Shade and UV inclusion in NSW local government planning policy

A report on the process and outcomes of influencing Local Strategic Planning Statements

20 November 2020 | Version 1 Prepared by Jan Fallding, Consultant Registered Planner

Shade and UV inclusion in NSW local government planning policy A report on the process and outcomes of influencing Local Strategic Planning Statements

SHPN: SHPN (CI) 210182 ISBN: 978-1-76081-650-6 (online) Suggested Citation Cancer Institute NSW. Shade and UV inclusion in NSW local government planning policy. Sydney:Cancer Institute NSW, 2020.

Publisher Cancer Institute NSW Level 6, 1 Reserve Road, St Leonards, NSW 2065 Locked Bag 2030 St Leonards NSW 1590 Tel: (02) 8374 5600 Email: [email protected] cancer.nsw.gov.au

Copyright © Cancer Institute NSW 2021. This work is copyright. It may be reproduced in whole or part for study or training purposes subject to the inclusion of acknowledgement of the source. It may not be reproduced for commercial usage or sale. Reproduction for purposes other than those indicated above requires written permission from the Cancer Institute NSW. HPRM: E20/24908 CI-0028.03.21 Prepared by Jan Fallding RPIA (Fellow) for the Cancer Institute NSW Consultant Strategic & Social Impact Planner Registered Planner, Planning Institute of Australia

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Contents

Executive summary ...... 5

Project overview and framework ...... 9 2.1. Objectives and focus of project ...... 9 2.2. Project scope ...... 9 2.3. Project context ...... 10

Methodology ...... 13 3.1. Introduction ...... 13 3.2. Preparation of submissions to draft LSPSs ...... 14 3.3. Analysis of shade and UV protection issues in final LSPSs and analysis of the effectiveness of submissions ...... 26 3.4. Review of other NSW council planning policy and procedures relating to shade provision ...... 26 3.5. Preparation of final report ...... 26 3.6. Limitations of methodology ...... 27

Influencing the inclusion of shade in Local Strategic Planning Statements ...... 28 4.1. Introduction ...... 28 4.2. Inclusion of shade and UV in LSPSs – how effective were the submissions? ...... 28 4.3. Recognition of the importance of shade for skin cancer prevention ...... 41 4.4. Addition of planning for shade as a specific LSPS Priority ...... 47 4.5. Recognition of shade and UV as a planning issue ...... 47 4.6. Leveraging the co-benefits of shade ...... 50 4.7. Addition of planning for shade as specific LSPS ‘Planning Principles/targets/future directions/policy positions’ ...... 55 4.8. Addition of shade and UV as a specific LSPS Action ...... 57 4.9. Inclusion of UV as a ’natural hazard’ ...... 68 4.10. Encouraging councils to prepare a UV and Shade Strategy ...... 71 4.11. Inclusion of UV and shade issues in ‘Smart City’ programs ...... 71 4.12. Referencing of Cancer Council NSW ‘Guidelines to Shade’ ...... 72 4.13. Shade issues referred to other sections of Council or projects ...... 72 4.14. Submissions made to other council policies/strategies ...... 73

Case studies ...... 74 5.1. Introduction ...... 74 5.2. Northern Beaches ...... 75 5.3. Strathfield ...... 77 5.4. Inner West LGA ...... 79 5.5. Penrith LGA ...... 80 5.6. Blue Mountains LGA ...... 81 5.7. Woollahra LGA ...... 82 5.8. Maitland ...... 83 5.9. Lismore ...... 85 5.10. Upper Hunter ...... 85

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5.11. Muswellbrook LGA ...... 87 5.12. Snowy Valleys LGA ...... 88 5.13. Newcastle LGA ...... 89 5.14. Tweed LGA ...... 90 5.15. Nambucca Valley LGA ...... 91 5.16. Queanbeyan–Palerang LGA ...... 92

Conclusions and recommendations ...... 94 6.1. Conclusions ...... 94 6.2. Recommendations ...... 96

Bibliography ...... 108

Annexures ...... 110 Annexure 1: The NSW planning system, Local Strategic Planning Statements, Regional and District Plans and Joint Organisations of Councils ...... 110 Annexure 2: Variables contained in database of Local Government Plan for Shade Provision ...... 113 Annexure 3: List of NSW councils and Local Strategic Planning Statements ...... 117 Annexure 4: Council, skin cancer incidence and type of LSPS submission made ...... 127 Annexure 5: Generic submission made by the Institute to draft LSPSs ...... 131 Annexure 6: Text in generic submissions to regional councils (from June 2020) regarding ‘UV as a natural hazard’ ...... 134 Annexure 7: Shade Provision: Suggested text for inclusion in Local Strategic Planning Statements (NSW Shade Working Group 2018) ...... 135

Glossary ...... 135

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Executive summary

Background and Local Strategic Planning Statements In 2019–2020, the Cancer Institute NSW (the Institute) engaged a Registered Planner to undertake a project to reduce the impact of skin cancer by influencing the inclusion of shade to reduce ultraviolet radiation (UV) overexposure issues in draft Local Strategic Planning Statements (LSPSs). Recent amendments to the NSW Environmental Planning & Assessment Act required all 128 NSW councils to produce a LSPS during this time period, and it was considered a prime and rare opportunity for the Institute to seek to include specific shade and UV issues ‘front and centre’ in NSW local planning policy.

The NSW Government intended that each council’s LSPS would outline a 20-year vision for land use in its local government area (LGA), and in doing so would set out the special characteristics which contribute to: local identity; the shared community values to be maintained and enhanced; and how growth and change will be managed into the future. Informed by the strategic and community planning work undertaken by councils, each LSPS was intended to be the key resource to understand how strategic and statutory land use plans would be implemented at the local level. A key aspect of each LSPS was the inclusion of a wide range of actions relating to future planning work.

The project also provided the Institute a key opportunity to encourage councils to consider shade, UV and skin cancer prevention opportunities in their land use planning, and more broadly to increase awareness of the need for planning professionals and local councils to include the consideration of healthy built environments in planning processes and documents.

Importantly, the project was also undertaken at a time of heightened NSW Government and local council awareness of the importance of urban tree canopy cover and a concerted effort to improve canopy cover across the state.

Project components The project’s components were:

• preparation of a methodology to determine which draft LSPSs to focus on

• preparation of detailed ‘tailored’ submissions to selected draft LSPSs and coordinating the Institute’s ‘generic’ submissions to the remainder of available draft LSPSs

• analysis of selected final LSPSs in relation to shade and UV issues and analysing the effectiveness of submissions

• development of a Local Government Plan for Shade Provision, comprising a database and associated documents and recording the inclusion of shade and UV protection issues in final LSPSs into the database

• review of a selected number of other NSW council planning policies relating to shade provision

• preparation of this report.

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Submissions made to LSPSs The Institute made 109 submissions to NSW councils regarding their draft LSPSs during 2109- 2020 (from a total number of 128 councils). Detailed tailored submissions, prepared by the consultant, were sent to 17 regional and 14 metropolitan councils. Less detailed generic submissions, prepared by the Institute staff, were sent to 67 regional and 11 metropolitan councils.

Effectiveness of submissions Of the 109 submissions made by the Institute to councils regarding their draft LSPSs, 74% (n=23) of the 31 tailored submissions resulted in a successful (or partially successful) outcome for shade & UV inclusion in the final LSPSs, and the 78 generic submissions resulted in 41% (n=32) being successful (or partially successful).

The Institute’s submissions resulted in 55 final LSPSs (at the time of writing) containing at least one reference to shade, and to a lesser extent, UV. Many councils included more substantial information relating to shade and UV. Significantly, there are now 13 metropolitan councils and 18 regional councils that have included some reference to shade in at least one action of their final LSPS.

Of the 81 submissions made to 95 regional LSPSs, 82% (n=10) of the 14 tailored submissions resulted in a successful (or partially successful) outcome for shade & UV inclusion in the final LSPSs, while 34% (n=23) of the 67 generic submissions resulted in a successful (or partially successful) outcome.

Of the 28 submissions made to 33 metropolitan LSPSs, 77% (n=13) of the 17 tailored submissions resulted in a successful (or partially successful) outcome for shade & UV inclusion in the final LSPSs, while 81% (n=9) of the 11 generic submissions resulted in a successful (or partially successful) outcome.

It should be noted that at the time of writing, there were still another 19 final LSPSs that had not been researched, meaning that these numbers could be significantly higher.

The effectiveness of the Institute’s submissions varied widely – from the inclusion of a whole Planning Priority and accompanying actions relating to shade and UV (Upper Hunter); to the inclusion of a number of actions throughout the LSPS (numerous Councils); through to the other end of the spectrum, where shade or UV was not mentioned in final LSPSs despite a detailed submission.

This report records in detail all the instances where shade and UV issues have been included in final LSPSs, presented by a range of topics, and also includes 15 case studies, documenting the details of successful shade and UV inclusion in 15 LSPSs across NSW.

Whether or not shade and UV issues were included in final LSPSs appeared largely unrelated to the amount of detail included in individual submissions made by the Institute, and unrelated to any other variables such as melanoma incidence or size and location of the council. It is assumed that other issues relating to each council’s process and preparation of its LSPS had more influence on the outcome than the ‘strength’ of each submission made by the Institute.

It should be noted that even where no changes were made to final LSPSs as a result of submissions, there were often other benefits made in broadening the awareness of shade and UV in a council.

Submissions made to LSPSs also encouraged councils to not only include information regarding shade and UV in their LSPSs, but also to refer the information in the submission to other

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sections of council where planning for shade would be relevant – e.g. to engineers involved in infrastructure provision, or to Parks and Recreation sections of council. There was evidence that many councils did do this, especially where they decided that specific details of shade planning would not be included in the LSPS.

Recommendations The report presents 18 recommendations relating to specific shade and UV aspects of NSW council land use planning arising from the findings of this report. Implementation of each of the recommendations would greatly increase the likelihood of shade related provisions in LSPSs being implemented by NSW local councils.

The recommendations are summarised in the table below and a priority is given to each to reflect its relative order of importance.

Priority No Summary of recommendation (1-3)

1 Follow up final LSPSs to add to final database and report 1

2 Follow up specific LSPS actions where shade has been identified 1

3 Follow up Development Control Plan preparation and ‘model’ DCP clauses 1

4 Follow up future council strategies/plans mentioned in LSPSs and/or 1 council reports

5 Seek the services of a planning professional to implement the 1 recommendations of the report

6 Leverage the focus on ‘the urban tree canopy’ and public open space 1

7 Leverage the focus on ‘heat mitigation’ 1

8 Leverage the focus on ‘quality urban design’ 1

9 Follow up UV as a natural hazard 2

10 Follow up preparation of UV and shade strategies and use of Guidelines 2 to Shade

11 Match data in this project with concurrent Shade Benchmarking Project 2

12 Continue to monitor urban tree canopy cover to inform council policy and 2 LSPS updates

13 Leverage the focus on climate change adaptation 2

14 Leverage the focus on sustainability 2

15 Engage with Joint Organisations of Councils 2

16 Engage with professional and industry associations 2

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17 Follow up previous council strategies and policies that have relevance to 3 shade

18 Follow up LSPS reviews in seven years 3

It is strongly recommended that an experienced planner is involved in the Institute’s execution of the recommendations of the report, based on the success of this planner-led project. The complexity and nuances of the NSW planning system, and of local government planning policy and practice, need to be firmly understood when following through and advocating to councils. There is otherwise a risk that well-intentioned suggestions from the Institute could be overlooked or brushed aside by council staff if they are not articulated in correct planning terms and framed as achievable.

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Project overview and framework

This project was commissioned by the Institute in 2019 and was prepared and implemented in 2019-2020 by Jan Fallding, a Registered Planner (Fellow) and Consultant Strategic & Social Impact Planner based in the Hunter Valley of NSW.

2.1. Objectives and focus of project The objectives of the project were to:

• build local government area (LGA) planners’ knowledge about the evidence for the benefits and requirements of built and natural shade for reduction of UV radiation exposure, in addition to the more well-known co-benefits of shade, including increased thermal comfort reduced build-up of heat in urban areas (the heat island effect), increased use of public spaces for physical activity and social connectivity, and environmental benefits

• increase healthy built environment and shade consideration and prioritisation in planning policy

• influence increased availability and access to shade for residents in public spaces, recreational areas and housing developments in LGAs to address inequities in access to shade and variations in melanoma incidence in NSW LGAs.

The focus of the project was to influence the inclusion of shade and UV exposure issues in draft LSPSs prepared in 2019-2020 by all 128 councils in NSW. LSPSs are explained in the following section.

As specified in the project brief:

“It is hoped that through the project, and particularly through the recommendations of this document, that the Institute will be able to make a positive impact on:

• the understanding by NSW local government staff of the importance of UV protection, especially in conjunction with other better-known co-benefits of shade

• improving the community’s equitable access to shade in public places

• facilitating well-designed shade by improved local planning policy in NSW, informed design and timely provision, supported by realistic local budgeting.”

2.2. Project scope The project comprised a number of components, which ran concurrently:

• preparing a Local Government Plan for Shade Provision (in a database format), including recording submissions made by the Institute to draft LSPSs, prioritising LGAs for engagement and analysing the final content of LSPSs in relation to shade and UV issues

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• preparing submissions on behalf of the Institute to an agreed number of draft LSPSs, being prepared and placed on public exhibition in 2019-2020 by NSW local councils

• reviewing a selected number of other NSW council planning policies on exhibition relating to shade provision, the scope of which was decided throughout the project

• preparing a final project report (this document), submitted concurrently with the final database mentioned above.

These components are described in more detail in the Methodology section.

2.3. Project context This project was initiated by the Institute because of the requirement for all NSW local councils to produce a LSPS during 2019-2020. The purpose of LSPSs and their legislative requirements are explained in the section below.

The preparation of the LSPSs provided the Institute a key opportunity to:

• encourage councils to consider shade, UV and skin cancer prevention opportunities in their land use planning, and more broadly to

• increase awareness of the need for planning professionals and local government to include the consideration of healthy built environments in planning processes and documents.

The project was also prepared in the context of the Institute’s responsibilities under the NSW Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy and its membership of the NSW Shade Working Group.

The project was also undertaken at a time of heightened NSW Government and local council awareness of the importance of urban tree canopy cover and a concerted effort to improve canopy cover across the state.

NSW Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy and the NSW Shade Working Group Goal 2 of the NSW Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy is “To improve access to adequate shade in NSW”. Under the objective “Continue to increase availability of adequate shade”, a relevant prioritised action is: "Work with NSW Government and local governments to ensure that shade principles are included in relevant planning documents and policies so it becomes an increased priority when upgrading outdoor spaces, with specific focus on priority settings and areas frequented by priority populations."

The Institute is a member of the NSW Shade Working Group (SWG), one of the Working Groups operating under the auspices of the NSW Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy Advisory Committee. The SWG had been anticipating the preparation of LSPSs and had seen the opportunity to make submissions to draft LSPSs relating to skin cancer prevention and shade.

The SWG produced a document aimed at councils titled Shade provision: Suggested text for inclusion in Local Strategic Planning Statements that had been available on the Institute website since late 2019 in the hope that councils would access this document while preparing their draft LSPSs. This document was referenced throughout the project.

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The NSW planning system and Local Strategic Planning Statements In March 2018, amendments to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) introduced new requirements for each council in NSW to prepare a LSPS for its local government area (LGA), precipitating the opportunity for the Institute to commence this project.

A full explanation of the legal context of LSPSs and the process by which they were produced is given in Annexure 1.

As explained in the LSPS Guideline for Councils (Department of Planning and Environment, 2018), the intention of each LSPS was that it would set out:

• the 20-year vision for land use in the local area • the special characteristics which contribute to local identity • shared community values to be maintained and enhanced • how growth and change will be managed into the future.

Informed by the strategic and community planning work undertaken by councils, the LSPSs were intended to be the key resource to understand how strategic and statutory land use plans would be implemented at the local level.

The key required components of the LSPS include: a) Context – the basis for strategic planning in the area, having regard to economic, social and environmental matters b) Planning priorities – the planning priorities for the area that are consistent with any strategic plan applying to the area and any Community Strategic Plan already prepared by council c) Actions – the actions required for achieving those planning priorities d) Implementation – the basis on which the council is to monitor and report on the implementation of those actions.

This project aimed to include the issue of shade and UV in all four required sections of the LSPS, but particularly within the actions.

During the development of the LSPSs:

• the Greater Sydney Commission (GSC) assisted councils in the Greater Sydney region with their LSPSs - https://www.greater.sydney/local-planning-assurance-tracker

• the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) supported regional councils with their technical or practical needs to different levels according to the councils’ size and expertise.

In both cases (metropolitan and regional), DPIE and/or the GSC had a significant role in informing the final content of the LSPS, although neither organisation had statutory authority in the EP&A Act to ‘approve’ the final content.

Each LSPS finalised by a council is listed on the DPIE Planning Portal at https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/publications/local-strategic-planning-statements

The full list of LSPSs produced in NSW is included in Annexure 2.

LSPS are required to have regard to the principles and actions of their respective Regional Plan (for regional councils) and District Plan (for metropolitan councils). An explanation of Regional and District Plans is given in Annexure 1, as is an explanation of the role of Joint Organisations of councils.

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During the preparation of LSPSs, metropolitan Councils were able to access datasets showing both an area and percentage of vegetation for city blocks and infrastructure corridors in the Sydney Greater Metropolitan Area as of 2016. The NSW Urban Vegetation Cover to Modified Mesh Block 2016 dataset, allows councils planners to estimate tree canopy and vegetation cover in urban areas at many scales, such as mesh block, precinct, or local government area. Having current and accurate estimates of tree canopy and vegetation like this supports citizens and governments to reliably identify areas of tree canopy and confidently develop urban greening and heat island mitigation strategies and action. https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/opendata/dataset/nsw-urban-vegetation-cover-to- modified-mesh-block-2016

Concurrent projects by the Institute relating to shade The Institute has partnered with the University of Queensland in 2020 and 2021 to research the availability and quality of shade in council and school playgrounds across NSW. Using a methodology developed by the University of Southern Queensland, the research will collect measurements of UV, heat and shade at playgrounds using virtual and onsite methods. Users’ perspectives about shade in their local or school playground will also be sought from the community, students and teachers. The project hopes to explore achievable and equitable targets for shade in playgrounds from the research and discussions with industry and built environment professionals.

The findings from this report, together with the ‘shade in playgrounds’ project described above together will help the Institute prioritise the development of relationships with LGAs where there is opportunity for action to increase shade.

Project target audience The target audience of this project are planners employed within NSW local government, and other relevant council staff and Councillors. The project aims to engage and inform them about the incidence of melanoma in their LGA, that the main cause of skin cancer is UV radiation and the importance of well-designed shade in protecting from UV radiation. The project has attempted to assist planners and local government staff to include the consideration of shade in planning policies, strategies and practices in their LGAs, while at the same time recognising that planners have many, often competing, issues to consider in such policies and practices. Such planning policies and practices are those covered by Parts 3 (Planning instruments) and 4 (Development assessment and consent) of the EP&A Act.

Other council staff, notably engineers, recreation and property staff, are usually responsible for the design and provision of infrastructure that is assessed under other parts of the EP&A Act, for example works in parks and public reserves (including playgrounds) under State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007 (SEPP I). These staff may also be responsible for issues that fall under the ambit of the Local Government Act 1993 (LG Act), such as activities on roads and footpaths, or policies made under the LG Act.

Although different messages and tools need to be designed for these different local government audiences, it is preferable that ultimately a whole-of-council approach to shade provision is fostered.

The role of Joint Organisations of Councils (JOs) in facilitating and disseminating shade messages and shade policy is also explored by the project (as described in Annexure 1), as is the role that other organisations could play, including other professional organisations and industry groups, for example Planning Institute Australia, Engineers Australia, Urban Development Industry Association, although they are not the immediate target of this project.

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Methodology

3.1. Introduction An overview of this project’s components is in the Project scope. Each of these components is described in more detail below, being:

• preparation of a methodology to determine which draft LSPSs to focus on • preparation of detailed tailored submissions to draft LSPSs and coordinating the Institute’s generic submissions to the remainder of available draft LSPSs • analysis of selected final LSPSs in relation to shade and UV issues and analysing the effectiveness of submissions • development of a Local Government Plan for Shade Provision, comprising a database and associated documents and recording the inclusion of shade and UV protection issues in final LSPSs into the database • review of a selected number of other NSW council planning policies relating to shade provision • preparation of this report.

Accompanying database & associated documents A key component of the project was to prepare a database and associated documentation for the project, titled a Local Government Plan for Shade Provision. This Plan comprises:

• an Excel database, comprised of several worksheets, which is provided in conjunction with this report • various Word documents, being this Report and the detailed Annexures to this report • letters sent by the Institute to NSW councils, as filed at the Institute.

The purpose of the database of the Local Government Plan for Shade Provision was to:

• provide a methodology and record of which to prioritise and engage with LGAs • track engagement and communication with LGAs throughout the project • record LGA contacts, LSPS and other document details • record all instances where shade has been included in final LSPSs.

The database comprises several sheets. The most important are the worksheets titled ‘Master list of LSPS Metro(politan)’ and ‘Master list of LSPS Regional’. They both contain a number of columns, with a row given to each local government area. Each column is explained in the following sections. Note that the column order in the Metropolitan and Regional worksheets differs. The columns cover a range of variables for each LGA, including details of the draft LSPS and its exhibition dates and council contacts, melanoma incidence, LHD details, results of a brief word search related to shade, details of how and when a submission was made by the Institute and an analysis of the outcomes of the submission (reviewed after the final LSPS was made). A complete list and description of the columns is given in Annexure 2.

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3.2.Preparation of submissions to draft LSPSs

Overview One of the key tasks of this project was that the Institute, as an agency with a statewide remit, make submissions to as many NSW councils’ draft LSPSs as possible that were placed on exhibition during the project timeframe.

During the project, 25 submissions were made to metropolitan councils, and 84 to regional councils, out of a total of 128 NSW councils.

A key part of the project was to allocate significant consultant time in preparing detailed ‘tailored’ submissions to a selected number of LSPSs, based on considerations as explained in the sections below. Key considerations were the LSPS exhibition timeframes coinciding with the consultant commencing the project for metropolitan LGAs, the timing of regional LSPS exhibitions and making an informed selection of regional LGAs, as further explained below.

The benefit of the consultant preparing tailored submissions was that as a Registered Planner (Planning Institute of Australia) with extensive experience in NSW local government strategic planning, the consultant was able to efficiently and effectively appraise each LSPS and then include specific planning suggestions in the Institute’s submission, knowing that the main reader of the submission would be another planner.

Metropolitan LSPSs There are 33 councils (LGAs) within the Sydney metropolitan area – which, for the purposes of this project, is defined by the area covered by the Greater Sydney Commission (GSC), who had oversight of the preparation of each metropolitan LSPS.

The commencement date of the project (September 2019) determined the number of detailed tailored submissions that could be made by the consultant to metropolitan draft LSPSs. The GSC provided publicly available information (‘Local Planning Assurance Tracker’ - https://www.greater.sydney/local-planning-assurance-tracker) which included the exhibition dates of draft LSPSs, ensuring that upcoming submission dates were easy to ascertain.

Table 1 below shows the 17 tailored submissions to draft LSPSs that were made by the Institute’s consultant, Table 2 shows the generic submissions made by the Institute staff and Table 3 shows where no submission was made. Annexure 3 lists all LGAs and the type of submission made.

Table 1: Metropolitan LSPSs - Tailored submissions made by the Institute’s planning consultant Melanoma of skin: Age standardised Date of submission Council incidence rate 2012-2016 to draft LSPS

Blacktown City Council 33.6 10/10/2019

City of Sydney Council 38.9 10/10/2019

Hornsby Shire Council 48.1 15/10/2019

Lane Cove Council 65.3 16/10/2019

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Melanoma of skin: Age standardised Date of submission Council incidence rate 2012-2016 to draft LSPS

Sutherland Shire Council 81.2 22/10/2019

Hunter's Hill Council 53.7 25/10/2019

Inner West Council 34.6 29/10/2019

Randwick City Council 44.6 29/10/2019

Wollondilly Shire Council 62.9 31/10/2019

City of Parramatta Council 32.5 8/11/2019

Northern Beaches Council 66.1 8/11/2019

Strathfield Council 17.0 8/11/2019

Woollahra Municipal Council 58.1 8/11/2019

Penrith City Council 38.8 11/11/2019

Hawkesbury City Council 61.4 12/11/2019

Blue Mountains City Council 48.9 14/11/2019

Canterbury-Bankstown Council 24.1 15/11/2020

Source: Annual NSW cancer incidence data 2016. NSW Cancer Registry. Accessed June 2020 via: www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/research-and-data/cancer-data-and-statistics/cancer-statistics-nsw (Note:NSW rate = 51.7)

Prior to the project commencing, the Institute had already made submissions to the following metropolitan draft LSPSs. These submissions contained generic text, with some merge fields highlighting LGA-specific information such as melanoma incidence. Some also commented on specific actions relating to shade in the relevant draft LSPS.

Table 2: Metropolitan LSPSs - Submissions made by the Institute before commencement of the project Melanoma of skin: Age standardised Date of submission Council incidence rate 2012-2016 to draft LSPS

Georges River Council 32.9 7/8/2019

Mosman Municipal Council 79.6 7/8/2019

Liverpool City Council 25.2 9/8/2019

The Hills Shire Council 46.8 9/8/2019

City of Ryde Council 34.6 12/8/2019

Ku-ring-gai Council 56.5 12/8/2019

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Melanoma of skin: Age standardised Date of submission Council incidence rate 2012-2016 to draft LSPS

North Sydney Council 61.7 15/8/2019

Waverley Council 58.3 15/8/2019

Fairfield City Council 14.0 23/8/2019

Cumberland Council 20.9 29/8/2019

Burwood Council 14.1 16/9/2019

Bayside Council 24 (Prev Rockdale LGA) 27/9/2019

Willoughby City Council 41.0 27/9/2019

Source: Annual NSW cancer incidence data 2016. NSW Cancer Registry. Accessed June 2020 via: www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/research-and-data/cancer-data-and-statistics/cancer-statistics-nsw (Note:NSW rate = 51.7)

There were some metropolitan LSPSs where a submission was not made by the Institute – these were on public exhibition before the project started, and before the Institute was aware of draft LSPSs being on public exhibition.

