Hume council has committed to tackling a long-standing gap in shade and UV protection at local playgrounds, with councillors endorsing a plan to trial new shade structures across the municipality.
Councillor Steve Gagen originally led a charge at the April 14 council meeting, putting forward a motion to investigate and improve Hume’s approach to UV protection and shaded play spaces as Australia has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world, according to SunSmart.
Council’s officers have since responded with a report, presented at the Monday, August 25 council meeting, confirming a trial of three shade structures will be rolled out in new parks and growth areas.
Council’s long-term focus remains on increasing tree canopy coverage, aiming for 20 per cent coverage in all reserves by 2050, but council’s challenge lies in the 10 to 15 years it can take for trees to provide reasonable shade, with Cr Gagen calling on the council to introduce temporary fixes while trees are growing.
“The aim of the plan is to take the cover in our parks from four per cent to 20 per cent, and at the same time look at other methods while the trees are growing,” he said.
Residents have consistently raised concerns about the amount of shade available in Hume’s key areas, with nearly 80 per cent of respondents in the 2021 “arks Close to Home survey requesting more shade in play areas.
According to SunSmart , most cases of skin cancer can be prevented, with good quality shade reducing UV exposure by up to 75 per cent.
Council’s report noted while shade sails are common, they have proven costly and risky in Hume’s conditions, requiring frequent inspections and lasting no more than a decade. Instead, the trial will explore alternative structures and innovative designs better suited to local needs.
The results will feed into broader planning, with shade and UV protection set to be formally incorporated into Hume’s Council Plan and Annual Action Plan from 2026. Cr Steve Gagen called on council to act.
“The response is a gradualist one, it’s not going to solve the problem overnight,” Cr Gagen said.
