I love it when people show up here for a few years and then think
they're the experts... even after they've moved. But then, many
people fail to notice there is life in the desert too.

My dear Australian friend. You and I have pretty much the same
climate. Since I am somehow able to make compost in my baking desert
heat I will assume the best; that you can too.

Have you had luck rigging up any shade for your pile? My compost is
in a corner of the yard where it has mostly shade. I only water it
every few weeks. It is not wet, it's just slightly moist (like a
squeezed out sponge). I try to turn it every week or two. I have
lovely compost in the bottom of the bin right now. AND there are also
WORMS in my California compost!

Heat is OK. Don't forget that compost heats up when it cooks. It's
not just hot from the sun it should be cooking as things decompose, so
take that as a good sign. Relax, part of the fun of gardening is
trying things out. You will get the hang of this, sometimes it just
takes a little trial and error.

Don't worry, the Navajo have grow food in the desert for thousands of
years. We can too!

I,m a bit curious about your mention of worms in your compost, are you trying to breed worms or make compost? whatever you should visit a good simple site with the correct information try www.diycompost.com
No big story just some good simple info about composting

My compost is always open, but I have a fairly large set break it down faster, I do not often because it large size makes it very heavy, I tried it with
When I have a loader available. My idea is to let it go to compost, it is mainly to break down, I add from time to time but the addition of nitrogen and lime, I let things happen naturally, I end up with a nice balance Compost.