Table 3: Metropolitan LSPSs where no submission was made by the Institute Melanoma of skin: Age standardised Council incidence rate 2012-2016

Campbelltown City Council 39

City of Canada Bay Council 37.6

Camden Council 54.7

Source: Annual NSW cancer incidence data 2016. NSW Cancer Registry. Accessed June 2020 via: www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/research-and-data/cancer-data-and-statistics/cancer-statistics-nsw (Note:NSW rate = 51.7)

Regional LSPSs There are 95 councils/LGAs in NSW outside the Greater Sydney Commission area, which for the purposes of the project were termed ‘regional’.

Timeframes At the commencement of the project, it was the expectation of the NSW Government that regional LGAs would have their LSPSs finalised by July 1, 2020. However, it became obvious during the project that in practice, this was not going to be achieved by many councils. Some councils had already advised that their draft LSPSs would not even be on exhibition by that date, let alone finalised. The 2019/2020 extreme bushfires, and COVID-19 shutdowns also impacted on councils’ ability to prepare their draft LSPSs and public exhibition periods.

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Unlike their metropolitan counterparts with the Greater Sydney Commission, regional councils had no formal framework within the NSW government by which to prepare and complete their LSPSs, and because of this, there was no centralised publicly available information as to when draft LSPSs were likely to be on exhibition. This added additional unexpected time to the project in trawling council websites and contacting individual councils to ascertain likely exhibition (and therefore submission) dates.

During the latter part of the project, the Institute became a member of DPIE’s Regional LSPS Project Control Group, and weekly updates were then received from DPIE as to draft LSPSs that had been placed on exhibition. The Institute also liaised with the NSW Ministry of Health who coordinated NSW Health input into regional council LSPSs and there was an agreement for the Institute to provide submissions directly to regional councils during the LSPS exhibition periods.

As it became obvious in early 2020 that many regional councils were not going to have their draft LSPSs on exhibition for some time, the Institute sent an advance letter to selected councils, which were similar in content to the generic submissions discussed below. The intent of this was to alert councils to shade issues in the hope that they may include them in their forthcoming LSPSs. The 28 regional councils that this letter was sent to are:

• Albury City Council • Armidale Regional Council • Balranald Shire Council • Bathurst Regional Council • Berrigan Shire Council • Cabonne Shire Council • Central Coast Council • Cootamundra-Gundagai Shire Council • Cowra Shire Council • Dubbo Regional Council • Eurobodalla Shire Council • Gilgandra Shire Council • Goulburn-Mulwaree Council • Griffith City Council • Hay Shire Council • Junee Shire Council • Maitland City Council • Mid-Western Regional Council • MidCoast Council • Muswellbrook Shire Council • Narrandera Shire Council • Oberon Council • Orange City Council • Parkes Shire Council • Port Macquarie-Hastings • Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council • Walgett Shire Council • Wollongong City Council

Rationale for choice of ‘tailored’ regional LSPS submissions The terms of the project were that the planning consultant would prepare approximately 15 tailored submissions to regional draft LSPSs. Therefore, a methodology was set to prioritise that list. In making this decision, the following issues were taken into account:

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• population size (as discussed below) • melanoma incidence (as discussed below) • a variety of locations across the state (as discussed below) • DPIE region: there are four regions outside the Sydney metro area: https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Plans-for-your-area/Local-Planning-and- Zoning/Regional-offices-overview • LHDs – there are nine LHDs outside the Sydney metropolitan area • likely date of draft LSPS exhibition – the submission date had to be within the project timeframe.

Three other issues were initially considered in making the priority list of regional submissions (equity in access to shade, existing tree canopy cover and community sun protection behaviours) but were dismissed from the methodology, as further discussed below.

Population size and location The following are the 5 largest regional LGAs in NSW, and were prioritised for their sheer size alone:

• Central Coast Council 327,736

• Wollongong City Council 203,630

• Lake Macquarie City Council 197,371

• Newcastle City Council 155,411

• Shoalhaven City Council 99,650

Source: ABS Quickstats 2016 Census information

It was then appropriate to target a range of other LGAs, across a spread of population sizes. Each of the LGAs should also contain an urban settlement (town or city) where shade provision will be relevant to most of the population (as opposed to a sparsely populated rural area).

Melanoma incidence The top 16 LGAs in NSW by melanoma incidence (age standardised rate 2011-2015) showed that 12 were on the mid and far north coast of NSW, and only one in the Sydney metropolitan area:

1. Byron LGA 2. Kyogle LGA 3. Ballina LGA 4. Tweed LGA 5. Clarence Valley LGA 6. Lismore LGA 7. Coffs Harbour LGA 8. Richmond Valley LGA 9. Sutherland Shire LGA (Sydney) 10. Nambucca LGA 11. Bega Valley LGA 12. Port Macquarie-Hastings LGA 13. Port Stephens LGA 14. Central Darling LGA 15. Mid-Coast LGA 16. Kempsey LGA

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Source: Annual NSW cancer incidence data 2011-2015. NSW Cancer Registry. Accessed November 2019 via: www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/research-and-data/cancer-data-and-statistics/cancer-statistics-nsw

Focusing exclusively on these areas of higher incidence would have meant that most tailored LSPS submissions would have been made to LGAs on the mid to North Coast, at the expense of the remainder of regional NSW that would potentially benefit from submissions regarding planning provisions for shade.

Other considerations Three other key issues were considered in choosing the list of LGAs for tailored submissions but were ultimately not used in the final choice of LGAs, as discussed below.

Equity in shade access or provision: Initially, Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA indexes) of each LGA were thought to be a useful variable, especially to consider equity in the community being able to access shade. However, the methodology of reliably linking SEIFA scores of LGAs with likely access to shade by people in those communities was considered too tenuous. Access to shade depends on too many very localised factors, including distances from individual houses to useable and shady open space, the frequency of use of public spaces etc., and cannot be tied to a ‘standard’ SEIFA index for an entire LGA. However, the Institute could at some later stage add the SEIFA index to the project database and analyse the results.

Existing tree canopy cover: The extent of existing tree canopy cover in urban areas was floated as a consideration. However, it was evident that canopy cover was only available for the Sydney Metropolitan area, as shown at NSW Urban Vegetation Cover to Modified Mesh Block 2016. NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. Open source data available via: https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/opendata/dataset/2b0dd699-9c23- 40eb-b70f-1bcfdbc3f34a

Sun protection behaviours: Sun protection behaviours by the NSW community (including use of sunscreen, seeking shade etc) were published by the Institute in 2018 (Sun protection behaviours in NSW, 2017. Cancer Institute NSW. Available via:https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/about-cancer/document-library/sun-protection- behaviours-in-nsw-2017). It was decided not to add this information to the project database and to use it to inform the choice of LGAs to be targeted with tailored submissions as the data was only published at Local Health District level.

Choice of tailored submissions It was therefore determined that the priority regional LSPSs to receive a tailored submission be a geographical spread of LGAs across the state, determined by population size and location, DPIE region and LHD, and informed by melanoma incidence and likely draft LSPS exhibition dates. The final 14 councils selected for submissions are given below.

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Table 4: Regional LSPSs – tailored submissions made by the Institute’s planning consultant Melanoma of skin: Age standardised Population: incidence 2016 rate 2012- Council Census * 2016** Local Health District

Bathurst Regional Council 41,300 54.4 Western NSW

Bega Valley Shire Council 33,253 72.6 Southern NSW

Central Coast Council 327,736 68.6 Central Coast

Cessnock City Council 55,560 48.6 Hunter New England

Coffs Harbour City Council 72,944 82.1 Mid North Coast

Dubbo Regional Council 50,077 45.5 Western NSW (Western Plains Regional)

Kyogle Council 8,940 101 Northern NSW

Maitland City Council 77,305 68.2 Hunter New England

MidCoast Council 90,303 73.7 Hunter New England

Newcastle City Council 155,411 62.6 Hunter New England

Shoalhaven City Council 99,650 59.1 Illawarra Shoalhaven

Tamworth Regional Council 59,663 68.5 Hunter New England

Tweed Shire Council 91,371 91.4 Northern NSW

Wollongong City Council 203,630 53.3 Illawarra Shoalhaven

Sources: * ABS Quickstats ** Source: Annual NSW cancer incidence data 2016. NSW Cancer Registry. Accessed June 2020 via: www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/research-and-data/cancer-data-and-statistics/cancer-statistics-nsw (Note:NSW rate = 51.7)

Where possible, the Institute staff wrote and submitted a generic submission regarding the draft LSPS to the remaining regional councils. These were similar to the generic submissions made to some metropolitan LSPSs (as discussed above). They contained standard text, with some merge fields highlighting LGA-specific information such as melanoma incidence. This submission is attached at Annexure 5.

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Table 5: Regional LSPSs - generic submissions made by the Institute staff Melanoma of skin: Age standardised Council incidence rate 2012-2016 Local Health District

Albury City Council 46.3 Murrumbidgee

Armidale Regional Council 58.4 Hunter New England

Ballina Shire Council 101.9 Northern NSW

Bellingen Shire Council 84.1 Mid North Coast

Berrigan Shire Council 56.6 Murrumbidgee

Bland Shire Council 51.8 Murrumbidgee

Brewarrina Shire Council 60.5 Western NSW

Broken Hill City Council 49.9 Far West

Byron Shire Council 110.7 Northern NSW

Cabonne Shire Council 59.3 Western NSW

Carrathool Shire Council 42.2 Murrumbidgee

Central Darling Shire 67.3 Far West Council

Clarence Valley Council 95 Northern NSW

Cobar Shire Council 52.6 Western NSW

Cootamundra-Gundagai 47.2 (Gundagai) Murrumbidgee Shire Council

Cowra Shire Council 68.9 Western NSW

Dungog Shire Council 64.7 Hunter New England

Eurobodalla Shire Council 62.3 Southern NSW

Federation Council 67.9 Murrumbidgee

Forbes Shire Council 46.4 Western NSW

Gilgandra Shire Council 43.6 Western NSW

Glen Innes Severn 54.9 Hunter New England Council

Goulburn-Mulwaree 50.9 Southern NSW Council

Griffith City Council 37.8 Murrumbidgee

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Melanoma of skin: Age standardised Council incidence rate 2012-2016 Local Health District

Gunnedah Shire Council 57.8 Hunter New England

Gwydir Shire Council 59.3 Hunter New England

Hay Shire Council 18.1 Murrumbidgee

Hilltops Council 62.6 Murrumbidgee

Inverell Shire Council 65.4 Hunter New England

Junee Shire Council 70.8 Murrumbidgee

Kempsey Shire Council 75.8 Mid North Coast

Kiama Municipal Council 70.9 Illawarra Shoalhaven

Lachlan Shire Council 41.1 Western NSW

Lake Macquarie City 71.5 Hunter New England Council

Leeton Shire Council 54.4 Murrumbidgee

Lithgow City Council 54.1 Nepean Blue Mountains

Liverpool Plains Shire 52.3 Hunter New England Council

Lockhart Shire Council 71.1 Southern NSW

Mid-Western Regional 44.3 Western NSW Council

Moree Plains Shire 46.4 Hunter New England Council

Murray River Council 57.5 Murrumbidgee

Murrumbidgee Council 63.2 Murrumbidgee

Muswellbrook Shire 61.2 Hunter New England Council

Nambucca Valley Council 79.5 Mid North Coast

Narrandera Shire Council 61.9 Murrumbidgee

Narromine Shire Council 44.4 Western NSW

Oberon Council 42.3 Western NSW

Orange City Council 57.4 Western NSW

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Melanoma of skin: Age standardised Council incidence rate 2012-2016 Local Health District

Parkes Shire Council 58.8 Western NSW

Port Macquarie-Hastings 70.4 Mid North Coast

Port Stephens Council 72.3 Hunter New England

Queanbeyan-Palerang 40.6 Southern NSW Regional Council

Richmond Valley Council 79.5 Northern NSW

Shellharbour City Council 56.6 Illawarra Shoalhaven

Singleton Council 56.9 Hunter New England

Snowy Monaro Regional 52 Southern NSW Council

Snowy Valleys Council 55.9 Murrumbidgee

Temora Shire Council 39.5 Murrumbidgee

Tenterfield Shire Council 66.6 Hunter New England

Upper Hunter Shire 49.7 Hunter New England Council

Upper Lachlan Shire 45 Southern NSW Council

Uralla Shire Council 61.7 Hunter New England

Wagga Wagga City 54.5 Murrumbidgee Council

Walgett Shire Council 52.7 Western NSW

Warren Shire Council 67.9 Western NSW

Weddin Shire Council 48.5 Western NSW

Wingecarribee Shire 59.8 South Western Sydney Council

Source: Annual NSW cancer incidence data 2016. NSW Cancer Registry. Accessed June 2020 via: www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/research-and-data/cancer-data-and-statistics/cancer-statistics-nsw (Note:NSW rate = 51.7)

There were 14 regional LSPSs where a formal submission was not made by the Institute. These were LSPSs that had been completed before the project commenced, or LSPSs where their exhibition dates were missed.

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Table 6: Regional LSPSs where no submission was made by the Institute Melanoma of skin: Age standardised Council incidence rate 2012-2016

Balranald Shire Council 53.5

Blayney Shire Council 44.5

Bogan Shire Council 63.7

Bourke Shire Council 43.6

Coolamon Shire Council 59.4

Coonamble Shire Council 28.8

Edward River Council 60.5

Greater Hume Shire Council 65.6

Lismore City Council 82.8

Narrabri Shire Council 53.4

Walcha Council 47.4

Warrumbungle Shire Council 51.5

Wentworth Shire Council 37.8

Yass Valley Council 68.9

Source: Annual NSW cancer incidence data 2016. NSW Cancer Registry. Accessed June 2020: www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/research-and-data/cancer-data-and-statistics/cancer-statistics-nsw (Note:NSW rate = 51.7)

Preparation of submissions to LSPSs As explained above, there were two types of submissions made by the Institute during the course of this project:

• a tailored submission prepared by the project strategic planning consultant (and author of this report), which was then checked, signed and submitted by the Institute staff; and

• a generic submission prepared and submitted by the Institute staff with no further consultant input.

Before the project began, there were also a small number of submissions made by Institute staff to some metropolitan LSPSs, which mostly contained generic text, but also addressed some specific aspects of the relevant LSPSs

All submissions:

1. provided the LGA’s age standardised melanoma rate 2. outlined the importance of well-designed shade for the prevention of skin cancer 3. explained the role of local policy in shade provision and skin cancer protection

24 | Shade and UV inclusion in NSW local government planning policy

4. provided further information and contacts to assist councils in planning for good quality shade.

The generic submissions made suggestions for shade and UV inclusion in LSPSs by making reference to the detail in the NSW Shade Working Group’s Suggested text for inclusion in Local Strategic Planning Statements (as shown in Annexure 7). This included information regarding:

• why shade (both natural and built) is important

• the co-benefits of well-designed shade and green spaces

• what is well-designed shade?

• detailed LSPS actions relating to review of DCPs, consideration of shade in specific types of development applications and public infrastructure assessment, and commitment to shade provision in Council projects and infrastructure provision.

The tailored submissions offered specific comments and suggestions relating to shade and UV in the draft LSPS. This aspect constituted the bulk of each detailed submission, and was presented in a clear table format to deliberately make it easy for council planning staff to reference the relevant part of the LSPS, and to understand clearly how shade issues mentioned in the LSPS could be implemented. The tailored submissions also made reference to the NSW Shade Working Group’s Suggested text for inclusion in Local Strategic Planning Statements discussed above.

The following key documents were also referenced in all submissions, and hyperlinks given for ease of access by council staff:

• Shade: A planning and design priority that prevents skin cancer – an explanatory 2 page document prepared by the NSW Shade Working Group within the auspices of the NSW Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy, led by Cancer Institute NSW – either the mid 2019 or 12/2019 version was attached to the submissions. Available at https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/prevention-and-screening/preventing-cancer/preventing- skin-cancer/reduce-your-skin-cancer-risk/shade-and-uv-protection and https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/getmedia/be5ca26a-3755-4487-a698-fa843cfaf023/WR- MR0010096-A4-ShadePlanning-CI-0002-01-20.pdf

• Guidelines to Shade – A practical guide for shade development in New South Wales. Cancer Council NSW 2013. Available at: https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/getmedia/4c923ae3- ade5-45b2-9d3c-55009baa2b53/Guidelines-to-shade-WEB2.pdf

Further detailed references regarding shade, skin cancer and UV exposure were also given at the end of each submission.

It should be noted that the time allocated by the consultant to the monitoring of upcoming exhibition dates and preparation of tailored and generic submissions to regional LSPSs far exceeded the initial expectations of the project. This was primarily because there was no centralised public system of tracking exhibition times and finalisation of regional LSPSs. Each had to be checked via each council’s website. The sheer number of regional LGAs also added to the time budget, especially when it became evident that a significant number were responding positively to the Institute’s submissions and therefore research on the final LSPSs was required to capture the impact of this project.

Cancer Institute NSW | 25

Personal contact with council staff Although the Institute staff undertook all administrative duties associated with making submissions and receiving correspondence from councils, the consultant made contact with council staff if planning issues or exhibition dates needed to be clarified during the project. Each submission also invited councils to contact the Institute if any detailed information was required, and offered the assistance of the consultant if need be. Such contacts are recorded in the accompanying project database.

3.3. Analysis of shade and UV protection issues in final LSPSs and analysis of the effectiveness of submissions After each LSPSs was finalised, it was published on the NSW Planning Portal at https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/publications/local-strategic-planning-statements.

Each LSPS was accessed by the consultant via the Portal and a search of text made for the following words:

• shade/shading

• UV/ultraviolet/radiation/exposure

• cancer.

Where any of these were found, the related text was copied into the database or the consultant’s detailed notes. Selected text was also copied into this report. Where relevant, an assessment was made as to whether the inclusion was the direct result of a submission by the Institute and/or Cancer Council NSW (who also made generic submissions to most, but not all, draft LSPSs).

3.4.Review of other NSW council planning policy and procedures relating to shade provision During the course of the project, the consultant identified various other planning and design documents that were placed on public exhibition by councils that were appropriate to the consideration of shade planning and design. These were usually brought to the consultant’s attention by their mention in the public exhibition pages of the draft LSPS. The consultant and the Institute assessed the relative importance of each of these and made a decision to respond to three documents, as reported later in this report.

3.5.Preparation of final report This report was prepared during the analysis of the final LSPSs, and intended as a summary of the project, its impact and future recommendations.

26 | Shade and UV inclusion in NSW local government planning policy

3.6.Limitations of methodology As mentioned previously, not all LSPSs were investigated by this project. This project began after the public exhibition of some metropolitan draft LSPSs, and concluded before all regional LSPSs were finalised.

This project focused on the specific issue of shade, both natural and built. Although closely related issues such as trees, vegetation, green infrastructure, urban tree canopy and urban tree strategies were mentioned in many LSPSs, this project did not aim to record each of these. Hence there may be additional LSPSs that will ultimately contribute to the provision of shade without specifically mentioning it as an issue.

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Influencing the inclusion of shade in Local Strategic Planning Statements

4.1.Introduction As described in the previous section, the Institute made submissions regarding draft LSPSs to 28 metropolitan and 81 regional councils during 2019–2020. Of these, 17 submissions to metropolitan councils and 14 to regional councils were detailed, tailored submissions made by the Institute’s planning consultant, while the remainder were generic submissions, also regarding the importance of shade, although less detailed. In addition, 28 advance letters, similar to the generic submissions, were sent to selected councils who were preparing their draft LSPSs in early 2020.

This section reports on how shade and UV issues were incorporated into final LSPSs, and whether or not this inclusion appeared to be influenced by the submissions and advance letters made by the Institute.

Note also that Cancer Council NSW, as a fellow member of the SWG, made submissions to numerous draft LSPSs on the same topic.

Various NSW LHDs also made submissions to draft LSPSs, and often included the issue of shade in their submission. For this purpose, the Institute shared the NSW Shade Working Group’s document Shade provision: Suggested text for inclusion in Local Strategic Planning Statements (as shown in Annexure 7) with NSW LHDs from 29 July 2019 who were part of the Healthy Built Environment Network facilitated by the Centre for Population Health Ministry of Health. In addition, the Institute sent some LHDs the Institute’s draft submission to selected LSPSs ahead of the submission due date, and some LHDs provided feedback on these drafts.

4.2.Inclusion of shade and UV in LSPSs – how effective were the submissions? The effectiveness of the Institute’s submissions and correspondence varied widely – from the inclusion of a whole Planning Priority and accompanying actions relating to shade and UV (Upper Hunter Council, as shown later in the Case Studies); the inclusion of a number of actions throughout the LSPS (numerous Councils), through to the other end of the spectrum, where shade or UV was not mentioned in final LSPSs.

The later section showing case studies, and the numerous tables elsewhere in this section, illustrate the widespread success of the project.

In summary:

• Of the 109 submissions made (from a total of 128 LSPSs):

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- 74% (n=23) of the 31 tailored submissions resulted in a successful (or partially successful) outcome for shade & UV inclusion in the final LSPSs - 41% (n=32) of the 78 generic submissions resulted in a successful (or partially successful) outcome for shade & UV inclusion in the final LSPSs.

• Of the 81 submissions made to 95 regional LSPSs:

- 82% (n=10) of the 14 tailored submissions resulted in a successful (or partially successful) outcome for shade & UV inclusion in the final LSPSs - 34% (n=23) of the 67 generic submissions resulted in a successful (or partially successful) outcome for shade & UV inclusion in the final LSPSs.

(Note that the level of success of 19 regional LSPSs was unknown at the time of writing.)

• Of the 28 submissions made to 33 metropolitan LSPSs:

- 77% (n=13) of the 17 tailored submissions resulted in a successful (or partially successful) outcome for shade & UV inclusion in the final LSPSs - 81% (n=9) of the 11 generic submissions resulted in a successful (or partially successful) outcome for shade & UV inclusion in the final LSPSs.

Whether or not shade and UV issues were included in final LSPSs appeared unrelated to the amount of detail included in individual submissions made by the Institute, and unrelated to any other variables such as melanoma incidence or size and location of the council. It was difficult to find any pattern between the level of success of submissions and any variable.

It is assumed that other factors regarding the LSPS preparation process influenced councils’ decisions as to whether or not shade would be added to final LSPSs – for example:

• the structure and content of the initial draft LSPS

• the planning focus of each LSPS

• the number and complexity of submissions received by the council

• the planning priorities already being pursued by councils

• whether or not individual planners were ‘receptive’ to additional issues being added to the LSPS, or even their willingness to make small editorial changes.

It should be noted that even where no changes were made to final LSPSs as a result of submissions, there were often other benefits made in broadening the awareness of shade and UV in a council, as outlined in later sections of this report.

The tables following summarise the levels of success of submissions, based on whether shade and UV issues were added to the final LSPS, or recognised some other way in the process of council finalising its LSPS. The tables show the results for metropolitan and regional councils separately.

Cancer Institute NSW | 29

Table 7: Summary of success of submissions made to metropolitan councils Proportion of Level of success and type of submission No. of submissions submissions

Total no. tailored submissions 17 61% of all metro submissions

Total no. generic submissions 11 39% of all metro submissions

Submissions that resulted in a successful outcome for shade & UV inclusion in metropolitan LSPSs

Tailored 11 65% of tailored submissions

Generic 5 45% of generic submissions

Total 16 48% of all metro LGAs

Submissions that resulted in a partly successful outcome for shade & UV inclusion in metropolitan LSPSs

Tailored 2 12% of tailored submissions

Generic 4 36% of generic submissions

Total 6 18% of all metro LGAs

Submissions that resulted in no success for shade & UV inclusion in metropolitan LSPSs

Tailored 3 18% of tailored submissions

Generic 2 18% of generic submissions

Total 5 15% of all metro LGAs

Submission not made 5 15% of all metro LGAs

Outcome unknown at time of writing 1 3% of all metro LGAs

Total number of metropolitan 33 councils

Table 8: Summary of success of submissions made to regional councils Level of success and type of submission No. of submissions Proportion of submissions

Submissions that resulted in a successful outcome for shade & UV inclusion in regional LSPSs

Tailored 6 43% of tailored submissions

Generic 19 28% of generic submissions

30 | Shade and UV inclusion in NSW local government planning policy

Level of success and type of submission No. of submissions Proportion of submissions

Total 25 26% of all regional LGAs

Submissions that resulted in a partly successful outcome for shade & UV inclusion in regional LSPSs

Tailored 4 29% of tailored submissions

Generic 4 6% of generic submissions

Total 8 8% of all regional LGAs

Submissions that resulted in no success for shade & UV inclusion in regional LSPSs

Tailored 4 29% of tailored submissions

Generic 25 37% of generic submissions

Total 29 31% of all regional LGAs

Submission not made 14 15% of all regional LGAs

Outcome unknown at time of 19 20% of all regional LGAs writing

Total number of regional 95 councils

The following tables show the full list of councils and the level of success made with the submissions to each draft LSPS.

