communities to collaborate on adaptation strategies, such as tree adoption programs in neighborhoods. Increase adaptive capacity, particularly among vulnerable groups, by providing resources for risk mitigation and preparedness. Empowering communities to take action enhances resilience and fosters a sense of ownership over adaptation efforts.

Toowoomba Regional Council plays a vital role in enhancing the city's resilience to heatwaves and other climate-related hazards. By implementing the proposed actions outlined above, TRC can take proactive steps to mitigate the impacts of heatwaves, safeguarding the well-being of residents and the sustainability of our communities. It is imperative that TRC prioritizes climate adaptation and resilience-building measures to ensure a safer and more resilient future for Toowoomba.

We are also working with other regional conservation groups to advocate for better state government support for climate adaptation. Read our policy brief here. 

Participate in our listening drive by filling out our heatwave experience survey here. 

If you are looking for more information about the context of our recommendations and why it is important for our community you can read our report here.

If you want to get involved to help Keep Toowoomba Cool please get in touch with the DDEC Coordinator on 0455 619 454 or at [email protected]