Swan Hill Rural City Council is urging residents to prepare for severe conditions as temperatures are expected to soar from tomorrow, Saturday 24 January, and continue through next week.
Council's CEO, Scott Barber said Council would provide free access to all local public swimming pools from Monday to Wednesday next week, helping residents stay cool during the hottest part of the forecast period.
"This decision reflects Council's focus on community safety and wellbeing during severe weather events.
"Extended periods of severe heat can have serious impacts on health, particularly for older residents, young children and those with existing medical conditions. Providing free access to our swimming pools is one practical way we can help people cool down and reduce the risks associated with severe heat," Mr Barber said.
In addition to pools, several cool and accessible community spaces will be open throughout the heatwave, including:
- Local public swimming pools across the municipality - FREE access Monday 26 to Wednesday 28 January 2026.
- Robinvale and Swan Hill Libraries
- Swan Hill Art Gallery
- Swan Hill Town Hall, with two performances running and tickets still available
"We encourage everyone to take simple precautions - stay hydrated, avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day, and check in on neighbours, friends, family members who may be more vulnerable and of course look out for pets as well," he said.
Residents are also reminded that kerbside waste collection times may vary next week, with trucks potentially arriving earlier than usual.
"To avoid missing a service, bins should be placed out the night before the scheduled collection," Mr Barber said.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed by monitoring official warnings and updates. CLICK HERE for VicEmergency
