Yass Valley kids deserve sun-safe play! Shade our playgrounds.
The issue
As a mum of two young children, I spend a lot of time at our local playgrounds. I’m calling on Yass Valley Council to add sun shades to our playgrounds to provide safe play for our kids.
Specifically, we respectfully request Council:
- add sun shade structures to all existing playgrounds in the Yass Valley Council area by the end of 2027;
- ensure planned and future playgrounds have sun shades in included in their design, budget and construction;
- ensure a minimum of 50 percent of each playground area is shaded; and
- ensure sun shade solutions provide adequate UV protection in line with Australian industry standards.
The necessity of outdoor play for children's holistic development is well-established. Yet, as parents and guardians, we inevitably worry about the risk of skin damage and skin cancer from Australia's harsh sun.
In our Yass Valley Council area, public playgrounds are a favourite spot for children to express themselves, explore, and enjoy. Unfortunately, these spaces have been designed without adequate consideration of the powerful sun that dominates our skies for much of the year. The current lack of sufficient shade in these playgrounds puts our children's health at risk every time they step outside to play.
Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer globally, recording more than 12,000 new cases of melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer, each year. Moreover, research shows that sun exposure during childhood significantly increases a person's risk in the future. Given these frightening statistics, it is of utmost importance to provide sun protection in areas frequented by children (Source: Cancer Council).
By introducing shade structures to all playgrounds in the Yass Valley Council area, we can better protect our children from harmful UV rays while they enjoy the benefits of outdoor play. Safe play under the sun should not be a luxury but a basic right. Playgrounds in neighbouring council areas have excellent shade protection, for example playgrounds in Boorowa and Bungendore, and provide working models for Yass Valley Council to consider.
Please join me and sign this petition to the Yass Valley Council to add shade to all playgrounds.
Image credit: Yass Valley Times
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The issue
As a mum of two young children, I spend a lot of time at our local playgrounds. I’m calling on Yass Valley Council to add sun shades to our playgrounds to provide safe play for our kids.
Specifically, we respectfully request Council:
- add sun shade structures to all existing playgrounds in the Yass Valley Council area by the end of 2027;
- ensure planned and future playgrounds have sun shades in included in their design, budget and construction;
- ensure a minimum of 50 percent of each playground area is shaded; and
- ensure sun shade solutions provide adequate UV protection in line with Australian industry standards.
The necessity of outdoor play for children's holistic development is well-established. Yet, as parents and guardians, we inevitably worry about the risk of skin damage and skin cancer from Australia's harsh sun.
In our Yass Valley Council area, public playgrounds are a favourite spot for children to express themselves, explore, and enjoy. Unfortunately, these spaces have been designed without adequate consideration of the powerful sun that dominates our skies for much of the year. The current lack of sufficient shade in these playgrounds puts our children's health at risk every time they step outside to play.
Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer globally, recording more than 12,000 new cases of melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer, each year. Moreover, research shows that sun exposure during childhood significantly increases a person's risk in the future. Given these frightening statistics, it is of utmost importance to provide sun protection in areas frequented by children (Source: Cancer Council).
By introducing shade structures to all playgrounds in the Yass Valley Council area, we can better protect our children from harmful UV rays while they enjoy the benefits of outdoor play. Safe play under the sun should not be a luxury but a basic right. Playgrounds in neighbouring council areas have excellent shade protection, for example playgrounds in Boorowa and Bungendore, and provide working models for Yass Valley Council to consider.
Please join me and sign this petition to the Yass Valley Council to add shade to all playgrounds.
Image credit: Yass Valley Times
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Petition created on 11 January 2025