Extreme weather
kills people without shelter

We are calling on every NSW council to develop a local emergency response plan for extreme weather – and to make sure that plan reaches every person sleeping rough in their area.

The issue

Extreme heat and extreme cold are not inconveniences. For a person sleeping rough, they are life-threatening.

As climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather events in Australia, people experiencing homelessness face growing risk. We do not have reliable national statistics on how many people die from exposure each year. What we do know is that every person without shelter is affected – and that most councils still do not have a plan.

A plan only works if the whole community is part of it. Council leads — but there is a role for everyone.

Code Red & Code Blue

Emergency response plans for extreme weather are activated under two alert codes. Understanding them is the first step to responding effectively.

Code Red —
Extreme heat

Activated when:

Average daily temperature exceeds 32°C for 3 consecutive days.

Code Blue —
Extreme cold

Activated when:

Any 2 of the following occur for 3 consecutive days:

Average night-time temperature falls below 6°C

Significant rainfall

Damaging winds

What councils can do

We are asking every NSW council to take two steps. Neither requires significant resources to begin. Both require political will.

Step 1

Pass a motion to create a local plan

Councils can commit to developing a local emergency response plan for extreme weather by passing a council motion. This is already happening.

Step 2

Work with local services to build the plan

A motion is a commitment. A plan is what delivers. Councils should work with local services, clubs, businesses, philanthropies, and community groups to develop a practical, coordinated response.

Example:
Randwick Council motion

Randwick Council passed a motion that:

Supports the development of uniform local emergency response plans in extreme weather events for every person in Randwick experiencing homelessness
Writes to the Federal and State Ministers for Homelessness indicating support for a nationally uniform approach to the roll-out of emergency response plans
That a report be brought back to Council outlining the proposed roadmap for both planning and implementing a local emergency response plan for extreme weather events affecting people experiencing homelessness in the Randwick LGA

This motion is a template. Any council in NSW can adapt and pass it.

Councils who have adopted similar motions:

A plan should provide access to:

Emergency shelter

Food
and water

Medical
services

Mental
health support

Appropriate clothing and hygiene products

Transportation
to safety

Connections to Centrelink and other essential services

The people who can activate a response quickly are the ones with regular contact with rough sleepers — local services, outreach workers, community organisations. Identify them. Make sure they are part of the plan.

Resources

The following guides provide a practical foundation for understanding and developing extreme weather preparedness plans.

Affordable
Housing Coalition:

Know the Code — Code Red and Code Blue

A plain-language guide to what Code Red and Code Blue mean and how services should respond.

affordablesa.com.au

The Coalition
for the Homeless:

Code Red and Blue Preparedness Guide

A practical guide to developing preparedness plans for homeless services.

coalitionforthehomeless.org

Get involved

If you are a council member, a local service provider, or a community member who wants to push your council to act — we can help.

Contact our team to find out what a local plan could look like for your area, or how to raise this at your next council meeting.

Extreme weather kills people without shelter