Western Sydney is typically six degrees to 10 degrees hotter than the rest of the city during extreme heat events. Preparing for extreme heat and heatwaves can help reduce heatstroke and heat-related illness.
While severe weather can occur at any time of the year, October to April is the peak time for severe weather in Western Sydney where conditions such as heatwaves and bushfires are not uncommon. Cool centres are available across Western Sydney to help keep community cool when a heatwave hits.
There are several cool centres across Western Sydney where you can seek refuge from the heat. These centres are for people who are unable to keep cool at home, and include swimming centres, libraries and community hubs.
Cool Centres open at different dates and times. On heatwave days, please call your preferred cool centre before attending to confirm availability.
Local council websites include a list of cool centres, libraries, and swimming pools you can visit to cool down.
- Blacktown LGA: Visit the Blacktown Council Beat the heat webpage for more information
- Cumberland LGA: Visit the Cumberland Council Beat the heat webpage for more information
- Parramatta LGA: Visit the City of Parramatta Beat the heat webpage for more information
There are several ways you can prepare for a heatwave, these include:
- Drinking plenty of water
- Monitoring the local temperature and weather conditions
- Avoiding strenuous activities during the hottest time of the day
- Checking in with those most at risk (pregnant women, young children, the elderly, those with chronic illnesses and outdoor workers)
- Visiting a Western Sydney cool centre
Heatwave warnings can be found on the Bureau of Meteorology website.
Blacktown City Council, Australian Red Cross and NSW Health Western Sydney Local Health District have developed helpful resources with information on how to ‘Beat the Heat’.
The Heatwave Service for Australia webpage provides a forecast for heatwave severity across Australia.
For more information on how to stay well during hot weather, visit the NSW Health Beat the Heat webpage.
Visiting a Western Sydney Cool Centre
There are several cool centres open across Western Sydney where you can seek refuge from the heat. These centres are for people who are unable to keep cool at home, and include swimming centres, libraries and community hubs.
- Blacktown Aquatic Centre: 4 Boyd Street, Blacktown NSW 2148
- Blacktown Showground Precinct Water Play Park: Blacktown Showground, NSW 2148
- Blacktown Uniting Church: 59-65 Bungarribee Road, Blacktown NSW 2148
- Doonside Community Centre: Corner Graham and Hill End Road, Doonside NSW 2767
- Marayong Community Centre: 62 Railway Road, Marayong NSW 2148
- Minchinbury Neighbourhood Centre: 46 Minchin Drive, Minchinbury NSW 2770
- Mount Druitt Hub: 9 Ayers Grove, Mount Druitt NSW 2770
- Mount Druitt Swimming Centre: 7 Mount Street, Mount Druitt NSW 2770
- Parramatta Aquatic Centre: 7A Park Parade, Parramatta NSW 2150
- Parramatta Library (Phive), 5 Parramatta Square, Parramatta NSW 2150
- Riverstone Neighbourhood Centre: 9 Park Street, Riverstone NSW 2765
- Riverstone Swimming Centre: Market Street, Riverstone NSW 2765
- Tregear Community Centre: 108 Ellsworth Drive, Tregear NSW 2770
For additional information about cool centres run by Blacktown council, please visit the Blacktown Council Beat the Heat webpage. Additional cool centres will be open and available when the Bureau of Meteorology issues a ‘severe’ or ‘extreme’ heatwave warning. This usually occurs three to seven days before a forecasted heatwave.
This information is correct as of 21 October 2025.