Table 9: Metropolitan councils: level of success of submissions to LSPSs Success with Type of Melanoma Local Health Council submission? submission incidence* District

Bayside Council Yes Generic 24 South Eastern (Rockdale Sydney LGA)

Blacktown City Council Yes Tailored 33.6 Western Sydney

Blue Mountains City Yes Tailored 48.9 Nepean Blue Council Mountains

Burwood Council Yes Generic 14.1 Sydney

Georges River Council Yes Generic 32.9 South Eastern Sydney

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Success with Type of Melanoma Local Health Council submission? submission incidence* District

Hornsby Shire Council Yes Tailored 48.1 Northern Sydney

Hunter's Hill Council Yes Tailored 53.7 Northern Sydney

Inner West Council Yes Tailored 34.6 Sydney

Ku-ring-gai Council Yes Generic 56.5 Northern Sydney

Northern Beaches Council Yes Tailored 66.1 Northern Sydney

Penrith City Council Yes Tailored 38.8 Nepean Blue Mountains

Randwick City Council Yes Tailored 44.6 South Eastern Sydney

Strathfield Council Yes Tailored 17 Sydney

Waverley Council Yes Generic 58.3 South Eastern Sydney

Wollondilly Shire Council Yes Tailored 62.9 South Western Sydney

Woollahra Municipal Yes Tailored 58.1 South Eastern Council Sydney

City of Parramatta Limited Tailored 32.5 Western Sydney Council and Northern Sydney

Fairfield City Council Limited Generic 14 South Western Sydney

Lane Cove Council Limited Tailored 65.3 Northern Sydney

Mosman Municipal Limited Generic 79.6 Northern Sydney Council

The Hills Shire Council Limited Generic 46.8 Western Sydney

Willoughby City Council Limited Generic 41 Northern Sydney

Canterbury-Bankstown No Tailored 24.1 South Western Council Sydney and Sydney

City of Sydney Council No Tailored 38.9 Sydney and South Eastern Sydney

Cumberland Council No Generic 20.9 Western Sydney

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Success with Type of Melanoma Local Health Council submission? submission incidence* District

Liverpool City Council No Generic 25.2 South Western Sydney

Sutherland Shire Council No Tailored 81.2 South Eastern Sydney

Hawkesbury City Council Unknown at Tailored 61.4 Nepean Blue time of Mountains writing (final LSPS not published)

Camden Council Submission None 54.7 South Western not made made Sydney

Campbelltown City Submission None 39 South Western Council not made made Sydney

City of Canada Bay Submission None 37.6 Sydney Council not made made

City of Ryde Council Submission None 34.6 Northern Sydney not made made

North Sydney Council Submission None 61.7 Northern Sydney not made made

* Annual NSW cancer incidence data 2016. NSW Cancer Registry. Accessed June 2020 via: www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/research-and-data/cancer-data-and-statistics/cancer-statistics-nsw (Note:NSW rate = 51.7)

Table 10: Regional councils: level of success of submissions to LSPSs Success with Type of Melanoma Council submission submission incidence * Local Health District

Albury City Council Yes Generic 46.3 Murrumbidgee

Bathurst Regional Yes Tailored 54.4 Western NSW Council

Bega Valley Shire Yes Tailored 72.6 Southern NSW Council

Bland Shire Council Yes Generic 51.8 Murrumbidgee

Cootamundra- Yes Generic 47.2 Murrumbidgee Gundagai Shire Council (Gundagai)

Cowra Shire Council Yes Generic 68.9 Western NSW

Cancer Institute NSW | 33

Success with Type of Melanoma Council submission submission incidence * Local Health District

Dungog Shire Council Yes Generic 64.7 Hunter New England

Gunnedah Shire Yes Generic 57.8 Hunter New England Council

Hilltops Council Yes Generic 62.6 Murrumbidgee

Liverpool Plains Shire Yes Generic 52.3 Hunter New England Council

Maitland City Council Yes Tailored 68.2 Hunter New England

Moree Plains Shire Yes Generic 46.4 Hunter New England Council

Murray River Council Yes Generic 57.5 Murrumbidgee

Muswellbrook Shire Yes Generic 61.2 Hunter New England Council

Nambucca Valley Yes Generic 79.5 Mid North Coast Council

Narromine Shire Yes Generic 44.4 Western NSW Council

Newcastle City Council Yes Tailored 62.6 Hunter New England

Orange City Council Yes Generic 57.4 Western NSW

Queanbeyan-Palerang Yes Generic 40.6 Southern NSW Regional Council

Richmond Valley Yes Generic 79.5 Northern NSW Council

Shoalhaven City Yes Tailored 59.1 Illawarra Council Shoalhaven

Snowy Monaro Yes Generic 52 Southern NSW Regional Council

Snowy Valleys Council Yes Generic 55.9 Murrumbidgee

Tweed Shire Council Yes Tailored 91.4 Northern NSW

Upper Hunter Shire Yes Generic 49.7 Hunter New England Council

Central Coast Council Limited Tailored 68.6 Central Coast

34 | Shade and UV inclusion in NSW local government planning policy

Success with Type of Melanoma Council submission submission incidence * Local Health District

Inverell Shire Council Limited Generic 65.4 Hunter New England

Kyogle Council Limited Tailored 101 Northern NSW

Lake Macquarie City Limited Generic 71.5 Hunter New England Council

Lismore City Council Limited None 82.8 Northern NSW made

MidCoast Council Limited Tailored 73.7 Hunter New England

Shellharbour City Limited Generic 56.6 Illawarra Council Shoalhaven

Singleton Council Limited Generic 56.9 Hunter New England

Tamworth Regional Limited Tailored 68.5 Hunter New England Council

Ballina Shire Council No Generic 101.9 Northern NSW

Bellingen Shire Council No Generic 84.1 Mid North Coast

Brewarrina Shire No Generic 60.5 Western NSW Council

Broken Hill City No Generic 49.9 Far West Council

Byron Shire Council No Generic 110.7 Northern NSW

Cabonne Shire Council No Generic 59.3 Western NSW

Carrathool Shire No Generic 42.2 Murrumbidgee Council

Central Darling Shire No Generic 67.3 Far West Council

Cessnock City Council No Tailored 48.6 Hunter New England

Clarence Valley Council No Generic 95 Northern NSW

Cobar Shire Council No Generic 52.6 Western NSW

Coffs Harbour City No Tailored 82.1 Mid North Coast Council

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Success with Type of Melanoma Council submission submission incidence * Local Health District

Dubbo Regional No Tailored 45.5 Western NSW Council (Western Plains Regional)

Eurobodalla Shire No Generic 62.3 Southern NSW Council

Federation Council No Generic 67.9 Murrumbidgee

Forbes Shire Council No Generic 46.4 Western NSW

Gilgandra Shire No Generic 43.6 Western NSW Council

Glen Innes Severn No Generic 54.9 Hunter New England Council

Griffith City Council No Generic 37.8 Murrumbidgee

Gwydir Shire Council No Generic 59.3 Hunter New England

Hay Shire Council No Generic 18.1 Murrumbidgee

Junee Shire Council No Generic 70.8 Murrumbidgee

Kiama Municipal No Generic 70.9 Illawarra Council Shoalhaven

Lachlan Shire Council No Generic 41.1 Western NSW

Mid-Western Regional No Generic 44.3 Western NSW Council

Port Macquarie- No Generic 70.4 Mid North Coast Hastings

Port Stephens Council No Generic 72.3 Hunter New England

Wingecarribee Shire No Generic 59.8 South Western Council Sydney

Wollongong City No Tailored 53.3 Illawarra Council Shoalhaven

Armidale Regional Unknown at Generic 58.4 Hunter New England Council time of writing Berrigan Shire Council Generic 56.6 Murrumbidgee

Bogan Shire Council Generic 63.7 Western NSW

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Success with Type of Melanoma Council submission submission incidence * Local Health District

Goulburn-Mulwaree Generic 50.9 Southern NSW Council

Kempsey Shire Council Generic 75.8 Mid North Coast

Leeton Shire Council Generic 54.4 Murrumbidgee

Lithgow City Council Generic 54.1 Nepean Blue Mountains

Lockhart Shire Council Generic 71.1 Southern NSW

Murrumbidgee Council Generic 63.2 Murrumbidgee

Narrandera Shire Generic 61.9 Murrumbidgee Council

Oberon Council Generic 42.3 Western NSW

Parkes Shire Council Generic 58.8 Western NSW

Temora Shire Council Generic 39.5 Murrumbidgee

Tenterfield Shire Generic 66.6 Hunter New England Council

Upper Lachlan Shire Generic 45 Southern NSW Council

Uralla Shire Council Generic 61.7 Hunter New England

Wagga Wagga City Generic 54.5 Murrumbidgee Council

Walgett Shire Council Generic 52.7 Western NSW

Warren Shire Council Generic 67.9 Western NSW

Weddin Shire Council Generic 48.5 Western NSW

*Annual NSW cancer incidence data 2016. NSW Cancer Registry. Accessed June 2020 via: www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/research-and-data/cancer-data-and-statistics/cancer-statistics-nsw (Note:NSW rate = 51.7)

It is recommended that the Institute follow up on the one metropolitan LSPS (Hawkesbury) and the 24 regional LSPSs listed in the tables above that have not been finalised at the time of writing.

Thirty one tailored submissions were made by the consultant, 17 to metropolitan and 14 to regional councils. At the time of writing, only 3 of the metropolitan and 4 of the regional submissions had no success, as summarised in the table below.

Cancer Institute NSW | 37

Table 11: Summary of success of tailored submissions to LSPSs Success with Melanoma Council submission incidence * Local Health District

Metropolitan councils

Blacktown City Council Yes 33.6 Western Sydney

Blue Mountains City Council Yes 48.9 Nepean Blue Mountains

Hornsby Shire Council Yes 48.1 Northern Sydney

Hunter's Hill Council Yes 53.7 Northern Sydney

Inner West Council Yes 34.6 Sydney

Northern Beaches Council Yes 66.1 Northern Sydney

Penrith City Council Yes 38.8 Nepean Blue Mountains

Randwick City Council Yes 44.6 South Eastern Sydney

Strathfield Council Yes 17 Sydney

Wollondilly Shire Council Yes 62.9 South Western Sydney

Woollahra Municipal Council Yes 58.1 South Eastern Sydney

City of Parramatta Council limited 32.5 Western Sydney and Northern Sydney

Lane Cove Council Limited 65.3 Northern Sydney

Canterbury-Bankstown No 24.1 South Western Sydney and

Council Sydney

City of Sydney Council No 38.9 Sydney and South Eastern Sydney

Sutherland Shire Council No 81.2 South Eastern Sydney

Hawkesbury City Council Unknown at 61.4 Nepean Blue Mountains time of writing (final LSPS not published)

Regional councils

Bathurst Regional Council Yes 54.4 Western NSW

Bega Valley Shire Council Yes 72.6 Southern NSW

Maitland City Council Yes 68.2 Hunter New England

38 | Shade and UV inclusion in NSW local government planning policy

Newcastle City Council Yes 62.6 Hunter New England

Shoalhaven City Council Yes 59.1 Illawarra Shoalhaven

Tweed Shire Council Yes 91.4 Northern NSW

Central Coast Council Limited 68.6 Central Coast

Kyogle Council Limited 101 Northern NSW

MidCoast Council Limited 73.7 Hunter New England

Tamworth Regional Council Limited 68.5 Hunter New England

Cessnock City Council No 48.6 Hunter New England

Coffs Harbour City Council No 82.1 Mid North Coast

Dubbo Regional Council No 45.5 Western NSW (Western Plains Regional)

Wollongong City Council No 53.3 Illawarra Shoalhaven

* Source: Annual NSW cancer incidence data 2016. NSW Cancer Registry. Accessed June 2020 via: www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/research-and-data/cancer-data-and-statistics/cancer-statistics-nsw (Note:NSW rate = 51.7)

As stated in the Methodology section, an advance letter regarding shade issues was sent to selected councils early in 2020, ahead of the formal submission time, and during the time that the Institute believed that the councils would be preparing their draft LSPSs. It appeared that there may have been success in doing this, as several draft LSPSs were exhibited with shade information already included in them, including:

• Albury – UV and sun exposure information

• Muswellbrook – actions relating to shade

• Orange – UV information

• Port Macquarie Hastings – shade included in diagrams.

It is also interesting to note the level of success of submissions in relation to the top 20 LGAs with the highest melanoma incidence (2012-2016) as shown in the table below. In summary, of these 20 LGAs:

• 5 submissions resulted in success in shade and UV inclusion in the LSPS

• 3 submissions had limited levels of success

• 9 submissions had no success

• results of 2 submissions were unknown at the time of writing

• 1 LGA had no submission made.

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Table 12: Success of submissions relating to 20 LGAs with highest melanoma incidence Evidence of success Melanoma Type of with Metro or Local Health of skin* Council submission submission? regional District

110.7 Byron Shire Council Generic No Regional Northern NSW

101.9 Ballina Shire Council Generic No Regional Northern NSW

101 Kyogle Council Tailored Limited Regional Northern NSW

95 Clarence Valley Council Generic No Regional Northern NSW

91.4 Tweed Shire Council Tailored Yes Regional Northern NSW

84.1 Bellingen Shire Council Generic No Regional Mid North Coast

82.8 Lismore City Council None N/a Regional Northern NSW made

82.1 Coffs Harbour City Tailored No Regional Mid North Council Coast

79.5 Nambucca Valley Generic Yes Regional Mid North Council Coast

79.5 Richmond Valley Generic Yes Regional Northern NSW Council

75.8 Kempsey Shire Council Generic Unknown at Regional Mid North time of Coast writing

73.7 MidCoast Council Tailored Limited Regional Hunter New England

72.6 Bega Valley Shire Tailored Yes Regional Southern Council NSW

72.3 Port Stephens Council Generic No Regional Hunter New England

71.5 Lake Macquarie City Generic Limited Regional Hunter New Council England

71.1 Lockhart Shire Council Generic Unknown at Regional Southern time of NSW writing

70.9 Kiama Municipal Generic No Regional Illawarra Council Shoalhaven

40 | Shade and UV inclusion in NSW local government planning policy

Evidence of success Melanoma Type of with Metro or Local Health of skin* Council submission submission? regional District

70.8 Junee Shire Council Generic No Regional Murrumbidgee

70.4 Port Macquarie- Generic No Regional Mid North Hastings Coast

68.9 Cowra Shire Council Generic Yes Regional Western NSW

* Source: Annual NSW cancer incidence data 2016. NSW Cancer Registry. Accessed June 2020 via: www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/research-and-data/cancer-data-and-statistics/cancer-statistics-nsw (Note:NSW rate = 51.7)

The following sections describe in detail the successful inclusion of shade and UV issues in the final LSPS.

4.3.Recognition of the importance of shade for skin cancer prevention Even though some draft LSPSs mentioned shade, or more often ‘tree canopy’, they were often brief descriptions of the benefits of shade and did not mention the role of shade in reducing over-exposure to UV radiation, or the value of shade to health generally.

Each submission made by the Institute explained this link, and tailored submissions specifically suggested where text could be added to the draft LSPS to explain this. There were many successes in this area, with councils adding this information to explanatory information throughout their LSPS. Table 13 provides some examples of this – shade, skin cancer and UV mentions are marked in bold.

Table 13: Final Local Strategic Planning Statements where the benefits of shade for health and/or the prevention of skin cancer are mentioned Text in final LSPSs explaining the importance of shade for skin LSPS Council cancer prevention and/or general health Page

Strathfield Council added the following to ‘Priority 6: Development 47 balances growth with best practice planning and infrastructure provision to deliver sustainable, liveable and well-designed neighbourhoods’:

Shade provides both relief from the elements and long term health benefits for our community.

Bayside Council added the following to explanatory text under ‘A city 77 in its landscape’ description:

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Text in final LSPSs explaining the importance of shade for skin LSPS Council cancer prevention and/or general health Page

With green spaces adding to quality of life, helping keep the city cool, providing shade and ultraviolet ray (UV) protection, enhancing biodiversity and ensuring ecological resilience, they are a key component of liveability.

Lane Cove Council added the following to explanatory text regarding 48 ‘Tree Canopy Cover’ under ‘Planning Priority 10: Enhance our urban tree canopy, bushland and waterways’:

Increasing urban tree cover and Green Grid connections will provide for healthier communities and more resilient, liveable cities. Not only will the temperature in urban areas decrease, other benefits include increased protection of UV rays, healthier and more active communities due to increased usable public spaces in warmer weather and increased resilience for at-higher-risk sections of the community

Inner West Council added the following to explanatory text under the 28 ‘Blue Green Grid’ description:

Developing and improving or Blue/Green Grid will provide ecosystem services and maximise our quality of life and environment by: … Providing adequate shade to protect the community from over exposure to UV radiation

Woollahra Council added the following to the explanatory text for the 41, 62 following Planning Priorities:

Our neighbourhoods, villages and places provide: ... comfortable environments to walk through, sit, stand, play, talk, read, or just relax without exposure to unpleasant noise, heat, rain, traffic, pollution or UV radiation (Planning Priority 6: Placemaking supports and maintains the local character of our neighbourhoods and villages whilst creating great places for people)

Bushland areas, remnant vegetation and urban green cover support local biodiversity, provide habitat, help to cool the environment, support cleaner air and waterways and provide shade for protection from overexposure to UV radiation (Planning Priority 11: Conserving and enhancing and connecting our diverse and healthy green spaces and habitat, including bushland, tree canopy, gardens and parklands)

Mosman Council added the following to the explanatory text regarding 40 Planning Priority 4 Design and provide places and spaces that are healthy to live in, to work in and to visit:

Poorly designed spaces without shade can increase UV exposure.

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Text in final LSPSs explaining the importance of shade for skin LSPS Council cancer prevention and/or general health Page

Blue Council added the following to the explanatory text regarding 40 Mountains ‘Local Planning Priority 1: Living sustainably in the City within a World Heritage National Park’:

Urban tree canopy can mitigate heat, provide shade for protection from overexposure to UV radiation, support cleaner air and water and provide local habitat and connectivity to surrounding bushland

Hunters Council added the following to the description about ‘Trees 32 Hill and Urban Tree Canopy’:

Trees are needed for maintaining the health of our lands and our living environment and are essential in providing shade to cool lands and cool people and to help prevent cancers.

Georges Council added the following to the ‘Opportunities’ under 37 River Theme 2: Infrastructure and Community:

More appropriate provisions for shade in new and upgraded outdoor Council community and recreation facilities to support the prevention of skin cancer

Hornsby Council added the following explanatory text to various 51, 58 ‘Priorities’:

Our Shire will be a place where our residents feel comfortable year-round in our urban environment, while our public spaces and homes will be designed to reduce urban heat and to increase protection from UV radiation. (Priority: Our Urban Heat and Heat Vulnerability)

Our urban forest is important to the Shire’s liveability, community health and wellbeing. It is also significant to our biodiversity, landscape character, amenity and in its role in protecting us from UV radiation… and… The Urban Forest Strategy will positively influence many aspects of Hornsby’s future, including water quality, urban design, planning policy, active transport, biodiversity and climate change adaptation and shade for protection from UV radiation. (Priority: Our Urban Forest)

The Hornsby Sportsground Strategy 2018 (Strategy)… Improvements to facilities include:… Well-designed and correctly positioned shade facilities to assist in protection from UV radiation. (Priority: Our Open Space)

Penrith Council added the following to its ‘Vision’ (under the ‘Healthy’ 18 subheading):

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Text in final LSPSs explaining the importance of shade for skin LSPS Council cancer prevention and/or general health Page

Our planning provides opportunities for shade trees to create cool and comfortable neighbourhoods and provide us protection from UV radiation.

Burwood Council added the following to explanatory text under 57 Planning Priority 16: ‘Build resilience across Burwood Council and the Burwood community’:

The provision of quality shade throughout the LGA will be one of the most cost effective ways to address extreme heat in the long term and has the co-benefit of protecting people from UV exposure. Natural and built shade can easily be included in planning processes for developments. The latest Guidelines to Shade developed by the Cancer Council NSW are a practical tool to assist in the design of quality shade.

Wollondilly Council added the following to explanatory text under ‘Planning Priority 15: Delivering an Urban Tree Canopy:

Urban tree canopies provide a localised and concentrated network of trees along streets, in parks, open spaces and within commercial, industrial and residential properties. Urban tree canopies provide habitat to wildlife, improve local air quality, absorb carbon and rainfall, reduced risk of skin cancer, offer recreational and social benefits. Robust and healthy urban tree canopies offer shade and cooling and reduce urban heat, particularly in developed areas.

Newcastle Council added the following to its ‘Rationale’ sections of the 34 and following Planning Priorities: 37

Well-designed green spaces also improve air quality, reduce ambient temperature, protect us from UV exposure, store carbon, reduce flooding impacts and improve the quality of stormwater run-off (Planning Priority 4: Green our neighbourhoods)

It is likely that we will experience more frequent, longer and more extreme periods of uncomfortable summertime heat and heat wave events in the future. The provision of quality shade will be one of the most cost-effective ways to address this in the long term and has the co-benefit of protecting us from UV exposure (Planning Priority 7: Plan for climate change and build resilience)

Murray Council added to the LSPS: 57 River High-quality public and recreation spaces should…. be environmentally sensitive, provide shade for heat relief and sun protection

Orange Council added to the LSPS Natural hazards: 22

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Text in final LSPSs explaining the importance of shade for skin LSPS Council cancer prevention and/or general health Page

Natural Hazards – Ultraviolet Radiation

While there are numerous benefits to an active outdoor lifestyle, it can increase exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. To minimise the risk of melanoma Council and the community need to include provision of shade in both the public and private domains. Street trees, awnings and other built form solutions need to be valued for this important health benefit.

Maitland Council added to the LSPS: 40

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Australia and caused by overexposure to UV radiation from the sun. Across NSW, UV radiation levels are high enough to damage unprotected skin for at least 10 months of a year. Well designed and correctly positioned shade, from both built structures and natural vegetation can reduce exposure to UV radiation. Council will assist in the provision of shade throughout its public and open spaces and will encourage for its provision in private development. Shade contributes to people feeling more comfortable in being outside and encourages walking and cycling while protects them from UV radiation. (Local Planning Priority – 06 Plan For Healthy, Culturally Rich and Socially Connected Communities)

Upper Council added to the LSPS: 31 Hunter It is likely that the Upper Hunter Shire will experience more frequent, longer and more extreme periods of uncomfortable summertime heat and heat wave events in the future.

The provision of quality places with shade throughout the LGA will be one of the most cost-effective ways to address this situation in the long term, and has the co-benefit of protecting us from UV exposure. Natural and built shade can be easily included in planning processes for developments, particularly in urban areas. Well-designed shade, effectively planned and correctly positioned, can also alleviate concerns about needing to remove or modify trees to address engineering, wiring or maintenance issues.

Well-designed shade uses a combination of natural and built shade to provide protection from UV radiation where it is needed, at the right time of day and at the right time of year (Cancer Council NSW, 2013 and NSW Department of Planning and Environment 2019).

Orange Council added to the LSPS: 59(draft)

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Text in final LSPSs explaining the importance of shade for skin LSPS Council cancer prevention and/or general health Page

Urban trees, bushland, waterways and land form combine to provide a variety of ecological services that are often underappreciated due to being “free” to those who benefit. These services include:…

Increased shade also reduces exposure to ultraviolet radiation and may contribute to reducing incidence of melanoma.

(NB This text is from the draft LSPS and presumably appeared because of the advance letter that was sent to Council)

Goulburn The council report regarding the final LSPS said the LSPS Mulwaree included some information related to shade. At the time of writing, the final LSPS on DPIE’s Planning Portal did not contain this information.

Gunnedah Council added the following to the explanatory text under 47 Local Planning Priority 11: Preserving biodiversity and preparing for climate change:

Adaptation strategies will also be needed for existing urban areas that are at risk or will increasingly be at risk in the future. Australia has the highest rate of melanoma in the world. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Australia, with 2 in 3 people diagnosed in their lifetime. UV causes 95% of melanomas and 99% of non-melanoma skin cancers, making it a highly preventable cancer. It is likely that Gunnedah LGA will experience more frequent, longer and more extreme periods of uncomfortable summertime heat and heat wave events in the future.

The provision of quality shade throughout the LGA will be one of the most cost-effective ways to address this situation in the long term, and has the co-benefit of protecting us from UV exposure. Natural and built shade can be easily included in planning processes for developments, particularly in urban areas. Well-designed shade, effectively planned and correctly positioned, both natural and built, can reduce UV exposure by up to 75%. Shade offers a number of benefits for people and the environment and has an increasingly important role to play in mitigating the effects of climate change and reducing heat in urban areas.

Bega Council added the following to the explanatory text under the 56 Valley ‘Existing Situation’ of Planning Priority 9: Open Space and Recreation:

The broader health benefits of good quality shade in public spaces is not available in all public open space areas.

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4.4.Addition of planning for shade as a specific LSPS Priority The Upper Hunter draft and final LSPS was the only LGA to include shade issues in a specific Planning Priority, being: “Planning Priority 7.0.15: Provide healthy places to live, work and visit by encouraging the provision of shade”. This Planning Priority contained a detailed explanation of the value of shade, and four accompanying actions (see case study details in the following section).

4.5.Recognition of shade and UV as a planning issue Most draft LSPSs did not include any reference to UV protection, nor recognise shade and UV protection as a planning issue in conjunction with other related planning issues (e.g. tree canopy, urban heat) that were often cited (see further information in next section).

Table 14 below shows where final LSPSs recognised and included shade and UV protection as planning issues. Table 15 shows some of the LSPSs where shade had already been included as a planning issue. In both tables, shade and UV mentions are marked in bold. Note that later sections of this report will show more detailed mentions of shade in LSPSs where it was included as a specific ‘Action’ in the LSPS (as opposed to a general mention as a ‘planning issue’).

Table 14: Final Local Strategic Planning Statements where shade and UV issues were added as a result of the Institute’s submission LGA Text relating to shade and UV issues in final LSPS LSPS Page

Snowy Under Planning Priority 11: Foster resilient, enduring and safe 50 Monaro local communities using land use planning controls which address local and regional natural hazards:

Planning also plays a role in making sure there is adequate shade in open space areas. This protects many people from the impacts of heat and UV rays protecting against heat stroke and skin cancer. Council supports and intends to implement the Cancer Councils guidelines relating to the use of shade in open spaces to prevent skin cancer…

…’Council will’:

Consider the provision of well-designed shade, both natural and built, in the provision of public infrastructure.

Encourage the provision of well-designed shade in all development.

