A community education program will raise awareness about heat effects and ways to minimise heat stress.
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Deputy mayor Lisa Intemann raised the matter at November's Port Macquarie-Hastings Council meeting.
She said the community education program was the first step as it was important to develop community awareness about what could be done during heatwaves.
Cr Intemann said a heat plan was a long-term plan which started with the communications plan.
The council will take its lead from NSW Health.
Dr Sarah Mollard spoke in favour of the community education program.
She said the motion addressed the problem of heat, not just any old run of the mill hot day in summer but extreme heat - heatwaves.
"The heat that kills," Dr Mollard said.
She said heatwaves made people sick.
They could cause dehydration, heat stress and heatstroke, she said, and they made heart, lung and kidney disease worse.
Dr Mollard also spoke about the impact of heatwaves on infrastructure, economy and service industries.
"There are a range of actions individuals can take to protect against the worst effects of heat-related illness, and as a doctor, I wholeheartedly support this motion to provide community education with respect to this matter," she said.
"With summer only weeks away, it is probably the single most effective decision council can make today to literally save lives."
Dr Mollard called for the education strategies to sit within a comprehensive heat plan.
She said the science was clear.
"The climate emergency is the biggest single threat facing our community and is already claiming lives," Dr Mollard said.
"Heat waves are more frequent and more severe due to the climate emergency. The risks posed by heat waves demand a comprehensive response."
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