January was the hottest on record, with more of those new-type hot days, the ones that come with warnings.

And when Western Sydney pulls a stinker, its people flock to our beaches. Illawarra beach visitor numbers increased by more more than 200 per cent from 2009-2014. 

But here’s the rub: another 30,000 homes are likely to be on our doorstep within 10-15 years, as Sydney’s sprawl metastisises around the Greater Macarthur area. That’s just the new housing planned for Wilton, Mt Gilead and Menangle Park. Multiply the 30,000 to get population numbers.

This growth could bring benefits for our region and planners know it. Cardno’s David Laing last year warned we ignore Western Sydney’s growth “at our peril”.

He’s talking about opportunities – more people at the beach means more business for shops (although many visitors bring half their kitchen with them).

But there will be pressures. The new suburbs will be hot. Houses nearly as large as the block leave no room for trees. So it’s off to Thirroul.

Appin Road will claim many more lives if it’s not divided. Suburban roads, already gridlocked at Bulli and Thirroul, will be a parking lot unless serious moves are made to expand access. Parking spots and bins will be feebly insufficient.

And council lifeguards packing up at 5.40pm on a scorcher with 200 people on the beach will not cut it unless we are ready to accept more drownings.

Many of these visitors are not familiar with the beach and many get into trouble. This can be cultural – many were born overseas, some swim fully clothed. But mostly it’s a lack of experience with rips, currents and the ocean’s unpredictability.

And while we’re happy to share our beaches, we want visitors to leave – alive.