By Katherine Corluka and Nelly Mcniell
Does the way our suburbs are built make it easier or harder to get around on hot summer days?
Summer is around the corner, and as someone who grew up in Melbourne’s western suburbs and now lives in Keilor Downs, I know firsthand how challenging hot summer days and nights can be.
My name is Katherine, and I, alongside my colleague Nelly, are completing an internship with Sweltering Cities as part of our university placement. Sweltering Cities is a national health NGO that works directly with people in hot suburbs and homes to advocate and campaign for more liveable, equitable, and sustainable cities.
This November Sweltering Cities is hosting two Cool Walks Community Meetups, one in Sunshine and one in Footscray. The aim of these meetups is to bring together community members in Melbourne’s west to share great ideas on cooling our streets, highlight cool spots that people love and want to see more of, and collect powerful stories that we can share with community and decision makers over summer.
The walks will be followed by a free lunch.
At these meetups, we’ll take a 25-minute walk around the neighbourhood, with plenty of stops to share our ideas. We’ll be keeping an eye out for hot and cool spots on the walk, like trees, shaded or unshaded streets, parks, bus stops and more.
The data we gather during the walks will be used to create a powerful community map that we’ll take directly to local decision-makers to push for the changes people are asking for.
By showing them on-the-ground evidence from our own communities, we can make a stronger case to decision makers for taking real action to create cooler, safer, and more liveable suburbs for everyone. The more data we gather, the stronger our voice becomes, and the more likely that our decision-makers listen and take real action to create cooler, safer suburbs for everyone.
Don’t worry if you’re not a mapping expert, or you’re not from Footscray or Sunshine, everyone is welcome. We’ll print maps with the route, and you can mark hot spots using your phone or jot them down on paper.
Help us work toward a cooler West and join us!
Secure your spot –RSVP at eventbrite.com.au
Event details
Footscray
Date: 6th November
Time: 12pm–2:30pm
Meet up location:
Footscray train station
Lunch location: Myrtle cafe
Sunshine
Date: 7th November
Time: 12–2:30pm
Meet up location:
Sunshine train station
Lunch location: Derrimut Hotel
What to bring
Water bottle – Staying hydrated is key, so be sure to bring plenty of water.
Comfortable walking shoes – We’ll be on our feet for a bit, so wear something supportive.
Light, breathable clothing – Keep cool in loose, comfortable attire.
Hat and sunglasses – Protect yourself from the sun while enjoying the walk.
Sunscreen – Don’t forget to apply it before and during the walk!