Cowra Under Planning Priority 7: Improve the liveability of the Shire’s 48 and 52 villages through on-going maintenance and improvements to services and facilities

And

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LGA Text relating to shade and UV issues in final LSPS LSPS Page

Planning Priority 9: Provide high quality open space and recreation opportunities to meet the needs of residents and visitors to Cowra Shire

Council will:…

Consider the provision of well-designed shade, both natural and built, in the provision of all public infrastructure.

Cootamundra- Under Planning Priority 14: Opportunities to create a flexible 50 Gundagai planning system' - under 'rationale': Opportunities to increase shade in public open spaces, streetscapes, commercial areas and as integrated components of development of private land must be encouraged. The protection of existing trees in both the urban and rural landscape needs to be incorporated as sustainability elements of developments.

Newcastle Under ‘Planning Priority 4: Green our neighbourhoods’, Council 34 added the following to its ‘Principles’:

Upgrades to residential streets and local centres incorporate green spaces and natural or built shading

Additional public green spaces and the provision of natural and built shade are included in planning for the mixed-use Catalyst Areas, Strategic Centres, Urban Renewal Corridors and Housing Release Areas.

Penrith Council added the following into its ‘Vision’ (under the ‘Healthy’ 18 subheading):

Our planning provides opportunities for shade trees to create cool and comfortable neighbourhoods and provide us protection from UV radiation.

Richmond Under Planning Priority 2: 35 Valley Align development, growth and infrastructure. Council added the following text into its general discussion of ‘Public & Open Spaces and Active Living’:

.. The NSW Cancer Council and Cancer Institute NSW also advocate the provision of shade as an important tool for mitigating UV exposure and the effects of heat…

Murray River Under Planning Priority 5 ‘Recreation and open space’, Council 57 added the following to its section ‘Achieving our vision:’

To achieve this priority, Council will:….

promote safe, high-quality public spaces that align with Cancer Council NSW’s Guidelines to Shade, the NSW Better Placed

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LGA Text relating to shade and UV issues in final LSPS LSPS Page

design policy and the design guide Draft Urban Design for Regional NSW.

Randwick Council added the following descriptive information to ‘Planning 35 Priority 7: Provide greater access and opportunities for walking and cycling’:

To improve accessibility to key centres we will investigate additional footpaths, additional opportunities for shade and improve pedestrian amenity in priority areas. Street amenity can be improved by reducing traffic speeds, which can increase safety and decrease noise. Planting street trees can provide additional shade and further enhance the public domain

Blacktown Under Local Planning Priority 6 : Creating and renewing great unknown places and centres – explanatory text has been added in the ‘Urban Renewal’ text:

Our planning will seek to:….design local streets to be low speed, low traffic and low stress environments that incorporate shade elements and can safely and comfortably be used for walking and cycling.

Willoughby Priority 3: Enhancing walking and cycling connections to unknown Willoughby’s urban areas, local centres and landscape features - explanatory information was added regarding shade:

Making walking and cycling a preferred mode of travel will require:… A pleasant environment for walking and cycling which is shaded by trees.

Under Priority 14: Increasing Willoughby’s tree canopy coverage – explanatory information was added regarding shade:

Tree canopy cover has a number of benefits for the environmental, social and economic sustainability of the LGA, and for the health of the local population. This includes cooling the landscape during extreme heat, which is becoming more common due to climate change. Trees improve air and water quality and enhance scenic landscape values and local biodiversity. They provide shade and increase urban amenity, which encourages walking and cycling and make Willoughby City a more attractive place to live and visit….. One mitigation measure is the greening of urban areas, noting that urban canopy cover and green spaces contribute to shade and evapotranspiration. Species selection, planting location and maintenance are critical to ensure optimal cooling effects. These actions can be adapted to the Willoughby City LGA

Bland Under Planning Priority 1 – Community: 24

To deliver this planning priority, Council will:…

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LGA Text relating to shade and UV issues in final LSPS LSPS Page

Consider the benefits of shade in all decisions about infrastructure provision and maintenance.

Consider the provision of well-designed shade, both natural and built in the provision of all public infrastructure…

Orange Addition to explanatory information for Planning Priority 11 46 Adapting to natural hazards through building resilience:

We will investigate measures to improve green cover, including a broad range of strategies to integrate green, permeable, and reflective surfaces and shade into our urban areas. This will involve planting additional or replacement trees to reinstate an urban tree canopy.

Table 15: Selected draft Local Strategic Planning Statements where shade issues were already recognised LGA Text relating to shade and UV already in draft LSPS

Port 2 figures relating to planning issues include shade Macquarie- Hastings (‘Advance letter’ sent)

Griffith Action 14.1b – ensure all public spaces are suited to the local climate and environment to reduce urban heat and enhance biodiversity (ongoing). New and redeveloped public spaces should maximise urban shade by protecting existing trees, incorporating appropriate landscaping, and increasing planting in open space areas.

(‘Advance letter’ sent)

Berrigan Challenges: The challenge for the Berrigan Shire LGA, like other regional centres, is that the townships are dominated by three bedroom dwellings (88% of all housing), an aged housing stock with minimal climate control around central business streets and minimal shade in, for example, urban transport corridors. This trend conflicts the requirements of an ageing population. Furthermore, if current trends in climate conditions continue, Berrigan Shire LGA in the future will experience an increased occurrence of natural hazards such as floods and fire, and more extreme temperatures during summer and winter. (under Planning Priority 5 - Urban Amenity)

4.6.Leveraging the co-benefits of shade As discussed above, many draft LSPSs focussed on issues that are related to shade, without specifically mentioning shade and/or its specific benefits. These issues are primarily:

• urban tree canopy or urban greening

50 | Shade and UV inclusion in NSW local government planning policy

• climate change mitigation

• urban heat mitigation

• comfort in using community infrastructure

• good urban design.

These issues were recognised in the Institute’s submissions and the link between each of these and the benefits of shade for UV protection was made - ie the Institute took the opportunity to discuss shade and UV issues by leveraging on these popular items. These are discussed individually below.

Urban tree canopy Many LSPSs, particularly in the metropolitan area, had a focus on the ‘urban tree canopy’ and the ‘Blue/Green Grid’ which is a current focus of the NSW Government, particularly in relation to one of the current Premier’s Priorities’:

Greening our city: Increase the tree canopy and green cover across Greater Sydney by planting one million trees by 2022. (https://www.nsw.gov.au/premiers- priorities/greening-our-city)

Further impetus is given to increasing metropolitan canopy cover in Objective 30 (Urban tree canopy cover is increased) in the Greater Sydney Commission’s Metropolis of Three Cities - available at https://www.greater.sydney/metropolis-of-three-cities/sustainability/city-its- landscape/urban-tree-canopy-cover-increased

The role of trees in providing shade to mitigate UV radiation was not explicitly mentioned in most councils’ discussion of ‘increasing tree canopy’ in their draft LSPSs. In many cases, the word ‘shade’ was not even used. the Institute’s tailored submissions encouraged councils to add information to their LSPS explanatory text to recognise shade and its role in mitigating against UV radiation. The success of this can be seen in other Tables in this report.

Climate change mitigation The majority of NSW councils included the term ‘climate change’ or similar somewhere in their LSPS. Where a draft LSPS contained a Priority or Action that specifically included climate change and/or its mitigations, the following information was suggested in the tailored submission prepared by the consultant:

Well-designed built and natural shade can be used effectively to cool a range of urban surfaces and hence contribute to higher energy efficiency of adjoining buildings and spaces, in turn contributing to lower energy use and reduced emissions. (Specific suggestions were then made as to how shade issues could be incorporated in the development and/or implementation of relevant climate change actions and/or future strategies already identified by council).

There was limited success in councils specifically linking ‘climate change’ and ‘shade’ in their final LSPS.

Heat mitigation ’Urban heat’, ‘heat’, ‘heatwaves’, ‘urban heat island’ or similar terms were mentioned in a substantial number of LSPSs where their text was studied in detail (including 50 regional

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councils and all metropolitan councils studied except one). Many of these included specific Priorities and Actions relating to heat mitigation.

Where a draft LSPS contained a Priority or Action that specifically included heat and/or heat mitigations, the following information was suggested in the tailored submission prepared by the consultant:

Accessible quality built and natural shade is a key factor in providing respite from heat, and in assisting in keeping urban surfaces cool in times of heatwaves. (Specific suggestions were then made as to how shade issues could be incorporated in the development and/or implementation of relevant heat mitigation actions and/or future strategies already identified by council).

There was limited success in councils specifically linking ‘heat mitigation’ and ‘shade’ in their final LSPS, although the following table identifies where there could be benefit in following up with councils as to how shade and UV issues could be incorporated in specific ‘heat mitigation’ actions – for example in future amendments to Development Control Plans. This could be particularly effective in metropolitan areas, where heat issues are currently a key focus of the local and state government and there is regional cooperation on this issue – see particularly WSROC’s ‘Turn Down the Heat’ project in western Sydney https://wsroc.com.au/projects/project-turn-down-the-heat and the Greater Sydney Commission’s Performance Indicator ‘Addressing Urban Heat’ https://www.greater.sydney/performance-indicator-addressing-urban-heat.

Table 16: Final LSPSs where urban heat mitigation is mentioned and where shade can play a role Text relating to shade or UV (as it relates to heat mitigation) Council included in final LSPS LSPS Page

Newcastle Under ‘Planning Priority 7: Plan for climate change and build 37 resilience’:

Action 7.3 Investigate opportunities to incorporate provisions in the Newcastle Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan to address urban heat island impacts and reduce UV exposure.

Georges Explanatory text under Theme 5: Environment and Open 74 River Space:

The design and delivery of integrated green infrastructure and shade within the built environment can help to reduce heat island effect particularly for people in and around higher density areas.

Waverley Explanatory information under Planning Priority 16 - Plan for 74 and manage our assets and urban environment, and support our community to adapt and be resilient to a changing climate:

To reduce the urban heat island effect in our area, Council intends to grow the urban tree canopy which includes canopy on both private and public property. This is a key priority for our area to continue to provide shade in open spaces and along

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Text relating to shade or UV (as it relates to heat mitigation) Council included in final LSPS LSPS Page

key walking and cycling routes to encourage active transport and outdoor activity.

Ku-ring-gai Explanatory information for ‘Climate Resilience and Adaptation unknown to the Impacts of Urban and Natural Hazards ‘ includes:

Extreme Heat and Urban Heat Island (UHI)… This will be further advanced through Council’s programs, public domain and open space management, which seeks to include:… investigation of verge plantings (green infrastructure) in priority heat areas to provide water retention opportunities, habitat, shade and cooling.

Council will investigate the use of development controls within the LEP and DCP to address urban heating, including:… increasing shade to hard surfaced areas…

Inner West Addition to Action 1.2: Mitigate the impacts of Urban Heat 32 Island Effect in both the private and public domain.

This will be achieved through: … Establishing planning controls for well-designed built/natural shade in the public/private domain to mitigate urban heat impacts short - long term

Burwood Explanatory text under Planning Priority 16: ‘Build resilience 57 across Burwood Council and the Burwood community’:

The provision of quality shade throughout the LGA will be one of the most cost effective ways to address extreme heat in the long term and has the co-benefit of protecting people from UV exposure. Natural and built shade can easily be included in planning processes for developments. The latest Guidelines to Change developed by the Cancer Council NSW are a practical tool to assist in the design of quality shade.

Hornsby Explanatory text under Priority ‘Our Urban Heat and Heat 51 Vulnerability’:

UHI effect is expected to increase in Sydney as urban development continues and temperatures increase with climate change including strategies that will achieve well-designed and correctly positioned shade.

Wollondilly Explanatory text under ‘Planning Priority 15: Delivering an unknown Urban Tree Canopy:

… Robust and healthy urban tree canopies offer shade and cooling and reduce urban heat, particularly in developed areas.

Northern Explanatory text under ‘Planning Priority 5: Greener urban 62 and 63 Beaches environments’:

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Text relating to shade or UV (as it relates to heat mitigation) Council included in final LSPS LSPS Page

As a fundamental characteristic of the natural landscape, it will be retained to help manage gradual temperature increases, heatwaves, urban heat island (UHI) effect and protection from UV radiation.

The urban tree canopy includes a variety of tree types and is a key form of green infrastructure most effective at combatting the UHI effect and providing protection from over-exposure to UV radiation.

‘UV radiation protection’ also added to Figure 32 Benefits of the urban tree canopy and measures to address the urban heat island effect

Blacktown Local Planning Priority 17: ‘Adapting to the impacts of urban unknown and natural hazards and climate change’ – explanatory text has been added:

Mitigating urban heat is a priority both in new developments and established urban areas. A range of urban cooling strategies will be needed, including increasing vegetation, trees, water in the landscape and incorporating cool materials and innovative design. The provision of well-designed shade is important when planning for urban renewal precincts, transport interchanges and stations/stops and community facilities.

Penrith Planning Priority 18: Connect our green and blue grid – 88 explanatory text has been added:

Increasing and connecting urban tree canopies across our City will create shading and assist in mitigating the effects of urban heat.

Penrith Planning Priority 21: Cool our city – explanatory text has been 104 added:

We also know that specific targeted building and design responses can go a long way to mitigating urban heat. Some of these responses include:

…increasing shade to hard surfaced areas…

[although also note the inclusion of “using light-coloured surfaces to promote reflectivity of building roofs, paved surfaces and facades”, which can increase UV radiation]

Shade contributes to the comfort of using community infrastructure Nearly all LSPSs included a range of actions relating to the provision of community infrastructure – for example walking and cycling paths, bus stops or transport interchanges. Tailored submissions prepared by the consultant suggested the following information:

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• The provision of well-designed and correctly positioned shade contributes to the comfort and appeal of using public transport interchanges and approaches and [where councils mentioned a current or future policy] should be included in the Integrated Transport Strategy.

• Shade contributes to people feeling more comfortable in being outside, encourages walking and cycling, and protects them from UV radiation while they are being active.

Some final LSPSs recognised this issue, for example Northern Beaches included explanatory text in ‘Planning Priority 20: Sustainable local transport networks’:

Our Walking Plan and draft Bike Plan support walking and cycling for shorter trips and for the start and finish of trips on other modes of transport. This will be achieved through safe and connected footpath and cycling routes, improved public domain (such as street furniture, lighting and shade), suitable end-of-trip facilities such as bike parking and electric vehicle charging points.

Shade as part of good urban design Nearly all LSPSs included a range of actions relating to the provision of well-designed town/city/neighbourhood centres. Tailored submissions prepared by the consultant suggested the following information:

The provision of well-designed and correctly positioned shade is an integral part of town and neighbourhood centres and should be planned for and budgeted appropriately.

Some final LSPSs recognised this issue.

4.7.Addition of planning for shade as specific LSPS ‘Planning Principles/targets/future directions/policy positions’ Some councils included ‘Planning Principles’, ‘Future Directions’, ‘Policy Positions’ or ‘Objectives’ within their final LSPS Planning Priorities. The intention and importance of these varies in each LSPS, although they all form an integral part of the LSPSs’ strategic framework and reflect the councils’ importance placed on various issues.

Table 17 lists LSPSs that included shade as specific ‘Planning Principles’, ‘Future Directions’, ‘Policy Positions’ or ‘Objectives’ within their final LSPSs.

Table 17: Final LSPSs where shade or UV is included within ‘Planning Principles or Policy Positions’ LGA Planning Priority Planning Principle relating to shade or UV

Muswellbrook Planning Priority 11: The Planning Principles that we will apply when Our Community is making decisions: safe, healthy and active. Well-designed shade, both natural and built, is provided in public infrastructure projects and private development, such as, public buildings and town

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LGA Planning Priority Planning Principle relating to shade or UV

centre upgrades, public domain improvements, recreation facilities and commercial development that adjoins public places.

Goulburn The council report regarding the final LSPS included Mulwaree information about shade. At the time of writing, the final LSPS available online does not contain this information.

Bogan Priority 9 – Adapting Planning Policy 1 is: Encourage new developments to climate events to provide shade trees in carparks and areas of public open space by ensuring appropriate controls in the DCP.

Coonamble Priority 2 - Planning Policy 4 is: Council will also encourage new Encourage a developments to provide shade trees in carparks connected, active and areas of public open space by ensuring and healthy appropriate controls in the DCP. community

Hilltops Regional Liveability – Land use Objective 5 is: Outdoor areas are easily accessible and Infrastructure and have adequate shading.

Bega Valley Planning Priority 3: Added to ‘Future Directions’: Carbon Neutral Encourage and incentivise best practice passive and sustainable building design and materials use, provision of well-designed shade and opportunities for retrofitting to minimise the need for heating and cooling.

Bega Valley Planning Priority 9: Added to ‘Future Directions’: Open Space and Recreation Prioritise well-designed natural and built shade in the delivery of all public infrastructure and spaces and support the provision of well-chosen and well- placed street trees in residential or public domain developments.

Bega Valley Planning Priority 11: Added to ‘Future Directions’: Town Centres Enhance town centres through improved connectivity and accessibility, streetscaping improvements, provision of gathering spaces, seating, shade and public toilets and tree plantings.

Newcastle Planning Priority 4: Upgrades to residential streets and local centres Green our incorporate green spaces and natural or built neighbourhoods shading

Additional public green spaces and the provision of natural and built shade are included in planning for the mixed-use Catalyst Areas, Strategic Centres,

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LGA Planning Priority Planning Principle relating to shade or UV

Urban Renewal Corridors and Housing Release Areas.

Lake Macquarie Planning Priority 1: a Enhance urban greenery to address heat island City Council City of vibrant effects and to increase shade centres – where people live, work, visit and play

Lake Macquarie Planning Priority 5: a Provide a variety of public space in and around City Council City of progress and centres incorporating green spaces that provide play – where people comfort, attractiveness, shade and natural habitat come together in natural and vibrant public spaces

Upper Hunter Planning Priority Policy position: Shire Council 7.0.15: Provide healthy places to Consider the provision of well-designed shade, both live, work and visit natural and built, in the provision of all public by encouraging the infrastructure, from large developments such as provision of shade major recreation facilities, public buildings and town centre upgrades, to the smallest public domain improvements such as bus shelters.

Encourage the provision of well-designed shade in all private developments, particularly recreation facilities and those that adjoin public places, such as commercial developments.

Consider the co-benefits of shade in all decisions about infrastructure provision and maintenance.

Ryde Target Public domain within all centres will be increased and, there will be more street trees and shade.

The Hills Planning Priority 18: Council will...Incorporate measures to increase Increase urban tree urban tree canopy and shading within the Public canopy cover Domain Strategy

4.8. Addition of shade and UV as a specific LSPS Action A focus of all submissions made by the Institute to draft LSPSs was to secure specific wording in LSPS actions relating to shade and UV issues. (The importance of actions is explained in The NSW planning system and Local Strategic Planning Statements section at the beginning of this report).

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Significantly, there are now 13 metropolitan councils and 18 regional councils that have included some reference to shade in at least one action of their final LSPS, as listed in the table below. Some LSPSs had more than one action relating to shade. It should also be noted that at the time of writing, there were 18 regional and one metropolitan final LSPSs that had not been researched, so these numbers could be significantly higher.

Generic submissions made by the Institute gave general examples of how LSPS actions could be worded, while the tailored submissions prepared by the consultant were quite specific in suggestions for wording of new actions, or in suggestions for additions and/or amendments to draft actions. There was widespread success in achieving this in the final LSPSs, as detailed in the table below.

As discussed previously, this project did not intend to capture LSPS actions specifically relating to green infrastructure, urban tree canopy, street tree planting and the like. There were widespread LSPS actions relating to these topics, and although these topics are closely related to shade, they are not always captured by this project, or in the Table below.

Table 18: Local Strategic Planning Statements where shade &/or UV issues are included in specific LSPS actions Relevant Planning LGA LSPS action relating to shade and/or UV Priority

1. LSPSs where Shade was included as an action in draft (and final) LSPS

Upper Hunter 4.10: The Upper Hunter Development Control Plan Planning Priority 7.0.15: 2015 will be reviewed to incorporate design Provide healthy places considerations regarding the provision of well- to live, work and visit designed shade, with reference to the latest shade by encouraging the guidelines. provision of shade

4.11: The Upper Hunter Engineering Guidelines for Subdivisions and Developments will be updated to include specifications for the provision of well- designed shade.

4.12: Council will prioritise well-designed shade in its provision of new and upgraded public infrastructure and spaces.

4.13: Council will consider retrofitting current public infrastructure and spaces to include well designed shade.

Lismore 14.6: Investigate a target for tree canopy and green Planning Priority 14 - cover in Lismore urban and village streets to achieve Build community increased shading (as needed). Prepare a program resilience and adapt to to plant more shade trees on urban and village climate change streets and develop funding options for the program (under Theme 5 – including through developer contributions. Street Climate Resilience) trees should be incorporated into walking / cycling paths.

Griffith 14.1B – ensure all public spaces are suited to the Planning Priority 14 – local climate and environment to reduce urban heat Respect, Protect and

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Relevant Planning LGA LSPS action relating to shade and/or UV Priority

and enhance biodiversity (ongoing) New and Improve Our Open redeveloped public spaces should maximise urban Spaces shade by protecting existing trees, incorporating appropriate landscaping, and increasing planting in open space area

Wollondilly 15.1: Prepare an urban tree canopy strategy Short Planning Priority 15: Delivering an Urban 15.2: Review and revise relevant provisions in the Tree Canopy DCP to incorporate restoration of trees, support canopy cover targets and to improve canopy cover across roads and footpaths

2. LSPSs where Shade was included as a new action in final LSPS

Randwick 7.3 Ensure well designed and appropriately located Planning Priority 7: (built and natural) shade be provided at public Provide greater access transport interchanges, in the planning of town and and opportunities for neighbourhood centres, along foreshores and at key walking and cycling outdoor recreation areas - ongoing

Bland 1.3 Council's Bland Development Control Plan 2012 Planning Priority 1 - will be reviewed to incorporate design considerations Community regarding the provision of well-designed shade, with reference to the latest shade guidelines (short term timeframe)

Goulburn The report to Council regarding the final LSPS N/A Mulwaree included new actions that mentioned shade, however the final LSPS available online did not include this.

Orange Council prepare planning controls for the LEP and Planning Priority 16: DCP to address the hazard of Ultra-Violet (UV) Adapt to the impacts of radiation and the need for shade within the public hazards and climate and private realms. change.

Council seek to preserve and enhance the urban tree Planning Priority 13: canopy throughout Orange and establish a target Protect, conserve and canopy coverage rate for the urban areas enhance Orange’s urban accompanied by a replacement planting ratio within tree canopy, landform, the DCP waterways and bushland.

Bathurst 15.5 Develop a Cooling the Region Strategy that Planning Priority 15: Regional considers options for built and natural shade Improve resilience to natural hazards and extreme weather events

Dungog 47. Review the provision of shade structures on Planning Priority 2: A Council assets and explore possible funding Healthy Community

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Relevant Planning LGA LSPS action relating to shade and/or UV Priority

opportunities for any identified shortfalls – short term

Hilltops Encourage provision of well-designed shade in Land Use – Town Regional awnings or street trees along main streets. Centres and Main Streets

Encourage provision of well-designed shade along Land Use – Inner Urban pedestrian ways, including the provision of street trees

Encourage provision of well-designed shade in street Land Use – Residential verges, including the use of appropriate street tree Town Lots planting and their ongoing management.

Encourage provision of well-designed shade in Land Use – Commercial awnings or street trees along main streets.

Encourage the provision of contiguous awnings and Harden-Murrumburrah shade along the shop frontages of Neill Street. Strategic Objectives – Economy and Employment

Review building, land use and infrastructure plans Liveability – Land use and guidelines to incorporate the provision of… Well and Infrastructure designed shades particularly in public spaces, town centres, large developments and recreation facilities.

Maitland Council will review and update its DCP to enable Local Planning Priority – effective consideration of well designed built and 06 Plan For Healthy, natural shades, consistent with the best practice. Culturally Rich and Socially Connected Short term time frame – MCC responsibility Communities

Muswellbrook Council will review the DCP and Engineering Design Planning Priority 11: specifications to: Our Community is safe, healthy and active a) incorporate design considerations regarding the provision of well-designed shade, with reference to the latest shade guidelines;

b) require well-designed shade in any private buildings or developments that adjoin public places that are likely to have significant visitation (e.g. high pedestrian traffic or people visiting or pausing in public spaces);

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Relevant Planning LGA LSPS action relating to shade and/or UV Priority

c) require the provision of well-designed shade in recreation facilities;

d) require the provision of well-designed shade in the design of any public infrastructure;

e) require the consideration of the benefits of shade in any application to remove trees or vegetation currently providing significant shade and communicate to residents the benefits of shade; and

f) encourage the provision of well-chosen and well- placed street trees in residential or public domain developments.

Timeframe: medium term

Queanbeyan– 4.2.1 Ensure new developments are provided with Planning Priority 2 - we Palerang appropriate open space and play equipment have an active and including well designed shade. healthy lifestyle

Monitoring and reporting:

Council standards for open space and recreational

infrastructure support new development, Contribution Plans, planning agreements and include incentives to maximise potential uplift in amenity from improvements

4.3.1 Undertake the land-use planning action Planning Priority 3 - We recommendations of the 2019 Queanbeyan CBD will continue the Spatial Masterplan and Queanbeyan CBD Place Plan ongoing revitalisation of and ensure well designed shade is provided the Queanbeyan CBD, suburban centres and Monitoring and reporting: rural village Relevant LEP and planning controls updated.

Queanbeyan CBD Place Plan implemented

4.10.6 Consider the provision of well-designed Planning Priority 10 - shade, both natural and built, in the provision of all We plan for and provide public infrastructure, from large developments such regional facilities which as major recreation facilities, public buildings and promote better social town centre upgrades, to the smallest public domain connection and access improvements such as bus shelters for the community

Monitoring and reporting:

Incorporation of Guidelines to Shade (Cancer Council NSW) and Better Places (NSW Government Architect) guidelines into DCPs, specifications and relevant Plans of Management

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Relevant Planning LGA LSPS action relating to shade and/or UV Priority

Monitoring and reporting for action 4.5.6 (Design Planning Priority 5 - We and provide places and spaces that are healthy to consider the live in, to work in and to visit…): environmental impacts of future development Incorporation of Guidelines to Shade (Cancer Council NSW) and Better Places (NSW Government Architect) guidelines into DCPs and relevant Plans of Management.

