An appeal from Bulli reader Yvette Farmer, who has started a Change.org petition calling for shade at Bulli's beachfront playground
Outdoor play is essential for children's cognitive, psychological, and physiological development. The lack of shade at Illawarra playgrounds is deeply concerning. No shade means playground equipment can become dangerously hot, making it unsafe for children to enjoy playgrounds in warm weather. This situation is particularly problematic in times when summer heat is increasing as a result of climate change. Currently, the Bulli and Woonona playgrounds in the Illawarra have almost zero shade, meaning if children want to enjoy these outdoor spaces they are exposed to harmful UV rays.
Now more than ever is it necessary for Wollongong City Council to prioritise both natural shade options (trees) and shade structures such as shade cloths.
Wollongong City Council has recently invested in a number of fantastic park upgrades (Bulli, Gordon Hutton Park for example) However, both parks desperately need more shade. When the council was contacted about the lack of shade at Bulli Park, their response was “Council priorities natural shade first approach” which makes no sense as Bulli beach playground has no trees. Council also stated they were concerned about “sightliness” of shade cloths. Again, this doesn’t make sense as at Bulli, where there are no direct views of the ocean that would be blocked by shade structures.
Gordon Hutton Park in Woonona has received an upgrade. This park does have some developing trees, which is great, however, they are at least 10 years away from providing any decent shade. There is definitely room for more trees and shade structures.
Council acknowledges that the suburbs of Wollongong have some of the lowest tree canopy cover in NSW, here is the perfect opportunity to plant trees on council land to benefit our community and work towards council’s own Urban Greening Strategy.
Our parks need both shade cloths and trees, and we need these things now. Not in 10 years' time when a whole generation of children has missed out on access to outdoor play. Parramatta City Council prioritises shade at EVERY park in their LGA; Newcastle, Gundagai, all provide shade for the children and families.
Why can’t our community have this same chance to play outdoors?
Please sign this petition urging our councillors to do something about the lack of shade at our playgrounds.