Extreme temperatures in the 40s are expected to affect Wagga Wagga and surrounds next week (Sunday 25 January through to Friday 30 January 2026) and Council is encouraging everyone to take extra care and plan ahead.
As Monday 26 January is a public holiday, Council urges residents to plan now for how they will avoid the heat, especially given several Council facilities and community spaces will be closed that day.
Council's Australia Day plans have been altered slightly due to the heat. While the Community Breakfast at Riverside will continue as normal (7am – 9am), the Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony has been relocated from Riverside to the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre (from 9am – 11am).
A temporary "Cool Centre" will be open between 9am and 5pm on Monday 26 January at the Seniors Community Centre on Tarcutta Street, for those seeking free access to air-conditioned spaces, bathrooms and water.
For the other days, "Cool Spaces" are available to the community, including facilities such as the Library, Art Gallery, Museum, community centres and shopping centres.
Oasis Aquatic Centre will be open over the long weekend (including Monday). Council's free pool entry may be in effect for days forecast to be over 41 degrees.
Free entry will be confirmed after 2pm the day prior on the Wagga Leisure and City of Wagga Wagga Facebook and Instagram pages.
The number of attendees at Oasis will be capped, so residents are encouraged to check Wagga Leisure's social media pages for updates.
During hot days, more people head to swimming pools and inland waterways to stay cool; Council is reminding the community to enjoy all water activity safely and responsibly.
Pool safety tips:
- Ensure kids and young people are always supervised
- Make sure pool gates and fences are secure and self-closing
- Never swim alone, while tired or when you feel unwell
- Avoid alcohol when swimming or keeping an eye on others
River safety tips:
- Supervise kids and young people, at all times
- Remember that river conditions can change quickly
- Be aware of currents, and always check for submerged objects
- Always enter the water slowly, feet first
An additional reminder that all contact with the water at Lake Albert should be avoided until further notice, due to a current Blue-green Algae bloom.
Above all, residents are reminded to stay out of the sun during the heatwave as much as possible, drink plenty of water, ensure pets and livestock have access to shade and water, and check on those in the community that may be more vulnerable.