Shoalhaven Collaboration Activity: Planning Priority 11: Adapting to natural CA11.2: Continue to partner, where appropriate, hazards through with the Cancer Council of NSW on initiatives to building resilience provide increased shade and UV protection.

Snowy 1.8 Council’s Development Control Plan will be Planning Priority 11 - Monaro reviewed to incorporate design considerations Foster resilient, regarding the provision of well-designed shade, with enduring and safe local reference to the latest shade guidelines. communities using land use planning controls The LSPS action table also acknowledges that the which address local and above action will be in the short term, is funded, and regional natural hazards relates to the DCP and to other ‘strategies’

Gunnedah Action 48: Design and provide sustainable places Local Planning Priority and spaces that are healthy to live in, to work in and 11: Preserving to visit with consideration to: biodiversity and a) provision of well-designed shade, both natural preparing for climate and built, in all public infrastructure, from large change: developments such as major recreation facilities, public buildings and town centre upgrades, to the smallest public domain improvements such as bus shelters b) the Government Architect NSW and Transport for NSW Movement and Place Framework

Timing: short term

Moree Plains Action 4.3.1: Deliver best-practice guidelines for Direction 4.3: Support planning, designing and developing healthy built healthy, safe, socially environments including adequate provision of shade engaged and well- in both the public and private realm. Council and connected communities DPIE - medium term

Georges Action A23: Provide shade in new and upgraded Planning Priority 4: River outdoor Council community and recreation facilities Collaboration supports innovation and delivers Short to long term infrastructure, services and facilities

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Relevant Planning LGA LSPS action relating to shade and/or UV Priority

Woollahra Action 21. Continue to encourage the provision of Planning Priority 2: well-designed and appropriate shade in all Planning for a developments, public domain, recreational facilities community supported and other relevant infrastructure. by infrastructure that fosters health, creativity, cultural activities and social connections.

Bayside Action 24.8 review Council’s policies and technical Planning Priority 24: specifications to include provisions for well-designed Reduce community risk shade to be incorporated in public domain works – to urban and natural (timing - ongoing hazards and improve the community’s resilience to social, environmental and economic shocks and stressors.

3. LSPSs where Shade was included as an addition to an action in final LSPS

Ryde M5.1 Create a well-used public domain that: is clean Planning priority re and safe; encourages people to linger in the public Macquarie Park: Create spaces by providing shade (more trees, awnings and a public domain within shade structures), seating, community events, Macquarie Park that markets activation; creates meeting spaces and brings people together supports community events

Inner West Mitigate the impacts of Urban Heat Island Effect in Sustainability - Priority both the private and public domain. 1 Adapt to climate This will be achieved through: … Establishing change planning controls for well-designed built/natural shade in the public/private domain to mitigate urban heat impacts short - long term

Inner West Develop DCP controls that provide for a rich diversity Liveability - Priority 7: of functional, safe and connected urban spaces. Provide for a rich This will be achieved by requiring:… Adequate diversity of functional, sunlight and shade for public spaces. safe and enjoyable urban spaces connected with and enhanced by their surroundings

Woollahra 4 - Work with neighbouring councils and government Planning Priority 1: agencies to deliver safe active transport links, Planning for integrated particularly cycling and walking paths and supporting land use and transport infrastructure. Examples include end of trip facilities, for a healthy, shade and wider footpaths. These links should sustainable, connected connect our community to local centres where they

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Relevant Planning LGA LSPS action relating to shade and/or UV Priority

can access local jobs, services, retail and community and a 30- entertainment minute city.

11. Increase street plantings and tree canopy along streetscapes and pathways to provide shade and a healthy, visually appealing setting for walking, cycling and enjoying the public domain

Northern Action 5.2 Investigate area and land-use-specific Planning Priority 5: Beaches tree canopy and green cover targets, based on the Greener urban Government Architect NSW’s proposed targets, environments prioritising areas with low canopy cover, socio- economic disadvantage and high levels of urban heat and UV radiation .

Added as a ‘Partner’ to this action: Cancer Institute NSW

Action 5.3 Prepare design guidelines and develop LEP and DCP controls for urban tree canopy, urban heat and UV radiation. Tree canopy to be addressed by tree replacement ratio, deep soil requirements, landscaped area requirements and increased front building setbacks in road corridors. Urban heat to be addressed by requirements for roof colours, cool pavements, wind circulation, green roofs, green walls and water sensitive urban design. UV radiation to be addressed by well-designed built and natural shade

Added as a ‘Partner’ to this action: Cancer Institute NSW and NSROC

Action 8.6: Prepare a climate change action plan for Planning Priority 8: the LGA and a climate change adaptation plan for Adapted to the impacts Frenchs Forest strategic centre of natural and urban hazards and climate Added as a ‘Partner’ to this action: DPIE, Resilient change Sydney, Office of Emergency Management, Cancer Institute NSW

Canada Bay Review the Canada Bay Development Control Plan to Planning Priority 4 of deliver controls in relation to:…. the Liveability theme: Foster safe, healthy, …regard for Cancer Council NSW Guidelines to Shade creative, culturally rich in land use plans for the public domain and new and socially connected public infrastructure. communities

Cumberland Promote and encourage walkability through a Local Planning Priority 7 connected pedestrian network which includes safe – Design vibrant and attractive centres and

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Relevant Planning LGA LSPS action relating to shade and/or UV Priority

and improved crossings, wayfinding signage, shade encourage healthy and seating – ongoing living-

Ku-ring-gai Investigate and refine LEP and DCP controls to Local Planning Priorities support Council to meet its Canopy and Urban Forest K30. Improving the targets set within the Urban Forest Strategy, quality and diversity of including canopy protection, planting and deep soil Ku-ring-gai’s urban requirements, and provision of shade (short term) forest

And

K31. Increasing, managing and protecting Ku-ring-gai’s urban tree canopy

Strathfield Work collaboratively with the DPIE and other Priority 1: Collaboration stakeholders to ensure that future development ensures growth is within Planned Precincts or other large areas of sustained by well- future growth facilitate the delivery of: planned and accessible • diversity in housing consistent with the existing infrastructure and desired future neighbourhood character

• high quality domain and open space

• well designed natural and built shade

• mechanisms for the delivery of required infrastructure

• high efficiency, low carbon infrastructure

• water sensitive urban design and water recycling system Immediate to Medium Term

Work collaboratively with Burwood Council, TfNSW and the DPIE to identify opportunities for infrastructure upgrades within Strathfield Town Centre such as active travel paths, electric vehicle charging stations, energy efficient lighting, water bubblers and shade. Immediate

Prepare an Open space and Recreational Strategy to: Priority 5: Well located and designed social and • identify current and future needs recreation infrastructure • trends in sport and recreation connects us and supports healthy and • options for facility delivery including the utilisation active lifestyles for of resources and the provision of recreation/sport people of all ages and abilities

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Relevant Planning LGA LSPS action relating to shade and/or UV Priority

facilities in high-rise development through contribution plans and public benefit

• recommend options to plan and design built and natural shade Immediate

Develop controls in Council’s DCP 2022 to ensure Priority 6: Development new high density development and development in balances growth with centres incorporates high-quality public domain, best practice planning adequate communal/shared spaces and well- and infrastructure designed appropriately located built and natural provision to deliver shade sustainable, liveable Short Term and well-designed neighbourhoods

Work collaboratively with Burwood Council, TfNSW Priority 9: Our centres and key landowners to prepare a masterplan for are easy to get around, Strathfield Town Centre to fulfill its potential and deliver activated social strengthen its economic role within the LGA and spaces, opportunities to District. In particular to: …. connect, nearby housing and local provide well-designed built and natural shade employment Immediate to Medium Term opportunities

Work collaboratively with Sydney Markets to ensure Priority 11: Strathfield’s the Sydney Markets Precinct is clean and attractive unique experiences and provides for an improved, well shaded public provide a central domain meeting point for Short Term Strathfield residents and visitors

Newcastle 1.1 Review and update the Newcastle Cycling Planning Priority 1: Strategy and Action Plan to guide the growth of Prioritise active cycling and active transport networks with the transport in our City Newcastle Transport Strategy, and include… Respond to the importance of cool transport corridors in encouraging use of active transport and identify opportunities to incorporate shade along active transport routes.

4.1.Review Newcastle Development Control Plan Planning Priority 4: provisions for landscaped and impervious area, Green our shade and vegetation management including neighbourhoods opportunities to use green roofs and walls

7.3 Investigate opportunities to incorporate Planning Priority 7: Plan provisions in the Newcastle Local Environmental Plan for climate change and and Development Control Plan to address urban heat build resilience island impacts and reduce UV exposure

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Relevant Planning LGA LSPS action relating to shade and/or UV Priority

9.3 In conjunction with local character assessments Planning Priority 9: and the Local Centres Program identify spaces in Sustainable, healthy neighbourhoods where people can gather, such as and inclusive streets, community gardens and seating, which incorporate neighbourhoods and well-designed shade. local centres

(in draft LSPS this was ‘Create inclusive streets and spaces in our neighbourhoods and local centres’)

Tweed 1.5 Evaluate introducing new development Planning Priority 1: incentives targeting water sensitive urban design, Protect the Tweed’s built and natural shade, renewable energy and significant natural sustainable and renewable materials. environment, resources and landscape qualities, while cultivating sustainable growth and development, which promotes the health and vitality of the community

1.6 Promote the greening of urban areas to mitigate Planning Priority 1: the heat island effect, help protect against over- Protect the Tweed’s exposure to UV radiation, improve urban significant natural biodiversity, amenity and air quality, and achieve an environment, resources increase in tree canopy across the LGA. and landscape qualities, while cultivating sustainable growth and development, which promotes the health and vitality of the community

8.10 Promote good design within the public domain Planning Priority 8: to provide an attractive, safe, appropriately shaded Revitalise and promote and connected streetscape environment for walking Tweed Heads as a and socialising vibrant, contemporary and sustainable regional city.

Liverpool 9.6 Develop a place-making strategy for the Quirindi Planning Priority 9 – Plains and Werris Creek CBDs with consideration to the Protect and celebrate provision of well-designed shade (both natural and our unique sense of built), and the ways in which heritage and culture place contribute to attractive and liveable places

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Relevant Planning LGA LSPS action relating to shade and/or UV Priority

Narromine 1.Recognise the importance and consider resources Planning Priority 1: A needed to maintain open spaces, to encourage safe, active and healthy greater use by the community: community

1.3.Include well designed shade in Council green spaces as an ongoing commitment to improve shade provision in Council projects and infrastructure provision.

1.4.In any review of relevant sections of the DCP the provision of shade is to be recognised as important for a safer healthy community.

Albury City 10.5 Continue our street tree planting program and Planning Priority 10: recently introduced planning provisions relating to Adapting to the impacts ‘minimum landscape areas’ (Part 10 Albury DCP) to of urban and natural help increase tree coverage, improve air quality, hazards and climate reduce UV radiation (that cause skin cancer) and change cool urban areas

4.9. Inclusion of UV as a ’natural hazard’ Through this project, the Institute has raised the concept with councils (via submissions to LSPSs) that UV is a natural hazard, akin to natural hazards already recognised by councils such as flooding, bushfire, coastal erosion, soil slip, etc. These topics have been accepted and understood by councils and planners as natural hazards for decades, while UV, despite its ubiquitousness, has not.

In the tailored submissions prepared by the consultant, the following suggestion and accompanying information was given to councils:

Council should recognise UV radiation as a type of natural hazard that Council can assist in mitigating in its community. By way of explanation:

Ultra-violet (UV) radiation is a type of natural hazard. At least 95 per cent of melanoma skin cancer and 99 per cent of non-melanoma skin cancers are caused by overexposure to UV radiation from the sun. Well-designed and correctly positioned shade, from both natural vegetation and built structures, can reduce exposure to UV radiation by up to 75 per cent. Council can assist in the provision of shade throughout its public and open spaces, and can require its provision in relevant private developments.

The Institute would be pleased to assist Council in the development of a shade and UV protection strategy or policy.

In preparing such a strategy or policy, Guidelines to Shade - A practical guide for shade development in New South Wales, 2013 will provide useful practical advice to Council.

From June 2020, similar text was also placed in the generic LSPS submissions sent to regional councils, as shown in Annexure 5.

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There was limited success of this suggestion - the table below shows the councils who took up any of the suggestions above and mentioned UV as a natural hazard in their final LSPS (the mention of UV is marked in bold).

The inclusion of UV as a natural hazard in any NSW council planning document is a first and is considered a significant step in providing the opportunity to further connect with councils to address mitigation of UV at the local level.

Table 19: Local Strategic Planning Statements where UV has been recognised as a natural hazard Theme/Planning LSPS LGA LSPS mentions of UV as a natural hazard Priority Page

Inner Explanatory text: Sustainability - 30 West Planning for There are a number of other hazards which hazards and also require consideration. The risks climate change associated with these hazards are of a different nature, and design, timing and remediation are often more important in the management of these risks. These hazards include:

• Contamination • Urban heat • UV radiation • Transporting of dangerous goods; and • Failure of infrastructure

Action 1.1: Plan for resilience to climate change, urban hazards and failure due to shocks and stresses; This will include:… Establishing planning controls to appropriately manage the risks and impacts of all urban and natural hazards affecting Inner West…

Blue Explanatory text: Local Planning 51 Mountains Priority 2: Bush fire threat is the most extreme natural Managing bushfire hazard affecting the Blue Mountains risk and responding community. However, storms, flooding, hail to climate change as well as changes in temperature extremes in our unique (and exposure to increased UV environment - radiation) are key natural hazards to which under ‘Natural we must adapt over the next 20 years. hazards’

Northern Information box added: Planning Priority 5: 63 Beaches Greener urban Ultra-violet (UV) radiation is a type of environments natural hazard. The incidence of melanoma for the LGA is 64 per 100,000 people (compared to 51 per 100,000 people for NSW). Well-designed and correctly

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Theme/Planning LSPS LGA LSPS mentions of UV as a natural hazard Priority Page

positioned shade, from both natural vegetation and built structures, can reduce exposure to UV radiation.

Added to the ‘principles’ for this Planning Planning Priority 8: 84 Priority: Adapted to the impacts of natural Mitigate exposure to UV radiation, the and urban hazards UHI effect and extreme heat. and climate change

Tamworth Explanatory text: Planning Priority 5: 23 Regional Design with nature Exposure to UV radiation is a frequently overlooked natural hazard that impacts the Tamworth Regional and Council has an important role to plan in collaboration with bodies such as the NSW Cancer Institute and NSW Cancer Council to promote awareness and programs to mitigate the impact on the community, including Council’s own workforce.

Orange New section added to ‘environmental Our challenges 22 challenges’: Natural Hazards – UV radiation

While there are numerous benefits to an active outdoor lifestyle, it can increase exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. To minimise the risk of melanoma Council and the community need to include provision of shade in both the public and private domains. Street trees, awnings and other built form solutions need to be valued for this important health benefit.

Explanatory info added to ‘Rationale’: Planning Priority 62 13: Protect, Increased shade also reduces exposure to conserve and UV radiation and may contribute to enhance Orange’s reducing incidence of melanoma. urban tree canopy, landform, waterways and bushland.

Addition of action: Planning Priority 69 16: Adapt to the Council prepare planning controls for the LEP impacts of hazards and DCP to address the hazard of UV and climate radiation and the need for shade within the change. public and private realms

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During the course of the project, contact was also made with a specialist flood planning expert within DPIE who was interested in taking this concept to a national alliance of Disaster Management specialists, who work across the spectrum of natural hazards and disasters. Although UV is not a ‘natural disaster’, it is a natural hazard that can be mitigated against through planning measures.

There is merit in following up this issue at a state and national level, especially if DPIE furthers any state planning policies relating to natural hazards, as noted in the Recommendations section.

4.10. Encouraging councils to prepare a UV and Shade Strategy Both the generic and tailored submissions encouraged councils to prepare a specific UV and Shade Strategy, which was outside the scope of each LSPS, but which was considered a natural ‘next step’ for councils. The Institute submissions also offered the assistance of the Institute to achieve this.

The following councils made reference to this in either their final LSPS or council report regarding the LSPS:

• Goulburn Mulwaree – the council report regarding the final LSPS mentioned this as part of an LSPS action.

• Shoalhaven – made reference in Council report, but did not include in final LSPS

• Bathurst Regional – at p95, the LSPS states that “Council will develop a Cooling the Region Strategy, taking into consideration the NSW Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy (2017), to identify opportunities to reduce the impacts of heat and exposure to UV radiation through built and natural shade”. The subsequent action 15.5 is: Develop a Cooling the Region Strategy that considers options for built and natural shade.

These should be followed up in the near future, as noted in the Recommendations section.

4.11. Inclusion of UV and shade issues in ‘Smart City’ programs Many councils, particularly metropolitan councils, and some larger regional councils, mentioned their ‘Smart City’ programs in their LSPSs. These programs usually include measurement of data such as pedestrian or traffic counts, various environmental data or temperature . Where a draft LSPS mentioned a ‘Smart City’ program, some of the tailored submissions prepared by the consultant suggested that the metric of UV and shade coverage and/or usage should be included in the ‘Smart City’ program and data collection.

It is unknown as to how many councils have, or will, take up this suggestion, however it is worth following up, especially in the current policy focus of the measurement and mitigation of heat in urban areas.

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4.12. Referencing of Cancer Council NSW ‘Guidelines to Shade’ All submissions to draft LSPSs included references to the detailed Guidelines to Shade - A practical guide for shade development in New South Wales, 2013, (the Guidelines) published by Cancer Council NSW.

The following final LSPSs include a direct reference to the Guidelines, and this offers an ideal opportunity to follow these councils up for future action:

• Upper Hunter Shire – in comprehensive priority and actions relating to shade – see Case Studies section

• Bland Shire – In action 1.3: “Bland Development Control Plan 2012 will be reviewed to incorporate design considerations regarding the provision of well-designed shade, with reference to the latest shade guidelines (short term timeframe)”

• Burwood Council – “The latest Guidelines to Change [sic] developed by the Cancer Council NSW are a practical tool to assist in the design of quality shade”

• Blacktown City – included in the references of the LSPS

• Canada Bay – Action 4.1: "Review the Canada Bay DCP to deliver controls in relation to: …..regard for Cancer Council NSW Guidelines for Shade in land use plans for the public domain and new public infrastructure.”

4.13. Shade issues referred to other sections of Council or projects Submissions made to LSPSs encouraged each council to not only include information regarding shade and UV in their LSPS, but also to refer the information in the submission to other sections of council where planning for shade would be relevant – e.g. to engineers involved in infrastructure provision, or to Parks and Recreation sections of Council.

There was evidence that many councils did do this, especially where they decided that specific details of shade planning would not be included in the LSPS. The consultant’s review of many reports to council regarding the finalisation of LSPSs revealed specific recommendations to refer shade issues to other parts of council, for follow up in later strategies, plans, infrastructure provision etc. This is noted in the accompanying project database in the column ‘Council report or attachments specifically refers shade issues to other sections / future projects of Council’.

Below are two examples of this:

• Central Coast Council: Although shade was not mentioned in the final LSPS, the report to Council regarding the LSPS said: “Detailed planning of recreational facilities will be addressed by future strategies such as Active Lifestyles Strategy and the Housing Strategy and related Development Control Plans, which are actions within the LSPS. This issue [shade planning] will be raised with the relevant Business Unit within Council”

• MidCoast Council: In the report to Council regarding the LSPS, the analysis of the Institute’s submission concentrated on where the consideration of shade could be included

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in future Council projects: “The provision of shade could be a consideration of the Open Space and Recreation Needs Assessment that will inform the development of the Open Space Strategy for the MidCoast. The development of the Strategy is an action of the LSPS. The Greening Strategy will guide how we manage, maintain, sustain and enhance urban greening across the MidCoast. A potential outcome of the Greening Strategy is a shade for parks program.”

It is recommended that these and other programs be followed up.

4.14. Submissions made to other council policies/strategies During the project, submissions were also sent to three other related council projects.

• Kyogle Draft Open Space Guide (submission sent May 2020)

• Northern Beaches Council Public Domain Design (submission sent May 2020)

• Dubbo City Council – Beautification of Dubbo CBD Proposed Tree Planting (late 2020).

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Case studies

5.1. Introduction A selected number of final LSPSs are presented in this section to showcase where shade and UV exposure issues have successfully been placed in final LSPSs. In addition to the submissions made by the Institute, submissions made by other organisations (for example Cancer Council NSW and the relevant LHD) may also have had a positive impact on the inclusion of shade in the final LSPS documents.

For each case study below, the following is shown:

• the LGA’s geography, melanoma incidence, LHD and type of submission made by the Institute • changes to the final LSPS regarding shade and UV related issues that were made by council, with specific references to shade and UV shown in bold • the relevant Planning Priority to which each change relates, and the LSPS page number.

The case studies following were chosen to represent a spread of geographical areas across regional and metropolitan areas and also to represent a variety of different responses to the submissions. Note that most of the case studies are as a result of ‘tailored’ submissions, with some ‘generic’ submissions and one where no submission was made (but where an ‘advance letter’ was sent). They are in no particular order of importance.

Metropolitan councils: • Northern Beaches • Strathfield • Inner West • Penrith • Blue Mountains • Woollahra

Regional councils: • Maitland • Lismore • Upper Hunter • Muswellbrook • Snowy Valleys • Newcastle • Tweed • Nambucca Valley • Queanbeyan–Palerang

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5.2. Northern Beaches • LSPS name: Towards 2040 LSPS • Geography: Metropolitan • Local Health District: Northern Sydney • Melanoma of skin (Age standardised incidence rate 2012-2016): 66.1 • Type of submission to draft LSPS made by the Institute: Tailored

Table 20: Northern Beaches LSPS – inclusion of shade & UV issues Additions made to final LSPS relating to shade & UV Planning priority/ LSPS issues action Page

1. Additions made to LSPS explanatory text

Tree coverage and greenery in the Northern Beaches Planning Priority 62 contribute to the area’s streetscape, character and 5: Greener urban standard of living. As a fundamental characteristic of the environments natural landscape, it will be retained to help manage gradual temperature increases, heatwaves, urban heat island (UHI) effect and protection from UV radiation.

Figure 32 Benefits of the urban tree canopy and Planning Priority 62 measures to address the urban heat island effect - ‘UV 5: Greener urban radiation protection’ was added to the figure environments

An additional information box dedicated to UV and Planning Priority 63 shade was added: 5: Greener urban environments Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a type of natural hazard. The incidence of melanoma for the LGA is 64 per 100,000 people (compared to 51 per 100,000 people for NSW). Well-designed and correctly positioned shade, from both natural vegetation and built structures, can reduce exposure to UV radiation.

The urban tree canopy includes a variety of tree types Planning Priority 63 and is a key form of green infrastructure most effective 5: Greener urban at combatting the UHI effect and providing protection environments from over-exposure to UV radiation.

Our Walking Plan and draft Bike Plan support walking Planning Priority 146 and cycling for shorter trips and for the start and finish 20: Sustainable of trips on other modes of transport. This will be local transport achieved through safe and connected footpath and networks cycling routes, improved public domain (such as street furniture, lighting and shade), suitable end-of-trip facilities such as bike parking and electric vehicle charging points

2. Additions made to LSPS ‘principles’

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Additions made to final LSPS relating to shade & UV Planning priority/ LSPS issues action Page

Reduce exposure to UV radiation and the urban heat Planning Priority 67 island effect by increasing the urban tree canopy and 5: Greener urban green cover, incorporating water sensitive urban design environments and improving infrastructure and building design.

Mitigate exposure to UV radiation, the UHI effect and Planning Priority 84 extreme heat. 8: Adapted to the impacts of natural and urban hazards and climate change

Ensure upgrades to infrastructure address impacts from Planning Priority 95 climate change, including urban heat, UV radiation 9: Infrastructure exposure, sea-level rise and increased incidence of bush delivered with fire, flooding and storm surges. employment and housing growth

3. Additions made to LSPS actions

5.2 Investigate area and land-use-specific tree canopy Planning Priority 67 and green cover targets, based on the Government 5: Greener urban Architect NSW’s proposed targets, prioritising areas with environments low canopy cover, socio-economic disadvantage and high levels of urban heat and UV radiation. Action 5.2

Added as a partner to this action: Cancer Institute NSW

5.3 Prepare design guidelines and develop LEP and DCP Planning Priority 67 controls for urban tree canopy, urban heat and UV 5: Greener urban radiation. Tree canopy to be addressed by tree environments replacement ratio, deep soil requirements, landscaped area requirements and increased front building setbacks Action 5.3 in road corridors. Urban heat to be addressed by requirements for roof colours, cool pavements, wind circulation, green roofs, green walls and water sensitive urban design. UV radiation to be addressed by well- designed built and natural shade.

