It’s official – Brookvale is pretty hot. Northern Beaches Council has carried out a microclimate and urban heat mapping of the local government area, and the findings are hot.
The study, in collaboration with Western Sydney University, revealed that the diverse land uses and varying levels of tree canopy coverage create temperature differences of nearly 5°C across the suburb.
The Heat Logger project involved recording near-surface air temperatures at 30 locations across Brookvale from 1 December 2024 to 15 February 2025.
The absolute highest temperature recorded was 43.7°C at Mitchell Road on 28 January 2025, while Dale Street took out the hottest street category with an average air temperature of 23.9°C – almost 1.5°C warmer than the coolest spot on Clearview Place.
The north-western part of the precinct was cooler east of the extensive vegetation within Allenby Park where tree canopy cover was higher even within the built environment.
Brookvale’s industrial areas with minimal greenery experienced more intense and prolonged heat.
Although areas with a higher tree canopy can benefit from cooler daytime temperatures, the study revealed that dense canopies can act like a thermal blanket at night, trapping heat.
Mayor Sue Heins said, “The identification of hot spots and cooler locations within Brookvale allows us to strategically plan our greening efforts.
“These findings support the Brookvale Structure Plan – Greening Strategy to transform our public spaces using evidence-based data. Through incorporating more shade, vegetation, and water elements, we aim to create a more comfortable and inviting environment for everyone,” Mayor Heins said.