'Haven't taken it seriously': Calls for action on Australia's most deadly natural disaster
The NSW Net Zero Commission has identified extreme heat as Australia's most deadly natural disaster, responsible for more deaths between 2000 and 2018 than all other natural hazards combined. The commission is urging the state government to implement heat action plans, improve housing standards, and establish better data tracking on heat-related deaths. While the government claims progress in addressing heat stress, advocates argue more urgent action is needed to protect vulnerable populations.
- ▪Extreme heat caused more deaths in Australia between 2000 and 2018 than bushfires, floods, and other natural hazards combined.
- ▪The NSW Net Zero Commission recommends personal extreme heat plans, similar to bushfire or flood plans, for all residents.
- ▪The report calls for minimum thermal safety standards in rental, social, and Aboriginal housing to improve conditions for 35% of NSW's housing stock.
- ▪Vulnerable groups such as older people, infants, outdoor workers, and those in poorly designed housing are at highest risk of heat stress.
- ▪NSW Health and SafeWork NSW are urged to publish heat-related death data and mandate workplace heat stress management plans.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Extreme heat the most deadly yet preventable natural disaster, NSW Net Zero Commission saysDBy Declan Bowring702 ABC SydneyTopic:Extreme Weather Events25m ago25 minutes agoThu 30 Apr 2026 at 9:37pmExtreme heat is Australia's worst natural disaster. (Supplied: Stephen Churcher)In short:The state government's new Net Zero Commission has called for planning rules to be updated to address extreme heat, warning it is not being taken seriously enough.The commission's report found extreme heat has caused more deaths in Australia in an 18-year period than all other natural hazards combined.What's next?The state government says it is making progress on addressing heat stress in some of the ways mentioned by the review.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at ABC News (Australia).