Added as a partner to this action: Cancer Institute NSW and NSROC

Added as a partner to this action: DPIE, Resilient Action 8.6: 86 Sydney, Office of Emergency Management, Cancer Prepare a climate Institute NSW change action plan for the LGA and a climate change adaptation plan for Frenchs Forest strategic centre

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5.3.Strathfield • LSPS name: 2040 LSPS

• Geography: Metropolitan

• Local Health District: Sydney

• Melanoma of skin (Age standardised incidence rate 2012-2016): 17

• Type of submission to draft LSPS made by the Institute: Tailored

Table 21: Strathfield LSPS – inclusion of shade & UV issues Additions made to final LSPS relating to LSPS shade & UV issues Planning priority/action Page

1. Additions made to LSPS explanatory text

Shade provides both relief from the elements Priority 6: Development balances 47 and long-term health benefits for our growth with best practice planning community. and infrastructure provision to deliver sustainable, liveable and well-designed neighbourhoods

2. Additions made to LSPS actions

Added to action A3: Work collaboratively with Priority 1: Collaboration ensures 33 the DPIE and other stakeholders to ensure growth is sustained by well- that future development within Planned planned and accessible Precincts or other large areas of future infrastructure growth facilitate the delivery of:

• diversity in housing consistent with the existing and desired future neighbourhood character

• high quality domain and open space

• well-designed natural and built shade

• mechanisms for the delivery of required infrastructure

• high efficiency, low carbon infrastructure

• water sensitive urban design and water recycling system Time frame: Immediate to Medium Term

Added to action A5: Work collaboratively with 33 Burwood Council, TfNSW and the DPIE to identify opportunities for infrastructure upgrades within Strathfield Town Centre such as active travel paths, electric vehicle charging stations, energy efficient lighting,

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Additions made to final LSPS relating to LSPS shade & UV issues Planning priority/action Page

water bubblers and shade. Timeframe: Immediate

Added to action A31: Prepare an Open space Priority 5: Well located and 45 and Recreational Strategy to: designed social and recreation infrastructure connects us and • identify current and future needs supports healthy and active • trends in sport and recreation lifestyles for people of all ages and abilities • options for facility delivery including the utilisation of resources and the provision of recreation/sport facilities in high-rise development through contribution plans and public benefit

• recommend options to plan and design built and natural shade. Time frame: Immediate

Added to action A40: Develop controls in Priority 6: Development balances 47 Council’s DCP 2022 to ensure new high growth with best practice planning density development and development in and infrastructure provision to centres incorporates high-quality public deliver sustainable, liveable and domain, adequate communal/shared spaces well-designed neighbourhoods and well-designed appropriately located built and natural shade. Short Term

Added to action A64: Work collaboratively Priority 9: Our centres are easy to 59 with Burwood Council, TfNSW and key get around, deliver activated landowners to prepare a masterplan for social spaces, opportunities to Strathfield Town Centre to fulfill its potential connect, nearby housing and local and strengthen its economic role within the employment opportunities LGA and District. In particular to: ….

provide well-designed built and natural shade. Immediate to medium term

Added to action A79: Work collaboratively Priority 11: Strathfield’s unique 63 with Sydney Markets to ensure the Sydney experiences provide a central Markets Precinct is clean and attractive and meeting point for Strathfield provides for an improved, well-shaded residents and visitors public domain. Short term

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5.4.Inner West LGA • LSPS name: Our Place Inner West: LSPS • Geography: Metropolitan • Local Health District: Sydney • Melanoma of skin (Age standardised incidence rate 2012-2016): 34.6 • Type of submission to draft LSPS made by the Institute: Tailored

Table 22: Inner West LSPS – inclusion of shade & UV issues Additions made to final LSPS relating to shade & UV Planning issues priority/action LSPS Page

1. Additions made to LSPS explanatory text

Developing and improving the Blue/Green Grid will Sustainability - 28 provide ecosystem services and maximise our quality Blue Green Grid of life and environment by:… Providing adequate description shade to protect the community from over exposure to UV radiation

There are a number of other hazards which also Sustainability - 30 require consideration. The risks associated with these Planning for hazards are of a different nature, and design, timing hazards and and remediation are often more important in the climate change management of these risks. These hazards include:

•Contamination

•Urban heat

•UV radiation

•Transporting of dangerous goods

•Failure of infrastructure

2. Additions made to LSPS actions

Addition to action 1.1: Plan for resilience to climate Sustainability - 32 change, urban hazards and failure due to shocks and Priority 1 Adapt stresses; to climate This will include:… Establishing planning controls to change appropriately manage the risks and impacts of all urban and natural hazards affecting Inner West…

Addition to action 1.2: Mitigate the impacts of Urban Heat Island Effect in both the private and public domain. This will be achieved through: … Establishing planning controls for well-designed built/natural shade in the public/private domain to mitigate urban heat impacts Short to long term

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Addition to action 7.1: Develop DCP controls that Liveability - 43 provide for a rich diversity of functional, safe and Priority 7: connected urban spaces. Provide for a This will be achieved by requiring:… Adequate sunlight rich diversity of and shade for public spaces functional, safe and enjoyable urban spaces connected with and enhanced by their surroundings

5.5.Penrith LGA • LSPS name: Penrith LSPS

• Geography: Metropolitan

• Local Health District: Nepean Blue Mountains

• Melanoma of skin (Age standardised incidence rate 2012-2016): 38.8

• Type of submission to draft LSPS made by the Institute: Tailored

Table 23: Penrith LSPS – inclusion of shade & UV issues Additions made to final LSPS relating to shade Planning priority/ LSPS & UV issues action Page 1. Addition made to LSPS vision Under the ‘Healthy’ subheading of the LSPS Vision of the LSPS is: 18 vision, the following was added: ‘In 2036, our City Our planning provides opportunities for remains unique, we shade trees to create cool and comfortable have capitalised on our neighbourhoods and provide us protection opportunities, and our from UV radiation. City is connected, healthy, innovative and balanced’ 2. Additions made to LSPS explanatory text Council provides for local infrastructure, Planning Priority 1: 27 including parks, playgrounds, shade Align development, structures, local roads and community halls…. growth and infrastructure Increasing and connecting urban tree canopies Planning Priority 18: 88 across our City will create shading and assist Connect our green and in mitigating the effects of urban heat. blue grid We also know that specific targeted building Planning Priority 21: 104 and design responses can go a long way to Cool our city mitigating urban heat. Some of these responses include:

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…increasing shade to hard surfaced areas… [although also note the inclusion of “using light-coloured surfaces to promote reflectivity of building roofs, paved surfaces and facades” which can increase exposure to UV radiation while reducing the heat island effect]

5.6.Blue Mountains LGA • LSPS name: Blue Mountains 2040 Living Sustainably LSPS

• Geography: Metropolitan

• Local Health District: Nepean Blue Mountains

• Melanoma of skin (Age standardised incidence rate 2012-2016): 48.9

• Type of submission to draft LSPS made by the Institute: Tailored

Table 24: Blue Mountains LSPS – inclusion of shade & UV issues Additions made to final LSPS relating to shade & UV issues Planning priority/action LSPS Page

1. Additions made to LSPS explanatory text

Urban tree canopy can mitigate heat, provide Local Planning Priority 1: 40 shade for protection from overexposure to UV Living sustainably in the radiation, support cleaner air and water and City within a World provide local habitat and connectivity to Heritage National Park – surrounding bushland section on ‘biodiversity

Bush fire threat is the most extreme natural hazard Local Planning Priority 2: 51 affecting the Blue Mountains community. However, Managing bushfire risk and storms, flooding, hail as well as changes in responding to climate temperature extremes (and exposure to change in our unique increased UV radiation) are key natural hazards environment - description to which we must adapt over the next 20 years under ‘Natural hazards’

…include the development of a Public Art Policy Local Planning Priority 4: 69 (Action 4.10). This will consider and outline Strengthening Creativity, opportunities for the use of land in the public Culture and the Blue domain (both its infrastructure and access ways) to Mountains as a City of the integrate and embed high quality art and creative Arts – description of Public elements into the urban fabric of the City. These Arts Policy elements can be functional (such as shade structures or street furniture), but can also contribute to beauty and amenity. Master planning

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Additions made to final LSPS relating to shade & UV issues Planning priority/action LSPS Page

of town centres will be a key process to highlight this new approach

5.7.Woollahra LGA • LSPS name: Woollahra Local Strategic Planning Statement

• Geography: Metropolitan

• Local Health District: South Eastern Sydney

• Melanoma of skin (Age standardised incidence rate 2012-2016): 58.1

• Type of submission to draft LSPS made by the Institute: Tailored

Table 25: Woollahra LSPS – inclusion of shade & UV issues Additions made to final LSPS relating to shade & UV issues Planning Priority / Action LSPS Page

1. Additions made to LSPS explanatory text

Consistent with our strategies, we continue to Planning Priority 1: 21 work on improving access to a range of safe and Planning for integrated convenient transport infrastructure. Examples of land use and transport initiatives include upgraded footpaths, cycleways, for a healthy, provision of shade, encouraging shared sustainable, connected vehicles and ensuring electric vehicle chargers community and a 30- are provided in the public domain and private minute city. development.

Our neighbourhoods, villages and places Planning Priority 6: 41 provide:…. comfortable environments to walk Placemaking supports through, sit, stand, play, talk, read, or just relax and maintains the local without exposure to unpleasant noise, heat, rain, character of our traffic, pollution or UV radiation neighbourhoods and villages whilst creating great places for people.

Bushland areas, remnant vegetation and urban Planning Priority 11: 62 green cover support local biodiversity, provide Conserving and habitat, help to cool the environment, support enhancing and cleaner air and waterways and provide shade connecting our diverse for protection from over-exposure to UV and healthy green spaces radiation. and habitat, including bushland, tree canopy, gardens and parklands

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Additions made to final LSPS relating to shade & UV issues Planning Priority / Action LSPS Page

2. New LSPS Action

21. Continue to encourage the provision of well- Planning Priority 2: 30 designed and appropriate shade in all Planning for a community developments, public domain, recreational supported by facilities and other relevant infrastructure. infrastructure that fosters health, creativity, cultural activities and social connections.

3. Additions made to LSPS Actions

4 - Work with neighbouring councils and Planning Priority 1: 23 government agencies to deliver safe active Planning for integrated transport links, particularly cycling and walking land use and transport paths and supporting infrastructure. Examples for a healthy, include end of trip facilities, shade and wider sustainable, connected footpaths. These links should connect our community and a 30- community to local centres where they can minute city. access local jobs, services, retail and entertainment.

11. Increase street plantings and tree canopy along streetscapes and pathways to provide shade and a healthy, visually appealing setting for walking, cycling and enjoying the public domain.

5.8.Maitland • LSPS name: Maitland LSPS 2040+

• Geography: Regional large city

• Local Health District: Hunter New England

• Melanoma of skin (Age standardised incidence rate 2012-2016): 68.2

• Type of submission to draft LSPS made by the Institute: Tailored

Table 26: Maitland LSPS – inclusion of shade & UV issues Planning Priority Additions made to final LSPS relating to shade & UV issues / Action LSPS Page

1. Additions made to LSPS explanatory text

An entire new paragraph was added: Local Planning 40 Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Australia and Priority – 06 Plan

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Planning Priority Additions made to final LSPS relating to shade & UV issues / Action LSPS Page

caused by overexposure to UV radiation from the sun. For Healthy, Across NSW, UV radiation levels are high enough to damage Culturally Rich unprotected skin for at least 10 months of a year. Well and Socially designed and correctly positioned shade, from both built Connected structures and natural vegetation can reduce exposure to Communities UV radiation. Council will assist in the provision of shade throughout its public and open spaces and will encourage for its provision in private development. Shade contributes to people feeling more comfortable in being outside and encourages walking and cycling while protects them from UV radiation.

2. New LSPS Actions

Council will review and update its DCP to enable effective Local Planning 40 consideration of well-designed built and natural shades, Priority – 06 Plan consistent with the best practice. For Healthy, Culturally Rich Short term time frame – MCC responsibility and Socially Connected Communities

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5.9.Lismore • LSPS name: Inspire Lismore 2040: Lismore LSPS

• Geography: Regional city

• Local Health District: Northern NSW LHD

• Melanoma of skin (Age standardised incidence rate 2012-2016): 82.8

• Type of submission to draft LSPS made by the Institute: No submission made

In 1999, Lismore Council produced what is believed to be the only Community Sun Protection Policy produced by a NSW LGA. Amongst many other issues, this Policy contained specific recommendations about the provision of shade, and recommended specific changes to Council’s Development Control Plan.

The Institute was unfortunately unable to make a submission to Lismore’s draft LSPS. However, this case study provides an example of where a Council has already considered shade issues in its LSPS, and where there is opportunity for the Institute to follow through with Council staff to ensure that planning for shade is included in the implementation of the LSPS. In particular, the Community Sun Protection Policy should be followed up with Council. Aspects of it should also be used to recommend local policy for other NSW LGAs.

Table 27: Lismore LSPS – inclusion of shade issues Information in final LSPS relating to shade & UV issues Planning Priority / Action

Action 14.6: Investigate a target for tree canopy and green Planning Priority 14 - cover in Lismore urban and village streets to achieve increased Build community shading (as needed). Prepare a program to plant more shade resilience and adapt to trees on urban and village streets and develop funding options climate change for the program including through developer contributions. (under Theme 5 – Street trees should be incorporated into walking / cycling paths. Climate Resilience)

5.10. Upper Hunter • LSPS name: Upper Hunter LSPS 2019

• Geography: Rural

• Local Health District: Hunter New England

• Melanoma of skin (Age standardised incidence rate 2012-2016): 49.7

• Type of submission to draft LSPS made by the Institute: Generic

Upper Hunter draft LSPS contained an entire Planning Priority, with ‘Policy Positions’ and four Actions specifically relating to shade. The information appeared to be sourced from the NSW Shade Working Group’s Example LSPS text as described in the Method section. Planning staff at Upper Hunter Shire Council also had a professional relationship with the author of the Example text and the author of this report, and hence were already aware of the importance of

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shade issues. (Note that the author of this report had no part in the preparation of the draft LSPS.)

The final LSPS contained the same detailed information, and the table below shows the inclusion of these issues within the draft (and final) LSPS.

Table 28: Upper Hunter Draft LSPS – inclusion of shade & UV issues LSPS Content relating to shade & UV issues 7.0.15 Planning Priority: Provide healthy places to live, work and visit by encouraging the provision of shade ‘Rationale’ It is likely that the Upper Hunter Shire will experience more frequent, longer and more extreme periods of uncomfortable summertime heat and heat wave events in the future. The provision of quality places with shade throughout the LGA will be one of the most cost-effective ways to address this situation in the long term, and has the co-benefit of protecting us from UV exposure. Natural and built shade can be easily included in planning processes for developments, particularly in urban areas. Well-designed shade, effectively planned and correctly positioned, can also alleviate concerns about needing to remove or modify trees to address engineering, wiring or maintenance issues. Well-designed shade uses a combination of natural and built shade to provide protection from UV radiation where it is needed, at the right time of day and at the right time of year (Cancer Council NSW, 2013 and NSW Department of Planning and Environment 2019). ‘Policy Position’: Consider the provision of well-designed shade, both natural and built, in the provision of all public infrastructure, from large developments such as major recreation facilities, public buildings and town centre upgrades, to the smallest public domain improvements such as bus shelters. Encourage the provision of well-designed shade in all private developments, particularly recreation facilities and those that adjoin public places, such as commercial developments. Consider the co-benefits of shade in all decisions about infrastructure provision and maintenance. Actions: Action Timeframe Responsibility

4.10 The Upper Hunter Development Control Plan Medium Director 2015 will be reviewed to incorporate design Environmental & considerations regarding the provision of Community well-designed shade, with reference to the Services latest shade guidelines. 4.11 The Upper Hunter Engineering Guidelines for Long Director Subdivisions and Developments will be Environmental & updated to include specifications for the Community provision of well-designed shade. Services 4.12 Council will prioritise well-designed shade in Short Director its provision of new and upgraded public Environmental & infrastructure and spaces.

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LSPS Content relating to shade & UV issues Community Services 4.13 Council will consider retrofitting current Long Director public infrastructure and spaces to include Infrastructure well designed shade. Services *Timeframe: Short = 1 year (2020), Medium = 4 years (2020-2025), Long = 5+years

5.11. Muswellbrook LGA • LSPS name: Muswellbrook Local Strategic Planning Statement 2020 - 2040

• Geography: Rural

• Local Health District: Hunter New England

• Melanoma of skin (Age standardised incidence rate 2012-2016): 61.2

• Type of submission to draft LSPS made by the Institute: Generic, and ‘advance letter’ also sent

It should be noted that Muswellbrook LGA is adjacent to the Upper Hunter LGA mentioned above.

Table 29: Muswellbrook LSPS – inclusion of shade & UV issues Planning Priority / Additions made to final LSPS relating to shade & UV issues Action LSPS Page 1. Additions made to ‘Planning Principle’ The Planning Principles that we will apply when making Planning 30 decisions:… Priority 11: Well-designed shade, both natural and built, is provided in public Our infrastructure projects and private development, such as, public Community buildings and town centre upgrades, public domain is safe, improvements, recreation facilities and commercial development healthy that adjoins public places… and active

2. Action added to LSPS Council will review the DCP and Engineering Design specifications Planning 31 to: Priority 11: a) incorporate design considerations regarding the provision of Our well-designed shade, with reference to the latest shade Community guidelines; is safe, healthy b) require well-designed shade in any private buildings or and active developments that adjoin public places that are likely to have

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significant visitation (e.g. high pedestrian traffic or people visiting or pausing in public spaces); c) require the provision of well-designed shade in recreation facilities; d) require the provision of well-designed shade in the design of any public infrastructure; e) require the consideration of the benefits of shade in any application to remove trees or vegetation currently providing significant shade and communicate to residents the benefits of shade; and f) encourage the provision of well-chosen and well-placed street trees in residential or public domain developments.

Timeframe: medium term

5.12. Snowy Valleys LGA • LSPS name: ENVISAGE 2040: Our Path to a Sustainable Future - Draft Local Strategic Planning Statement

• Geography: Rural

• Local Health District: Murrumbidgee

• Melanoma of skin (Age standardised incidence rate 2012-2016): 55.9

• Type of submission to draft LSPS made by the Institute: Generic

Table 30: Snowy Valleys LSPS – inclusion of shade & UV issues Additions made to final LSPS LSPS relating to shade & UV issues Planning Priority / Action Page

1. Additions made to LSPS explanatory text

Consideration of the provision of TOWNS AND VILLAGES: PLANNING 29 well-designed shade, both natural PRIORITY 3 and built, in the provision of all public infrastructure, form large Enhance residential and commercial developments such as major precincts to create and maintain visually recreation facilities, public attractive, connected places, whilst buildings and town centre reinforcing the towns and villages upgrades, to the smallest domain atmospheres by also ensuring that improvements such as bus shelters building design and construction is of high needs to occur. quality that preserves and enriches resident amenity.

2. Additions made to LSPS ‘Monitoring and reporting’

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M10 Review the Snowy Valleys TOWNS AND VILLAGES: PLANNING 30 Development Control Plan 2019 by PRIORITY 3 December 2020 with a view to introduce more detailed place- Enhance residential and commercial based development guidelines precincts to create and maintain visually cogitating the NSW Government’s attractive, connected places, whilst ‘Local Character and Place reinforcing the towns and villages Guideline’ and incorporate design atmospheres by also ensuring that considerations regarding the building design and construction is of high provision of well-designed shade. quality that preserves and enriches resident amenity.

5.13. Newcastle LGA • LSPS name: Planning Newcastle 2040: Global City, Local Character - Newcastle LSPS

• Geography: Regional city

• Local Health District: Hunter New England

• Melanoma of skin (Age standardised incidence rate 2012-2016): 62.6

• Type of submission to draft LSPS made by the Institute: Tailored

Table 31: Newcastle LSPS – inclusion of shade & UV issues LSPS Additions made to final LSPS relating to shade & UV issues Planning Priority Page

1. Additions made to LSPS ‘Rationales’

Urban green spaces have many benefits to our health and Planning Priority 4: 34 wellbeing and are vital for biodiversity. Green spaces can Green our enhance wellbeing by facilitating physical activity, social neighbourhoods interaction and relaxation. Well-designed green spaces also improve air quality, reduce ambient temperature, protect us from UV exposure, store carbon, reduce flooding impacts and improve the quality of stormwater run-off.

It is likely that we will experience more frequent, longer and Planning Priority 7: 37 more extreme periods of uncomfortable summertime heat Plan for climate and heat wave events in the future. The provision of change and build quality shade will be one of the most cost-effective resilience ways to address this in the long term and has the co- benefit of protecting us from UV exposure.

2. Additions made to LSPS ‘Principles’

Upgrades to residential streets and local centres incorporate Planning Priority 4: 34 green spaces and natural or built shading. Green our neighbourhoods

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LSPS Additions made to final LSPS relating to shade & UV issues Planning Priority Page

Additional public green spaces and the provision of natural and built shade are included in planning for the mixed-use Catalyst Areas, Strategic Centres, Urban Renewal Corridors and Housing Release Areas.

3. Additions made to LSPS ‘Actions’

1.1 Review and update the Newcastle Cycling Strategy and Planning Priority 1: 31 Action Plan to guide the growth of cycling and active transport Prioritise active networks with the Newcastle Transport Strategy, and transport in our include… Respond to the importance of cool transport City corridors in encouraging use of active transport and identify opportunities to incorporate shade along active transport routes.

4.1.Review Newcastle Development Control Plan provisions Planning Priority 4: 34 for landscaped and impervious area, shade and vegetation Green our management including opportunities to use green roofs and neighbourhoods walls.

7.3 Investigate opportunities to incorporate provisions in the Planning Priority 7: 37 Newcastle Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan for climate Plan to address urban heat island impacts and reduce UV change and build exposure. resilience

9.3 In conjunction with local character assessments and the Planning Priority 9: 39 Local Centres Program identify spaces in neighbourhoods Sustainable, where people can gather, such as community gardens and healthy and seating, which incorporate well-designed shade. inclusive streets, neighbourhoods and local centres

5.14. Tweed LGA • LSPS name: Local Strategic Planning Statement Draft - 2020

• Geography: Regional city

• Local Health District: Northern NSW

• Melanoma of skin (Age standardised incidence rate 2012-2016): 91.4

• Type of submission to draft LSPS made by the Institute: Tailored

Table 32: Tweed LSPS – inclusion of shade & UV issues Additions made to final LSPS LSPS relating to shade & UV issues Planning Priority / Action Page

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Additions made to LSPS ‘Actions’

1.5 Evaluate introducing new Planning Priority 1: Protect the Tweed’s 25 development incentives targeting significant natural environment, resources water sensitive urban design, and landscape qualities, while cultivating built and natural shade, sustainable growth and development, renewable energy and sustainable which promotes the health and vitality of and renewable materials. the community

1.6 Promote the greening of Planning Priority 1: Protect the Tweed’s 25 urban areas to mitigate the heat significant natural environment, resources island effect, help protect and landscape qualities, while cultivating against over-exposure to UV sustainable growth and development, radiation, improve urban which promotes the health and vitality of biodiversity, amenity and air the community quality, and achieve an increase in tree canopy across the LGA.

8.10 Promote good design within Planning Priority 8: Revitalise and 43 the public domain to provide an promote Tweed Heads as a vibrant, attractive, safe, appropriately contemporary and sustainable regional shaded and connected city. streetscape environment for walking and socialising

5.15. Nambucca Valley LGA • LSPS name: Nambucca Valley Local Strategic Planning Statement

• Geography: Rural

• Local Health District: Mid North Coast

• Melanoma of skin (Age standardised incidence rate 2012-2016): 79.5

• Type of submission to draft LSPS made by the Institute: Generic

Table 33: Nambucca Valley LSPS – inclusion of shade & UV issues Planning Additions made to final LSPS relating to shade & UV issues Priority / Action LSPS Page

1. Items already in draft LSPS

Land Use Planning / Community and Place Goals includes Planning 11 and 13 "Promote healthy living choices by providing opportunities Priority 1 for walking, cycling and public transport. Walkable streets (Community that are attractive, legible, well connected, safe and and Place) shaded”.

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Land Use Planning / Environment Goals includes Planning 12 and 32 "Landscaping in built environments and public domain which Priority 2 (The promote visual relief, comfort, shade and urban habitat”. Environment in the Nambucca Valley)

2. Additions made to LSPS explanatory text

Under ‘Risk Areas and Climate Change’: Planning 36 Priority 2 (The Infrastructure upgrades and asset management can be Environment in designed to accommodate more intense weather conditions the Nambucca such as rainfall and increases in temperature. For instance Valley) place based civic improvements provide an opportunity to reduce urban microclimates and heat island effects using landscaping, street trees and shade structures.

3. Additions made to LSPS ‘Actions’

1.20 Strategic planning and urban design strategies and Planning 30 and 71 plans will ensure shade is core to design principles. Council Priority 1 will actively promote and seek resources to provide shade in (Community public areas. and Place)

Indicative timeframe: immediate

Measures: Occasions and nature of active engagement

Related Strategies and Plans: North Coast Regional Plan, Nambucca Valley Council engagement strategy and Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan and various masterplans and place-based landscape urban design plan

5.16. Queanbeyan–Palerang LGA • LSPS name: Local Strategic Planning Statement - Towards 2040

• Geography: Regional city

• Local Health District: Southern NSW

• Melanoma of skin (Age standardised incidence rate 2012-2016): 40.6

• Type of submission to draft LSPS made by the Institute: Generic, and ‘advance letter’ also sent.

This LSPS appeared to incorporate many aspects of the NSW Shade Working Group’s Suggestions for inclusion of LSPS text into its final LSPS (which was sent as an attachment to all generic submissions).

Table 34: Queanbeyan–Palerang LSPS – inclusion of shade & UV issues

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Additions made to final LSPS relating to shade & UV Planning Priority issues / Action LSPS Page

Additions made to LSPS ‘Actions’

4.2.1 Ensure new developments are provided with Planning Priority 23 and 73 appropriate open space and play equipment including 2 - we have an well designed shade. active and healthy lifestyle Monitoring and reporting:

Council standards for open space and recreational infrastructure support new development, Contribution Plans, planning agreements and include incentives to maximise potential uplift in amenity from improvements

4.3.1 Undertake the land-use planning action Planning Priority 24 and 74 recommendations of the 2019 Queanbeyan CBD 3 - We will Spatial Masterplan and Queanbeyan CBD Place Plan continue the and ensure well designed shade is provided. ongoing revitalisation of Monitoring and reporting: the Queanbeyan Relevant LEP and planning controls updated. CBD, suburban centres and rural Queanbeyan CBD Place Plan implemented village

4.10.6 Consider the provision of well-designed shade, Planning Priority 30 and 81 both natural and built, in the provision of all public 10 - We plan for infrastructure, from large developments such as major and provide recreation facilities, public buildings and town centre regional facilities upgrades, to the smallest public domain improvements which promote such as bus shelters. better social connection and Monitoring and reporting: access for the Incorporation of Guidelines to Shade (Cancer Council community NSW) and Better Places (NSW Government Architect) guidelines into DCPs, specifications and relevant Plans of Management

Monitoring and reporting for Action 4.5.6 (Design and Planning Priority 76 provide places and spaces that are healthy to live in, 5 - We Consider to work in and to visit DCPs): the Environmental Incorporation of Guidelines to Shade (Cancer Council Impacts of NSW) and Better Places (NSW Government Architect) Future guidelines into DCPs and relevant Plans of Development Management.

