Heat and Hazards

Climate change is already reshaping our region. Through initiatives like Heat and Hazards, we drive community awareness, adaptation planning and stronger environmental protections that help the Sunshine Coast withstand extreme weather, rising temperatures and cumulative climate risks, and help keep Queenslanders safe.

Climate change is intensifying extreme weather in Queensland — not just heatwaves, but floods, storms and cyclones — putting people, communities, biodiversity, and ecosystems at increasing risk. In response, the Queensland Conservation Council (QCC) and the state’s nine regional conservation councils have united in the Heat & Hazards: Keeping Queenslanders Safe campaign to push for stronger climate resilience and hazard mitigation policies and funding across Queensland.



Why this campaign matters

  • Heat is now one of the deadliest climate hazards in Queensland, linked to heat-related illness, hospitalisations and mortality, particularly for older adults, people with health vulnerabilities and outdoor workers.

  • Extreme weather events are compounding one another: heatwaves often occur alongside storms, power outages and other hazards, worsening risks for communities and ecosystems.

  • Healthy natural systems like coastal dunes, wetlands, urban forests and riparian corridors can help cool urban areas, buffer flood impacts, and protect biodiversity in a changing climate.

What the Heat & Hazards campaign is advocating

The campaign brings together evidence, community stories, and expert recommendations to urge Queensland’s State Government and political leaders to:

  • Revamp and strengthen QCoast 2100

Ensure coastal councils have access to non-competitive funding, advanced coastal hazard modelling, and science-based planning tools through the QCoast2100 coastal adaptation program so they can plan proactively for sea-level rise, erosion, storm surge and related risks.

  • Establish a QHeat 2050 program

Modelled on successful hazard planning like QCoast2100, QHeat 2050 would provide dedicated funding and planning support to local governments to map heat exposure, assess vulnerabilities and implement local heat mitigation and adaptation actions.

  • Promote nature-based solutions

Invest in urban and regional nature-based solutions — such as tree canopy growth, wetlands restoration, coastal dune protection and green corridors — which help reduce heat island effects, support biodiversity and strengthen ecosystem and community resilience.

  • Support Queensland Climate Resilient Councils

Reinstate and expand the Queensland Climate Resilient Councils Program so councils have the capacity, skills and resources to embed climate risk planning and adaptation into everyday operations and long-term planning.

Community engagement and Story Circles

Regional conservation councils participating in the campaign have been gathering local stories about lived experiences with heatwaves, floods and storms. These “Story Circles” help ensure community voices inform policy recommendations and highlight the real-world impacts of climate hazards on everyday Queenslanders.

How to support the campaign

The Heat & Hazards campaign invites individuals, community groups and organisations to:

  • Sign on to letters of support and open submissions urging government action.

  • Share your own experiences of heat and climate hazards to strengthen the case for better planning and resources.

  • Engage with local governments to prioritise climate adaptation and nature-based hazard mitigation in local planning