Unless development changes, heat trend will continue

In last edition (Peninsula News 476), it was reported that the Peninsula has the hottest suburbs on the Central Coast.

Based on a report by Seed Consulting Services, whose findings iterate what is happening in many Sydney suburbs, we are reminded of the effects of urban development patterns on the urban heat effect.

The report lists the usual suspects of tree loss, impervious surfaces such as bitumen roads, dark roofs and bare ground being amongst the hottest land surface types in urban landscapes.

Unless development patterns change to acknowledge the integral importance of trees and other vegetation in mitigating the urban heat effect and in lessening the micro effect of climate change, this trend will continue.

I would encourage Council to incorporate into their development plans, strategies that encourage architectural designs that emphasise the retention of existing, mature trees and other vegetation so there is no net loss of trees and shrubs when new, denser development replaces existing buildings.

Email, 23 Aug 2019

Suraya Coorey, Woy Woy