Cooling Western Sydney: The Reasonings and Strategies
Published by Isaiah Anthony Ring
Quick Demographic And Geography Description Of Greater Western Sydney Areas
Sydney is the major city of New South Wales, Australia. Sydney has a total land area of 12,368km2. Western Sydney or Greater Western Sydney is the biggest region of Sydney. The Western Suburbs (colloquial) covers 5,309km2 of Sydney whole land area. Western Sydney is very populated as well. From The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS, 2020), The Estimated Resident Population (ERP) of Greater Western Sydney as of 30th June, 2020 is 2.619 million. Using the same ERP method (ABS, 2020), as of 30th June, 2020, the entire population of Sydney is 5.367 million. So, a huge part of Sydney is both covered and populated by Greater Western Sydney. This makes this issue important to as (for a start) Western Sydney is a major part of Sydney and not just what many foreign people think of Sydney (Eastern Suburbs, CBD). Before getting into the methods and reasons of Cooling Western Sydney, a thorough comparison of the micro-climate (a difference in climate like the pattern within a small distance of area in major Cities) of Western Sydney to Sydney CBD will be presented.
Comparing The Maximum Temperatures
Climate statistics of Sydney show a difference in monthly average maximum daytime temperatures during the warmer months (Bureau Of Meteorology, 2021). Months that don’t commonly show a maximum daytime temperature difference of at least 1–3C+ (degrees celsius) are April through to August. From 1991–2020, Sydney (Observatory Hill), which is the CBD frequently records maximum daytime temperatures more than 1C below two Cities in Greater Western Sydney. But, the extreme temperatures show up to more than 10C difference.
Extreme maximum temperatures are also much more drastic in Western Sydney. The hottest days recorded in Sydney are mostly recorded in Western Sydney like Penrith, where 48.9C broke the record for the hottest temperature in Sydney in 2020 (during the Black Summer Australian Bushfire Crisis). Previous hottest temperature were recorded in other Cities like Campbelltown, Richmond and Penrith as well. The 90th percentile maximum temperature in January especially shows a big difference in ‘hot’ summer days in Sydney CBD and Western Sydney. Penrith — 39.1C > Sydney CBD — 31.1C.
Comparing The Rainfall
Climate statistical data from the same government site shows Sydney CBD having much wetter months than Camden (South West). So, the micro-climate of Western Sydney is generally drier year round. Combine that with it being hotter and you have less relief on hotter days in Western Sydney than the CBD, which has a less effect of the foehn wind effect. (Jason J et al. 2010) In the third paragraph of the introduction of an article Foehn-Like Winds and Elevated Fire Danger Conditions in Southeastern Australia, a Foehn Wind Effect occurs when temperatures feel (Apparent) or are (Ambient) significantly warmer as a result of warm wind passing over The Great Dividing Range. The Sydney ocean is within proximity of the CBD and the Eastern Suburbs so the extreme heat from the warm Foehn winds don’t execute much difference or concern for locals as Western Sydney. This is a great reason to change with cooling Western Sydney.
How Cooling Western Sydney Is Methodised
A 24-page PowerPoint Presentation by Sydney Water Corporation states that Cooling Western Sydney is “A strategic study on the role of water in mitigating urban heat in Western Sydney” (Sydney WATER et. al., 2017). On page 5, they reiterated the fact that Western Sydney records +6–10C temperature increase during extreme events in the middle of Summer than the Eastern Suburbs.
Passionate people at Sydney WATER presented created methods throughout their PowerPoint. On page 6’s The Role of Water in the Western Sydney Landscape, it states a method. Western Sydney urban areas will be surrounded by “blue-green grids of parklands and waterways”. This is to most importantly combat heatwaves over 35C (that is experienced significantly more in Western Sydney) with “cooling and amenity”. Amenity meaning desirable. The outdoor area at Narellan Town Centre is an example of forming waterways to cool parts of Western Sydney. A big water fountain and a long wall like water feature are noticeably pretty to both look at and listen to.
A technique that is also being used to potentially reduce average peak ambient temperatures by up to 2.5C is presented on page 16. This method involves adding greenery to areas that are surrounded by little to no greenery. Areas such as carparks for example are notorious for its’ ability to trap as much extreme heat as possible in parked cars that are not shaded. Many people since they were children can remember what it was like touching the metal part of the seatbelt during summer. You would’ve also remembered your parents trying to score a park with shade because the car would get too hot. Many carparks didn’t and still don’t have many shade spots.
Why These Methods Are And Should Be Pursued
Sydney WATER has pointed on page 5 that Penrith statistically is up to three times higher than Sydney (Observatory Hill) to fall victim to Heat-Related Deaths. This allows people to apply reasoning to cooling Western Sydney. Having Heat-Related Deaths much higher in Western Sydney (especially in Penrith) during heatwaves should not be overlooked or brushed off a minor issue. People’s lives should always be treated as a number one priority when issues like extreme heatwaves in Western Sydney are directly affective towards them.
To reiterate, with the inclusion of watery, greenery and shading areas in Western Sydney like car parks and urban neighbourhoods have very promising results. Ambient temperatures can potentially decrease by up to 2.5C in Western Sydney with the inclusion of watery, greenery and shading. And, Heat-Related illnesses such as heat stroke and even death can be greatly reduced from being up to three times higher than Sydney CBD and in the Eastern Suburbs. It is very important to be aware of this issue for a change, but also in my belief be supported, not fought against.