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Conclusions and recommendations

6.1. Conclusions The submissions made by the Institute to local councils across NSW regarding their draft Local Strategic Planning Statements (LSPSs) resulted in 55 final LSPSs (at the time of writing) containing at least one reference to shade, and to a lesser extent, UV. Many councils included more substantial information relating to shade and UV. Significantly, there are now 13 metropolitan councils and 18 regional councils that have included some reference to shade in at least one action of their final LSPS.

Of the 109 submissions made by the Institute to LSPSs during 2109-2020 (from a total number of 128 NSW councils), 74% (n=23) of the 31 tailored submissions resulted in a successful (or partially successful) outcome for shade & UV inclusion in the final LSPSs, and the 78 generic submissions resulted in 41% (n=32) being successful (or partially successful).

It should be noted that at the time of writing, there were still another 19 final LSPSs that had not been researched, meaning that these numbers could be significantly higher.

Details of this success are given in the previous section Inclusion of shade and UV in LSPSs – how effective were the submissions?.

Whether or not shade and UV issues were included in final LSPSs, and in what level of detail, appeared largely unrelated to the amount of detail included in submissions made by the Institute, and unrelated to any other variables such as melanoma incidence or size and location of the council. It is assumed that other issues relating to each councils’ process and preparation of its LSPS had more influence on the outcome than the ‘strength’ of each submission made by the Institute.

From a land use planner’s perspective, the success of having such a specific issue as shade and UV policy included in LSPSs is significant, and it would appear that the awareness of these issues by NSW local government planning staff has been significantly raised by this project.

Understandably, staff preparing LSPSs throughout the state had a myriad of planning issues to consider, and shade would not have been one of their pressing concerns in preparing their LSPSs, especially where numerous, often detailed, community and organisation submissions were received by councils for their draft LSPSs. It is not surprising that many councils did not take up any of the Institute’s suggestions for additions to LSPSs. However, anecdotal feedback has shown that the detailed submissions made by the Institute have been noticed, especially since shade and UV is not commonly dealt with by planners, so the subject has stood out as being somewhat memorable, and worthy of further consideration (even where it was not placed directly into an LSPS).

The extent to which the project has met its objectives are summarised in the following table.

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Table 35: Extent to which the project has met its objectives Objective of project Analysis

Build local government area (LGA) Since LGA planners’ knowledge of UV and shade planners’ knowledge about the evidence started from a minimal base, it is assumed that for the benefits and requirements of built the detailed submissions made by the Institute and natural shade for reduction of UV have built their knowledge substantially. The exposure, in addition to the more well- pleasing uptake of specific shade and UV known co-benefits of shade including; information, and particularly specific Actions in increased thermal comfort; reduced LSPSs across the state has shown that the build-up of heat in urban areas (the heat submissions generally made their impact. island effect); increased use of public spaces for physical activity and social connectivity; environmental benefits.

Increase healthy built environment and As above; shade provision is one of the aspects shade consideration and prioritisation in of a healthy built environment, and any small planning policy. step to increasing its priority is a significant step for planning in individual council areas. Its inclusion in a range of LSPS Actions across the state is a significant step in prioritising shade in local government planning policy for the next 20 years.

Influence increased availability and The project itself has not materially resulted in access to shade for residents in public increased availability and access to shade in spaces, recreational areas and housing NSW. It should be noted that the planning developments in LGA's to address horizon of LSPSs is 20 years, and the inclusion of inequities in access to shade and shade in them may mean that it will take some variations in melanoma incidence in years for the implementation of shade actions to NSW LGAs. become apparent, and for equity in shade access and availability to be able to be measured.

However, since the project had success in raising the awareness of the importance of shade across NSW councils, it is hoped that the increased, thoughtful provision of well-designed built and natural shade ‘on the ground’ will incrementally and eventually be realised, particularly if the Institute can follow through on various recommendations of this report as given below.

It would be beneficial for the Institute and other interested organisations to build on the success of the project and continue to advocate to NSW councils for planning, timely provision and realistic budgeting of well-designed shade. This project has laid the groundwork for this ongoing work, placing shade and UV issues for the first time in a significant proportion of NSW councils’ planning policies. This report and accompanying database also provide the framework and evidence to inform ongoing advocacy, and importantly provides specific suggestions for targeted actions in the future. Specific recommendations are given in the section below.

In addition to the project successes, it is useful to understand some of the challenges of the project:

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• As noted in sections previously, there were a significant number of councils who did not add any information on shade or UV to their final LSPSs, even missing the opportunity to include a small number of words in explanatory text (eg simply adding ‘shade’ to the benefits of increasing tree canopy).

It is important not to link these cases to the perceived strength of the Institute’s submissions. As explained above, planners (and ultimately Councillors) in NSW councils have had to deal with a myriad of issues related to land use planning, and the final content of LSPSs is influenced by many factors, not just the content of any submissions received. The initial structure and content of a draft LSPS can have a great influence on the types of changes that a council is willing to make in the final LSPS (for example changing whole planning priorities or adding too many more actions is problematic). The sophistication or complexity of council staffs’ methodology and decision making processes for final LSPS content will also influence the types of changes made. Often their time is consumed with the most pressing community and/or political matters faced in the LSPS (for example housing provision) and perceived ‘less important’ issues (like shade) will not receive the same attention. However, this project has shown that councils will engage with shade as a health issue in spite of it not being one of the key planning issues facing councils.

• As explained previously, this project did not seek to record all instances where closely related issues such as ‘the urban tree canopy/urban greening strategy’ or ‘urban heat mitigation’ were mentioned in LSPSs. Therefore there may be other specific LSPS Actions that the Institute could explore further.

6.2. Recommendations This section presents specific NSW council land use planning related recommendations arising from the findings of this report. It should be noted that the author [of these recommendations and of the report] is a Registered Planner with local government expertise, rather than a public health professional.

It is strongly recommended that an experienced planner be involved in the Institute’s execution of these recommendations. The complexity and nuances of the NSW planning system, and of local government planning policy and practice need to be firmly understood when following through and advocating to councils. There is otherwise a risk that well- intentioned suggestions from the Institute could be overlooked or brushed aside by council staff if they are not articulated in an achievable way and framed in correct planning terms.

Each of the recommendations is likely to greatly increase the likelihood of shade related provisions in LSPSs being implemented by NSW local councils. Where a recommendation states that the Institute should follow up or encourage a council, then in the first instance, a detailed letter could be forwarded to the council, then followed up with personal contact, using the accompanying project database for reference.

The recommendations are summarised in the table below, and a simple ‘priority’ is given to each to reflect its relative order of importance. Each recommendation is explained in more detail following the summary table.

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Summary of recommendations The following table is a summary of the recommendations that follow in this section. Each recommendation has been assigned a priority between 1 (most important) to 3 (least important).

Table 36: Summary of project recommendations - prioritised Priority No. Summary of recommendation (1-3)

1 Follow up final LSPSs to add to final database and report 1

2 Follow up specific LSPS Actions where shade has been identified 1

3 Follow up Development Control Plan preparation and ‘model’ DCP clauses 1

4 Follow up future council strategies/plans mentioned in LSPSs and/or 1 Council reports

5 Ensure a planning lens is applied when implementing the 1 recommendations of the report

6 Leverage the focus on ‘the urban tree canopy’ and public open space 1

7 Leverage the focus on ‘heat mitigation’ 1

8 Leverage the focus on ‘quality urban design’ 1

9 Follow up UV as a natural hazard 2

10 Follow up preparation of UV and Shade Strategies and use of ‘Guidelines 2 to Shade’

11 Match data in this project with concurrent ‘Shade Benchmarking in NSW 2 playgrounds Project’

12 Continue to monitor urban tree canopy cover to inform council policy and 2 LSPS updates

13 Leverage the focus on ‘climate change adaptation’ 2

14 Leverage the focus on ‘sustainability’ 2

15 Engage with Joint Organisations of Councils 2

16 Engage with professional & industry associations 2

17 Follow up previous council strategies and policies that have relevance to 3 shade

18 Follow up LSPS reviews in 7 years 3

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Follow up final LSPSs to add to final database and report By the conclusion of this project, there were still several LSPS that had not appeared on the DPIE Planning Portal (https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/publications/local-strategic- planning-statements) where all LSPSs are placed after being finalised. It is recommended that these be reviewed when finalised. This includes Hawkesbury Council, and several regional councils.

There are also a number of final regional LSPSs that were not reviewed as part of this project, which should ideally be reviewed to ascertain if they include any mentions of shade and UV. Generic LSPS submissions were sent to these councils, but they were not followed up as their priority was lower than the LSPSs for which tailored submissions were made. They are:

• Armidale Regional Council • Balranald Shire Council • Blayney Shire Council • Goulburn-Mulwaree Council • Kempsey Shire Council • Liverpool Plains Shire Council • Lockhart Shire Council • Murrumbidgee Council • Narrandera Shire Council • Oberon Council • Parkes Shire Council • Temora Shire Council • Tenterfield Shire Council • Upper Lachlan Shire Council • Uralla Shire Council • Wagga Wagga City Council • Walcha Council • Walgett Shire Council • Warren Shire Council • Warrumbungle Shire Council • Weddin Shire Council • Wentworth Shire Council.

Follow up specific LSPS Actions where shade has been identified It is recommended that the Institute follow up every council where an LSPS includes one or more specific Actions relating to shade and/or UV. The list of relevant councils and Actions is found in Table 18: Local Strategic Planning Statements where shade &/or UV issues are included in specific LSPS actions.

Follow up Development Control Plan preparation and ‘model’ DCP clauses It is recommended that the Institute follow up each council where an LSPS, or the council report outlining the final LSPS, suggests that shade issues be included in a future update of council’s Development Control Plan (DCP). The list of relevant councils is found in Table 18: Local Strategic Planning Statements where shade &/or UV issues are included in specific LSPS actions – search for ‘DCP’ or ‘Development Control Plan’. The project database can also be searched for the same terms.

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Each council’s DCP includes detailed local requirements for developments that applicants and councils use when preparing and assessing Development Applications for specific developments in the LGA. As such, it is perhaps the key planning document to influence regarding the consideration of shade in future developments in any LGA.

It should also be noted that DPIE has had a project underway for some time to standardise the contents of NSW DCPs, and has alluded to a future library of model clauses that will be developed by DPIE, from which councils could use in their own DCPs. See https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Policy-and-Legislation/Environmental-Planning-and- Assessment-Act-updated/Guide-to-the-updated-Environmental-Planning-and-Assessment-Act- 1979/Part-4-Development-controls-and-approvals

At the time of writing, the DCP project had still not reached public exhibition stage. It is recommended that the Institute keep in contact with DPIE and offer to assist in preparing model clauses regarding the consideration of shade in developments.

Follow up future council strategies/plans mentioned in LSPSs and/or Council reports The preparation of future strategies, policies and plans that potentially have relevance to shade planning and provision were mentioned in many LSPSs, or in the reports to council relating to the adoption of the LSPSs. Their existence was captured in the project database. It is recommended that these various policies/strategies/plans are followed up with the relevant councils, to ensure that shade provision is adequately considered in them. The Institute may need to watch for these documents being placed on public exhibition on the relevant council websites.

The table below lists strategies/policies/plans that were noted through the project. Note that some of the items in the table are specific LSPS Actions (and therefore captured in other parts of this report). There are also additional LSPS Actions relating to future plans that are not specifically captured in the table below that need to be followed up with councils – these need to be referenced from previous tables in this document, particularly Table 18: Local Strategic Planning Statements where shade and/or UV issues are included within ‘Planning Principles or Policy Positions’.

Table 37: Recommended future council policies, strategies etc to follow up Council Recommended follow-up of future Council strategies/policies etc

Regional councils Central Coast Council Active Lifestyles Strategy Housing Strategy Related Development Control Plans Greener Places Strategy Playspace strategy Kyogle Council Kyogle Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Plan (2019) – includes an "adaptation initiative to increase shade around playgrounds, sporting facilities, town centres and open spaces". See https://www.kyogle.nsw.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2019- FINAL-CCRA-KYOGLE.pdf

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Council Recommended follow-up of future Council strategies/policies etc

DCP review re: shade provision in relation to Actions B1.3 and A3.2 re: residential and tourism development Coffs Harbour City Town Centre masterplans Council Bathurst Regional 'Cooling the Region Strategy' development as per LSPS Action 15.5 Council Maitland City Council DCP update MidCoast Council As stated in 23/9/20 Council report: The provision of shade could be a consideration of the Open Space and Recreation Needs Assessment that will inform the development of the Open Space Strategy for the MidCoast. The development of the Strategy is an action of the LSPS. The Greening Strategy will guide how we manage, maintain, sustain and enhance urban greening across the MidCoast. A potential outcome of the Greening Strategy is a shade for parks program. Newcastle City LSPS Action 7.3 re updating 'Development Control Plan to address Council urban heat island impacts and reduce UV exposure' LSPS Action 9.3 re local character assessments and the Local Centres Program to 'identify spaces in neighbourhoods where people can gather, such as community gardens and seating, which incorporate well-designed shade'. The Institute made contact with Council in July 2020 to offer their support following Council’s inclusion of shade and UV wording in the final LSPS. Further correspondence was occurring at the time of writing this report. Shoalhaven City LSPS Collaboration Activity: CA11.2: Continue to partner, where Council appropriate, with the Cancer Council of NSW on initiatives to provide increased shade and UV protection. Note that the Cancer Institute NSW also made a submission to Shoalhaven City Council. Tamworth Regional DCP review and incorporation of UV as a natural hazard into Council's Council wider planning strategy / specific projects Tweed Shire Council LSPS Action 1.5: Evaluate introducing new development incentives targeting water sensitive urban design, built and natural shade, renewable energy and sustainable and renewable materials. Goulburn-Mulwaree The council report regarding the final LSPS mentioned future policies. Council Murray River Council Possible development of a Sun Protection Policy. The Institute mentioned this to Council in an email on 22 June 2020. Orange City Council LSPS action: prepare planning controls for the LEP and DCP to address the hazard of Ultra-Violet (UV) radiation and the need for shade within the public and private realms Snowy Valleys LSPS ‘monitoring’ item: Review of Snowy Valleys Development Control Council Plan 2019 by December 2020 with a view to introduce more detailed place-based development guidelines cogitating the NSW Government’s

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Council Recommended follow-up of future Council strategies/policies etc

‘Local Character and Place Guideline’ and incorporate design considerations regarding the provision of well-designed shade. Upper Hunter Shire DCP and Engineering Guidelines provisions Council Muswellbrook Shire DCP and Engineering Design specifications – in relation to Council comprehensive Action relating to shade Bland Shire Council DCP update re LSPS Action 1.3 Snowy Monaro DCP provisions relating to shade as noted in LSPS Action and Regional Council monitoring table Liverpool Plains Shire Werris Creek and Quirindi place making strategies (LSPS Action 9.6) Council Metropolitan councils City of Canada Bay LSPS Actions 4.1 and 16.1, 2, 3 and 4 especially re DCP changes and

Council inclusion of Guidelines to Shade and actions relating to urban tree canopy Northern Beaches Public Domain Design Guidelines Interim consolidation 2019

Council Public Space Vision and Design Guidelines – the Institute made a submission in May 2020 https://yoursay.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/northern-beaches- public-space-vision-and-design-guidelines The final updated PSV&DG document will be put on public exhibition in latter 2020. Hornsby Shire Environmental Sustainability Strategy (draft may have already been

Council prepared) will address Climate Change Adaptation, Urban Heat, Water Sensitivity, Urban Forest and Biodiversity Management. Council has recently established a ‘Strategy and Place Unit’ that will “look at opportunities to improve public space and identify key actions aimed at improving the liveability of the Shire” Hornsby Play Plan Walking and Cycling Plan

Burwood Council LSPS Action 16.1 Resilience Strategy - note that in Planning Priority 16 it is noted “the provision of quality shade throughout the LGA will be one of the most cost effective ways to address extreme heat in the long term and has the co-benefit of protecting people from UV exposure. Natural and built shade can easily be included in planning processes for developments. The latest Guidelines to Change developed by the Cancer Council NSW are a practical tool to assist in the design of quality shade.” LSPS Action 11.1 Prepare a street tree masterplan to prioritise tree canopy in locations experiencing greatest vulnerability to heat impacts and those that form part of the active transport network.

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Council Recommended follow-up of future Council strategies/policies etc

LSPS Action 11.2 Evaluate controls to facilitate increased tree canopy coverage across the LGA, especially in areas reflected in the Urban Heat Island.

Bayside Council Review of technical specifications and policies for public domain works regarding shade (LSPS Action 24.8) Blue Mountains City Urban Tree Canopy project

Council Recognition of UV as a natural hazard, as indicated in Local Planning Priority 2 Public Art Policy – especially considering the LSPS’s recognition of shade structures being a functional element of public art

Strathfield Council Open Space & Recreation Strategy Sydney Markets Strathfield Town Centre Masterplan Commercial Centres Study Georges River DCP review 2020

Council

Hunter's Hill Council Street Tree Planning Program Development Control Plan review Outdoor Sports and Recreation Plan Plans of Management for Open Space, Parks and Reserves.

Inner West Council DCP review especially relating to Actions in LSPS regarding shade Randwick City Implementation of LSPS Action 7.3 relating to shade

Council Wollondilly Shire Possibility of partnering in the healthy built environment focus in

Council Master Planning for Growth Areas Smart Shire Strategy Urban Tree Canopy work especially in relation to a UV or shade strategy

Ku-ring-gai Council Canopy and Urban Forest targets DCP controls re shade and canopy Campbelltown City Implementation of LSPS Action 1.15: Maximise urban shade by

Council protecting existing trees, ensuring new developments incorporate appropriate landscaping, and increasing planting in open space areas Implementation of Action 8.23: Facilitate blue and green grid projects to introduce water into the urban environment, reducing the impacts of the urban heat island effect and providing increased shade and canopy coverage. Willoughby City DCP provisions relating to shade

Council

Penrith City Council PATHS strategy Shade Facilities at Playspaces policy

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Council Recommended follow-up of future Council strategies/policies etc

DCP review Cooling the City Strategy Mosman Municipal Review of Development Control Plans to ensure that criteria for

Council healthy built environments are considered

Fairfield City Council Public Domain Plans Urban Heat strategies Implementation of Action 9.2: Council will identify approaches to expand urban tree canopy cover that address the low levels of existing canopy cover to improve and enhance amenity. Council will consider how this is best supported by updated LEP and DCP and other whole-of-Council programs.

City of Ryde Council Centres and Places Strategy Open Space Provision Plan City of Parramatta Implementation of LSPS actions A100, 101 and A103 regarding heat

Council stress mitigation The Hills Shire Incorporate shade issues into

Council Public Domain Strategy Commercial/Retail Urban Design Guidelines Street tree master plans for high growth areas

Lane Cove Council As noted in LSPS, opportunity to collaborate with public art programs in parks and reserves and also in enhancing public open spaces generally, in the absence of being able to provide more quantity of open space

Ensure a planning lens is applied when implementing these recommendations This project has shown the value of using the services of an experienced land use planning professional with local government experience to positively influence the NSW council planning policy in health-related issues. The close collaboration between public health professionals within the Institute and the planning consultant was key in the success of the project. A planning lens should continue to be applied to successfully incorporate health issues into councils’ land use planning policy.

Leverage on the focus on the urban tree canopy’ and public open space As explained in Urban tree canopy, many NSW councils are developing and implementing, or at least reviewing, their urban tree canopy targets and strategies. This is especially important in the Sydney region, with the Greater Sydney Commission’s focus on increasing urban tree canopy https://www.greater.sydney/metropolis-of-three-cities/sustainability/city-its- landscape/urban-tree-canopy-cover-increased and the current Premier’s Priority of ‘Greening our city’ https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/premiers-priorities/greening-our-city.

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There are also other NSW Government publications and programs in place and under development, which the NSW Shade Working Group is aware of, that are relevant to urban trees.

There are other NSW Government programs focusing on the use and provision of public open space, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the community and its use of outdoor spaces.

All of these programs contribute to shade and UV protection, although the documentation of many of them ironically does not include the discussion of the importance of tree shade in UV protection.

It is recommended that the Institute keep abreast of the many developments in urban tree canopy and public open space issues, both in metropolitan and regional areas, and seek to add critical information about the importance of UV protection and shade in these many programs and policies.

Some of interest are being developed by the NSW Government Architect:

• https://www.governmentarchitect.nsw.gov.au/policies/greener-places - the Institute provided feedback on the Draft Greener Places in November 2017

• https://www.governmentarchitect.nsw.gov.au/guidance/greener-places-guide - including targets for shade provision.

Leverage on the focus on heat mitigation As shown in the Heat mitigation section previously, many councils have acknowledged the challenge that increasing urban heat poses to their communities, and many are pursuing Actions to mitigate the effects of urban heat. Shade is one of the critical elements that contributes to cooling urban surfaces, and it is recommended that the Institute follow up the various council and regional programs concentrating on this aspect. WSROC’s ‘Turning Down the Heat’ program and University of Western Sydney and Landcom’s ‘Cooling the Commons’ are key programs to consider. The Institute had made attempts to follow up with WSROC about ‘Turning Down the Heat’ at the time of writing. Reaching a group of councils via their Joint Organisations of Councils is another way of achieving this, as explained further below.

Leverage on the focus on ‘quality urban design’ As explained in Shade as part of good urban design previously, most LSPSs had a strong focus on improving the quality of their urban spaces, particularly town centres and public spaces. Shade was sometimes mentioned in this context, and the strong link between shade and quality urban design was suggested in most of the tailored submissions. The Institute should continue to be aware of the range of town / city / village / placemaking masterplans and projects being prepared by NSW councils and should seek to have shade properly planned and budgeted in these projects. It is acknowledged that this can be particularly time consuming due to the sheer scale of projects being carried out and the need to influence the projects well before they get to tendering stage.

The Institute could also attempt to work with the NSW Government Architect and DPIE in the range of publications, technical guidelines, and funding opportunities that are continuing to be made available to councils in developing their town centres and public spaces, particularly in this COVID-19 adaptation time. For example:

• NSW Government Architect’s development of a range of guidelines regarding urban design:

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- https://www.governmentarchitect.nsw.gov.au/policies/better-placed - https://www.governmentarchitect.nsw.gov.au/guidance/good-urban-design - https://www.governmentarchitect.nsw.gov.au/guidance/evaluating-good-design - https://www.governmentarchitect.nsw.gov.au/guidance/regional-urban-design - The Institute provided feedback on the Draft Urban Design Guide for Regional NSW in October 2018

• ‘Your High Street’ grants recently launched and the previous ‘Streets as Shared Spaces’ programs https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/premiers-priorities/great-public- spaces/streets/grants-for-councils

• NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Policy-and- Legislation/Planning-reforms/NSW-Public-Spaces-Legacy-Program

Follow up UV as a natural hazard It is recommended that the Institute follow up every council where an LSPS recognises UV as being a natural hazard. The list of relevant councils is found in Table 14: Final Local Strategic Planning Statements where shade and UV issues were added as a result of the Institute’s submission. Where these mentions have been made, it is worth following through to encourage those councils to act to mitigate the hazard, just as they do for other natural hazards (eg Floodplain Management Studies and Plans, Bushfire Plans).

The Institute could also keep watch on any activity within DPIE that addresses ‘Natural Hazard’ policy.

Follow up preparation of UV and Shade Strategies and use of ‘Guidelines to Shade’ It is recommended that the Institute follow up each council where an LSPS, or the council report outlining the final LSPS, suggests the preparation of a UV/Shade Strategy. The list of relevant councils is found in the previous section Encouraging councils to prepare a UV and Shade Strategy.

In particular, Lismore City Council’s 1999 Community Sun Protection Policy should be reviewed for its possible application to other NSW councils.

In addition, the Institute should also follow up the five councils that referenced Cancer Council NSW’s Guidelines to Shade - A practical guide for shade development in New South Wales, 2013 NSW (as listed in the previous section Referencing of Cancer Council NSW ‘Guidelines to Shade’.

It is also suggested that Joint Organisations of Councils (JO) be contacted to ascertain their interest in coordinating regional UV and shade strategies, particularly in regional areas where individual councils may lack appropriate staff experience and resources.

The Illawarra/Shoalhaven JO may be a key JO to approach, particularly because of their previous history of coordinating regional planning approaches, for example in biodiversity, and because of the high level of interest in healthy planning issues in the region. Shoalhaven are currently preparing a Community Wellbeing Plan, and Kiama has had a Health Plan for some time https://www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/Services/People-and-community/Kiama-Health-Plan.

The North Coast JO may be another applicable JO to approach as it includes Lismore, where a specific Community Sun Protection Policy exists, and also contains LGAs with the highest incidence of melanoma in the state.

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Match data in this project with concurrent ‘Shade benchmarking in playgrounds project’ As explained in section 0 regarding ‘Project Scope’, the Institute is currently undertaking a ‘Shade benchmarking in playgrounds project’, covering all LGAs in NSW. The results and outputs of that project should be matched with this report to provide further detail on shade provision in each LGA, and to assist in pointing the way to opportunities for future shade policy and provision in each LGA.

