Some of our Riverwood customers are taking part in a study by Western Sydney University on the impacts of ‘urban heat island effect’ (which occurs when cities replace natural land cover with dense concentrations of pavement, buildings, and other surfaces that absorb and retain heat) on people who live in social housing.

The study will take place over three years, with customer views sought and solutions trialled. One of the key research areas is investigating potential solutions that mitigate the effects of the increasing number of days of 35+ degree heat.

SGCH’s 9A/B Washington Avenue has been determined as being on the periphery of a heat island. At this stage, six external heat sensors have been installed around Washington Avenue and three residents have volunteered to have two sensors each installed in the coolest and hottest part of their homes. These sensors will collect temperature every 10 minutes for about 105 days. When complete they will be collected, and the data downloaded and analysed. In the meantime, the WSU team will also lodge temperature readings from satellites and other sources.

The research team will start talking to customers soon about their experiences and then a solution that suits Washington Avenue will be tested. SGCH will be able to use outcomes to help make improvement at other properties.