Playgrounds like this one in Richard Aldersea Park in Clarkson could be without shade sails for up to 50 years.
Camera IconPlaygrounds like this one in Richard Aldersea Park in Clarkson could be without shade sails for up to 50 years. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Playgrounds out in open

Lucy JarvisNorth Coast Times

IT could take 50 years for all existing playgrounds in the City of Wanneroo to get shade sails, a council report says.

The report on the March 22 briefing session agenda responded to a petition by Merriwa resident Lewis Flood seeking a shade sails policy for playgrounds built in the North Coast Ward.

According to the report, the current parks shade structure program started after councillor Brett Treby moved a bid for shade sails at Appleby Park in Darch in 2014.

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“This program currently sees $100,000 committed to install four shade sails per year to play equipment in public open space across the City,” it said.

“These parks are selected through a prioritisation matrix, which is reviewed every two years.”

Criteria used include whether there are shade structures at other playgrounds within 800m, physical barriers to the parks, natural shade that exists, the park’s rating on the asset renewal program and other infrastructure onsite.

“There are currently 197 playgrounds listed on administration’s asset database which, based on the current project schedule, will take 50 years to complete,” the report said.

“Of the 197 playgrounds, 109 are located in the North Coast Ward, 50 in the Central Ward and 38 in the South Ward.”

It said the council could consider allocating extra funding in its 20 year capital works budget to reduce the overall time to retro-fit shade structures at existing playgrounds.

“The total cost to provide shade structures for each of the 109 playgrounds in the North Coastal Ward is estimated to be $2,725,000,” it said.

“The total cost to install shade structures at each of the 197 playgrounds in the City would be approximately $4,925,000.”

The report recommends council make note of a revised local planning policy that will make shade over future play areas a standard requirement.

A report on public submissions for that policy will be considered by councillors at their April 5 meeting.