Continue to monitor urban tree canopy cover to inform council policy and LSPS updates It would be highly beneficial for the Institute to continue to monitor the level and quality of urban tree canopy cover, and the concurrent quality of shade in local areas. This will allow relevant data to be shared with councils, who can then use these insights as they prepare additional policies and opportunities for provision of shade in their areas. This data could ideally be used in conjunction with the ‘Shade Benchmarking Project’ mentioned above.

Leverage on the focus on ‘climate change adaptation’ As explained in the Climate change mitigation section previously, many councils dealt with the issue of climate change mitigation in their LSPSs, and many suggested a range of climate change adaptation strategies. Shade was not necessarily named as part of the suite of adaptation strategies, although it was given as a suggestion in many of the tailored submissions. The Institute should continue to be aware of the range of climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies being prepared by NSW councils and should seek to have shade included as a consideration in them. Reaching a group of councils via their Joint Organisations of Councils could be one way of achieving this, as explained further below.

Leverage on the focus on ‘sustainability’ Similar to the ‘tree canopy’ and ‘urban heat’ issues mentioned above, many councils focussed on issues and actions relating to ‘sustainability’ in their LSPSs. Shade was not necessarily mentioned in this context, although it was given as a suggestion in many of the tailored submissions. The Institute should continue to be aware of the range of sustainability strategies and projects being prepared by NSW councils and should seek to have shade included as a consideration in them. Reaching a group of councils via their Joint Organisations of Councils could be one way of achieving this.

Engage with Joint Organisations of Councils It is suggested that Joint Organisations of NSW councils (JOs) (as explained in the Project section previously) be contacted to ascertain their interest in coordinating councils to attend specific shade and UV related staff seminars, or in coordinating regional shade and UV strategies or policies. This model is undertaken for other planning issues (for example Contaminated Lands, Urban Heat projects etc) and could be adapted to cover the topics of shade and UV. This is particularly suggested for regional areas where individual councils may lack appropriate staff experience and resources. This is further discussed in the recommendation Follow up preparation of UV and Shade Strategy.

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Other recommendations given in this section also recommend using the JOs as an ideal facilitator for influencing the inclusion of shade in other planning related policies and projects.

Engage with professional & industry associations It is suggested that the Institute contact NSW branches of relevant professional industry associations such as Planning Institute Australia (PIA), Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, Engineers Australia and Urban Development Industry Association to offer targeted ‘shade and UV’ information, seminars or journal articles. This would be especially useful for PIA NSW, where the contents of this report and database could be used in following through other recommendations given in this report.

Follow up previous council strategies and policies that have relevance to shade A section above recommends following up future council strategies, policies and plans. However there are also strategies, policies and plans having relevance to shade provision that have already been produced by councils across NSW and were mentioned in their LSPSs, or in the reports to council relating to the adoption of the LSPSs. Many of them were mentioned as requiring review as a result of the LSPS. Their existence was captured in the project database. It is recommended that these various policies, strategies and plans are followed up with the relevant councils, to ensure that shade provision is adequately considered in them. The table following lists particular policies, strategies and plans noted through the project.

Table 38: Recommended existing council policies, plans, strategies etc to follow up Council name Details of policy / plan /strategy

Regional councils

Lismore In 1999, Lismore Council produced what is believed to be the only Community Sun Protection Policy produced by a NSW LGA. Amongst many other issues, this Policy contained specific recommendations about the provision of shade and recommended specific changes to Council’s Development Control Plan. It is recommended that this Policy be followed up with Council, and aspects of it used to recommend local policy for other NSW LGAs. (See details elsewhere in this report)

Newcastle Urban Heat Island Research Project. See Council report July 2020 https://newcastle.nsw.gov.au/getattachment/c82b4079-3431-4bbd- ae68-2c62af18a4bf/Report-on-Notice-of-Motion-Item-25-Urban-Heat- Island-Research-Project.aspx

The Institute sent email correspondence to Council in July 2020 about the Urban Heat Island Research Project and were continuing correspondence at the time of writing this report.

Kyogle Draft Open Spaces Design Guide – Institute submission made 9 March 2020

Kyogle Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Plan (2019) - includes an "adaptation initiative to increase shade around playgrounds, sporting facilities, town centres and open spaces". See

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Council name Details of policy / plan /strategy

https://www.kyogle.nsw.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2019- FINAL-CCRA-KYOGLE.pdf

Metropolitan councils

Canada Bay Social Infrastructure Strategy (Open Space & Recreation) and Urban tree canopy Strategy adopted at same time as LSPS

Inner West Tree Management Plan/DCP.

Willoughby Vegetation Management Policy

Penrith Penrith Sport and Recreation Strategy (finished exhibition early 2020)

Ryde Public Domain Technical Manual

Parramatta Community Infrastructure Strategy 2020 - includes a section on how playgrounds will be allocated and built over the following years. Although it talks about shade being important to the community etc, its final ‘criteria to guide decision making for new or upgraded play spaces’ at p 428 does not include a specific reference to shade or UV.

The Hills The Hills DCP 2012 Part C Section 3 Landscaping has references to shade on pp5, 11 and 12 and could be expanded to include recognition of role in UVR.

Northern Public Space Vision and Design Guidelines -note submission sent to Beaches council in May 2020. Council has advised that there will be a later exhibition of related material in late 2020.

Follow up LSPS reviews in 7 years It is understood that the expectation of the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment is that each council will review its LSPS in 7 years’ time – approximately 2027. It is recommended that the Institute again makes submissions to councils at this time, based on the information that has been gleaned in this project. Councils should also be included as a key stakeholder in the development of the next NSW Cancer Plan.

Bibliography

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2017. Quickstats. Accessed at https://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/D3310114.nsf/Home/2016%20QuickStats 2. Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2018: Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas. Accessed at https://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/censushome.nsf/home/seifa

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3. Cancer Council NSW, 2013: Guidelines to Shade - A practical guide for shade development in New South Wales. Available at https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/getmedia/4c923ae3- ade5-45b2-9d3c-55009baa2b53/Guidelines-to-shade-WEB2.pdf 4. Cancer Institute NSW, 2017: NSW Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy. Available at https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/prevention-and-screening/preventing-cancer/preventing- skin-cancer/nsw-skin-cancer-prevention-strategy 5. Cancer Institute NSW, 2017: Sun protection behaviours in NSW, 2017. Available via:https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/about-cancer/document-library/sun-protection- behaviours-in-nsw-2017). 6. Cancer Institute NSW, 2020: Cancer statistics NSW. Accessed at https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/research-and-data/cancer-data-and-statistics/cancer- statistics-nsw#// 7. Department of Planning and Environment, 2018: Local Strategic Planning Statements - Guideline for Councils. Available at https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/- /media/Files/DPE/Guidelines/local-strategic-planning-statements-guideline-for-councils- 2018-06-12.pdf 8. Greater Sydney Commission, 2018: Greater Sydney Region Plan - A Metropolis of Three Cities - available at https://www.greater.sydney/metropolis-of-three-cities 9. NSW Cancer Registry, 2020: Annual NSW cancer incidence data 2016. Accessed June 2020 via: www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/research-and-data/cancer-data-and-statistics/cancer- statistics-nsw 10. NSW Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy Shade Working Group, 2019: Shade provision: Suggested text for inclusion in Local Strategic Planning Statements. Prepared by Jan Fallding, Registered Planner, June 2019, on behalf of the NSW Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy Shade Working Group, operating within the auspices of the NSW Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy, led by Cancer Institute NSW. Available at https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/prevention-and-screening/preventing-cancer/preventing- skin-cancer/reduce-your-skin-cancer-risk/shade-and-uv-protection and https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/getmedia/2758ee07-098f-45cf-807a- c8d711dea6b7/Shade-provision-Suggested-text-for-Planning-Statements-NSW-Skin- Cancer-Prevention-Strategy.PDF 11. NSW Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy Shade Working Group, 2019: Shade: A planning and design priority that prevents skin cancer – an explanatory 2 page document prepared by the NSW Shade Working Group within the auspices of the NSW Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy, led by Cancer Institute NSW. Available at https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/prevention-and-screening/preventing-cancer/preventing- skin-cancer/reduce-your-skin-cancer-risk/shade-and-uv-protection and https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/getmedia/be5ca26a-3755-4487-a698-fa843cfaf023/WR- MR0010096-A4-ShadePlanning-CI-0002-01-20.pdf

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Annexures

Annexure 1: The NSW planning system, Local Strategic Planning Statements, Regional and District Plans and Joint Organisations of Councils In March 2018, amendments to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) introduced new requirements for each council in NSW to prepare a local strategic planning statement (LSPS) for its local government area (LGA).

Prior to LSPSs, councils in NSW prepared and implemented various types of strategic land use planning policies and strategies (with a wide variety of names), but none were explicitly recognised in the EP&A Act. At the LGA level, Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) and Development Control Plans (DCPs) were the only strategic planning documents named in the Act. The 2018 amendments to the Act attempted to recognise local strategic land use planning at the legislative level and intended that LSPSs would give a strategic context to councils’ future amendments of LEPs and DCPs. Nonetheless, LSPSs do not hold statutory weight as LEPs do.

Local Strategic Planning Statements The LSPS Guideline for Councils was issued by the NSW Government through the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) to councils in 2018 and “provided information for councils, the community and other stakeholders on the contents of a local strategic planning statement, how it is made, and how it is implemented. The guideline provided councils with a suggested process to help develop their first statement”.

As explained in the LSPS Guideline for Councils, the intention of each LSPS was that it would set out:

• the 20-year vision for land use in the local area

• the special characteristics which contribute to local identity

• shared community values to be maintained and enhanced

• how growth and change will be managed into the future.

The NSW Government expected that Councils would show in the LSPS how their ‘vision’ gives effect to the relevant regional or district plan (as explained later), based on local characteristics and opportunities, and the council’s own priorities that it would already have set out in its Community Strategic Plan, previously prepared under the NSW Local Government Act.

Informed by the strategic and community planning work undertaken by councils, the LSPSs were intended to be the key resource to understand how strategic and statutory plans would be implemented at the local level.

The legal requirements for an LSPS are outlined in section 3.9 of the EP&A Act and include:

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a) Context - the basis for strategic planning in the area, having regard to economic, social and environmental matters b) Planning priorities - the planning priorities for the area that are consistent with any strategic plan applying to the area and (subject to any such strategic plan) any applicable Community Strategic Plan under section 402 of the Local Government Act c) Actions - the actions required for achieving those planning priorities d) Implementation - the basis on which the council is to monitor and report on the implementation of those actions.

This project aimed to include the issue of shade and UV in all four required sections of the LSPS, but particularly within the ‘Actions’.

During the development of the LSPSs:

• The Greater Sydney Commission(GSC) assisted councils in the Greater Sydney region with their LSPSs - https://www.greater.sydney/local-planning-assurance-tracker

• DPIE supported regional councils with their technical or practical needs to different levels according to the councils’ size and expertise.

In both cases (metropolitan and regional), DPIE and/or the GSC had a significant role in informing the final content of the LSPS, although neither organisation had statutory authority in the EP&A Act to ‘approve’ the final content.

Each LSPS finalised by a council is added to the DPIE Planning Portal at https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/publications/local-strategic-planning-statements

Other resources relating to the development of LSPSs can be found at:

• https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Policy-and-Legislation/Environmental-Planning-and- Assessment-Act-updated/Guide-to-the-updated-Environmental-Planning-and-Assessment- Act-1979/Part-3-Strategic-planning

• https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/-/media/Files/DPE/Guidelines/local-strategic-planning- statements-guideline-for-councils-2018-06-12.pdf

Regional and District plans LSPS are required to have regard to the principles and actions of their respective Regional Plan (for regional councils) and District Plan (for metropolitan councils).

District Plans and the Greater Sydney Commission As stated on the DPIE website https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Plans-for-your-area/A- Metropolis-of-Three-Cities/Greater-Sydney-Districts/Five-districts , “the Greater Sydney Commission is responsible for metropolitan planning, in a partnership between State and local government. Its role is to coordinate and align the planning that will shape the future of Greater Sydney and make it more liveable, productive and sustainable”.

The Greater Sydney Commission’s five District Plans (finalised in March 2018) are a guide for implementing A Metropolis of Three Cities - the Greater Sydney Region Plan at a District level. The 20-year District Plans are a bridge between regional and local planning. They inform local environmental plans, community strategic plans and the assessment of planning proposals. The District Plans also help councils to plan and deliver for growth and change, and to align their local planning strategies to place-based outcomes. The five Districts are:

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• Western City • Central City • Eastern City • North • South

Source: https://www.greater.sydney/district-plans

Regional Plans As stated on the DPIE website https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Plans-for-your- area/Regional-Plans , “in 2017 the Department finalised a suite of Regional Plans, making it the first time the entire State has been covered by strategic land use plans. The Regional Plans set the framework, vision and direction for strategic planning and land use, planning for future needs for housing, jobs, infrastructure, a healthy environment and connected communities”.

The Regional Plans are as follows, and each covers a number of LGAs:

• Central Coast • Central West and Orana • Hunter • Illawarra-Shoalhaven • Metropolitan Sydney • New England-North West • North Coast • Riverina-Murray • South East and Tablelands • Far West

The role of Joint Organisations in regional NSW As stated at https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/programs-and-initiatives/joint-organisations/ regional NSW has a network of 13 Joint Organisations (JOs) to strengthen collaboration and engagement between State and local governments and improve infrastructure and service delivery to regional communities.

Eighty-seven councils in regional NSW (of a total of 95 regional councils) are members of the 13 JOs:

• Canberra Region • Central NSW • Far North West • Far South West • Hunter • Illawarra Shoalhaven • Mid North Coast • Namoi • New England • Northern Rivers • Orana • Riverina and Murray • Riverina

Member Councils of each JO can be seen at the link above.

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Each JO comprises member councils, State agencies and other key stakeholders as determined by each JO board. The regional bodies are a key mechanism through which the Government delivers funding and programs to regional NSW. Each joint organisation has developed a Statement of Strategic Regional Priorities containing the programs, projects and initiatives it is focusing on delivering by working across traditional council boundaries. The NSW Office of Local Government (OLG) works closely with member councils and other key stakeholders to support JOs to deliver for their regional communities.

Although the JOs have not had any direct input into the development of LSPSs, they offer a potential network for sharing shade and healthy built environment information and planning issues amongst professional planning and related staff employed by its member councils.

Annexure 2: Variables contained in database of Local Government Plan for Shade Provision

Database column name Explanation

Council name Self explanatory

NSW Local Health District Self explanatory

Regional Organisations of Membership of any applicable ROC Councils (metropolitan councils only)

Joint Organisation JOs are organisations that “strengthen collaboration and (regional councils only) engagement between State and local governments and improve infrastructure and service delivery to regional communities” - see https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/programs- and-initiatives/joint-organisations/

NSW Department of Provided for regional councils only Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) Region

Draft LSPS information

LSPS name Official title of draft LSPS document on exhibition

Website link Hyperlink to council’s exact webpage where draft LSPS was placed on public exhibition

Exhibition date Dates of public exhibition of draft LSPS (minimum one month)

Submission due date Date that submissions to the draft LSPS were due

Date of the Institute's Date that the Institute lodged its submission with Council submission

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Database column name Explanation

Consultant prepared Records ‘yes’ where the consultant prepared a ‘tailored’ submission submission. If response is ‘no’, the Institute prepared a ‘generic’ submission

Other supporting Where other documents were provided on council’s exhibition documents? webpage in addition to the draft LSPS, these were noted (eg summary document, explanations etc)

LSPS draft: No of pages No of pages of draft LSPS document

LSPS final: No of pages No of pages of final LSPS document

Word search of LSPSs Word searches were done primarily on draft LSPSs - where it was done on final LSPSs, this is noted.

Most entries are simply marked as ‘yes’ or ‘no’, but some additional information is sometimes entered

The word(s) had to relate to original LSPS text, not simply a reference to text in a previous council document

Word search was relevant If the word search was relevant to the final LSPS, not the draft to final LSPS? LSPS, this was noted. This was most relevant for metropolitan LSPSs

Word search of final for UV Notes where the document includes any of the words UV / / radiation / exposure / radiation / exposure / cancer cancer

Word search of shade or Notes where the document includes the word(s) shade or shading shading

Word search of health/y Notes where the document includes the word(s) health/y – but NOT in relation to health infrastructure eg hospitals, or environmental health

Word search of natural Notes where the document includes the phrase ‘natural hazard hazard/s’

Word search of heat Notes where the document includes the word(s) heat / heatwave

Skin cancer and population information

Melanoma of skin: Age Statistics sourced from Cancer Institute NSW website in 2019 standardised incidence rate and early 2020 2010-2015

Melanoma of skin: Age Statistics sourced from Cancer Institute NSW website from standardised incidence rate March 23, 2020 onwards 2012-2016

Population LGA population at 2016 Census (via ABS Quickstats)

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Database column name Explanation

Project management

Total time consultant spent Records approx. hours consultant spent on reviewing draft on assessing draft LSPS LSPS and preparing submission

Response from Council Noted when the Institute received a response from Council received re consideration regarding their submission, most notably if information was of draft LSPS received giving notice of when the draft LSPS was to be considered at an upcoming council meeting.

LSPS being considered at Date of council meeting where draft LSPS was to be considered Council meeting (if notified by Council)

Report on LSPS available Hyperlink to Council’s webpage to relevant council meeting and from report

Downloaded Council Noted whether or not the consultant had downloaded the Report? relevant council report

Initial reaction to final A field used by the consultant as a project management tool LSPS?

Advice received from Noted when the Institute received a response from Council Council re finalisation of regarding the finalisation of the LSPS LSPS

Analysis of final LSPS and success of submissions

Evidence of success with Summary statement as to whether there was evidence that the submission? Institute’s submission had resulted in changes to the LSPS

Specific reference to shade Notes where specific information regarding shade/ UV has been added to final exposure has been added to the general text of the final LSPS LSPS text (not to specific Priorities or Actions of the LSPS)

Specific reference to shade Notes where specific words regarding shade/ UV exposure has has been included in an been added to any Actions of the final LSPS ACTION of the LSPS

LSPS text specifically notes Notes where the final LSPS recognises UV exposure as being a UV as a natural hazard ‘natural hazard’

Cancer Council NSW Notes if the final LSPS references Guidelines to Shade - A (CCNSW) Shade Guidelines practical guide for shade development in New South Wales. directly referenced in LSPS Cancer Council NSW 2013 text

Other notable inclusions in Notes any other notable inclusions in the final LSPS as a result LSPS relating to the of the Institute’s submission Institute submission

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Database column name Explanation

Council report or Notes if the Council report (or attachments to the report) attachments are regarding the adoption of the final LSPS was comprehensive in comprehensive in its its response to the Institute submission response to the Institute

Council report or Notes if the Council report (or attachments to the report) attachments specifically regarding the adoption of the final LSPS specifically notes that refers shade issues to shade issues should be considered by other sections of council other sections / future and/or by other planning documents or related projects being projects of Council? undertaken by Council

Council picks up on the Notes if the Council report (or attachments to the report) Institute's offer to acknowledges the Institute’s offer to partner / collaborate / partner/collaborate/ provide advice (where this was included in the submission) provide advice

Other specific issues A field for any other issues / comments that need to be noted regarding Council’s consideration of shade issues and/or the final LSPS

Examples where Notes any issues if Council did not receive or act on the submission was not Institute’s submission successful

Issues to follow up from Notes any key Council documents or issues that the Institute both finalisation of LSPS could follow up on in the future that have relevance to shade. and relating to other These were primarily found from their inclusion in the LSPS strategies text.

Other opportunities to Additional opportunities. Similar to the field above influence future council planning/policy and implementation

Council contact details

Council reference Council reference required for submission to draft LSPS

Lodge online at Hyperlink to where submission could be lodged online

Primary email Council email address for submissions

GM/CEO Council GM/CEO title and name

Address line 1, 2 and 3 Council postal address

Contact Contact given by council for draft LSPS. Where possible, a particular planner’s name was entered. Sometimes only a Council general department/section was given. Sometimes this information was sourced from the consultant’s direct email contact with a council.

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Database column name Explanation

Contact position Position of contact given above (where known)

Contact phone Phone no of contact given above (where known)

Contact email Email of contact given above (where known)

Contact #2 Details of any additional Council contacts for draft LSPS

Contact #2 position

Contact #2 email/phone

Notes re communications Details of any communications (phone or email) had between with staff consultant and council staff

Annexure 3: List of NSW councils and Local Strategic Planning Statements

1. Metropolitan councils Regional Organisation of Local Health Council name LSPS title Councils District

Bayside Council Future Bayside Local Strategic Southern Sydney South Eastern Planning Statement: A land-use ROC Sydney vision to 2036

Blacktown City Local Strategic Planning Western Sydney Western Sydney Council Statement ROC

Blue Mountains Blue Mountains 2040 Living Western Sydney Nepean Blue City Council Sustainably: Local Strategic ROC Mountains Planning Statement

Burwood Council Local Strategic Planning Southern Sydney Sydney Statement ROC

Camden Council Local Strategic Planning None South Western Statement Sydney

Campbelltown Local Strategic Planning None South Western City Council Statement - a 20 year land use Sydney vision for the City of Campbelltown to 2040

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Regional Organisation of Local Health Council name LSPS title Councils District

Canterbury- Connective City 2036 Southern Sydney South Western Bankstown ROC Sydney and Council Sydney

City of Canada Local Strategic Planning Southern Sydney Sydney Bay Council Statement - City of Canada Bay ROC

City of Local Strategic Planning Western Sydney Western Sydney Parramatta Statement City Plan 2036 ROC and Northern Council Sydney

City of Ryde Planning Ryde - Local Strategic Northern Sydney Northern Sydney Council Planning Statement 2020 ROC

City of Sydney City Plan 2036 - Local Strategic Southern Sydney Sydney and Council Planning Statement ROC South Eastern Sydney

Cumberland Cumberland 2030: Our Local Western Sydney Western Sydney Council Strategic Planning Statement ROC

Fairfield City Fairfield City 2040: Local Western Sydney South Western Council Strategic Planning Statement ROC Sydney

Georges River Georges River Local Strategic Southern Sydney South Eastern Council Planning Statement 2040 ROC Sydney

Hawkesbury City Hawkesbury Local Strategic Western Sydney Nepean Blue Council Planning Statement ROC Mountains

Hornsby Shire Your Vision. Your Future. Hornsby Northern Sydney Northern Sydney Council Local Strategic Planning ROC Statement

Hunter's Hill Local Strategic Planning Northern Sydney Northern Sydney Council Statement - A 20 year vision for ROC land use in the Hunters Hill local government area

Inner West Our Place Inner West: Local Southern Sydney Sydney Council Strategic Planning Statement ROC

Ku-ring-gai Local Strategic Planning Northern Sydney Northern Sydney Council Statement - Ku-ring-gai Council ROC

Lane Cove Lane Cove Local Strategic Northern Sydney Northern Sydney Council Planning Statement ROC

Liverpool City Connected Liverpool 2040: Western Sydney South Western Council Liverpool's Local Strategic ROC Sydney

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Regional Organisation of Local Health Council name LSPS title Councils District

Planning Statement - a land use vision to 2040

Mosman Mosman Local Strategic Planning Northern Sydney Northern Sydney Municipal Statement: enhancing Mosman ROC Council

North Sydney North Sydney Local Strategic Northern Sydney Northern Sydney Council Planning Statement ROC

Northern Towards 2040 - Local Strategic None Northern Sydney Beaches Council Planning Statement - A 20 year land-use vision for the Northern Beaches

Penrith City Penrith Local Strategic Planning None Nepean Blue Council Statement: Planning for a Mountains Brighter Future

Randwick City Randwick City Local Strategic Southern Sydney South Eastern Council Planning Statement ROC Sydney

Strathfield Strathfield 2040: Local Strategic None Sydney Council Planning Statement

Sutherland Shire Sutherland Shire Local Strategic Southern Sydney South Eastern Council Planning Statement ROC Sydney

The Hills Shire Hills Future 2036: Local Strategic None Western Sydney Council Planning Statement

Waverley Waverley Local Strategic Planning Southern Sydney South Eastern Council Statement 2020-2036 ROC Sydney

Willoughby City Willoughby City Local Strategic Northern Sydney Northern Sydney Council Planning Statement ROC

Wollondilly Shire Wollondilly 2040: Local Strategic None South Western Council Planning Statement Sydney

Woollahra Woollahra Local Strategic Southern Sydney South Eastern Municipal Planning Statement ROC Sydney Council

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2. Regional councils Local Health Council name LSPS title District Joint Organisation

Albury City Council Local Strategic Planning Murrumbidgee Riverina and Murray Statement: Shaping our City: Our land use vision

Armidale Regional Local Strategic Planning Hunter New New England Council Statement - A Plan for England 2040

Ballina Shire Council Ballina Shire Local Northern NSW Northern Rivers Strategic Planning Statement

Balranald Shire Council Local Strategic Planning Far West Far South West Statement

Bathurst Regional Bathurst Regional Local Western NSW Central NSW Council Strategic Planning Statement

Bega Valley Shire Bega Valley Shire Local Southern NSW Canberra Region Council Strategic Planning Statement

Bellingen Shire Council Bellingen Shire Local Mid North Mid North Coast Strategic Planning Coast Statement 2020-2040

Berrigan Shire Council Berrigan Shire Local Murrumbidgee Riverina and Murray Strategic Planning Statement

Bland Shire Council Bland Local Strategic Murrumbidgee Riverina Planning Statement

Blayney Shire Council Not researched Western NSW Central NSW

Bogan Shire Council Not researched Western NSW Orana

Bourke Shire Council Bourke Shire Council Western NSW Far North West Local Strategic Planning Statement 2019

Brewarrina Shire Council Brewarrina Shire Local Western NSW Unknown Strategic Planning Statement

Broken Hill City Council Broken Hill Local Far West Far South West Strategic Planning Statement

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Local Health Council name LSPS title District Joint Organisation

Byron Shire Council Byron Shire Local Northern NSW Northern Rivers Strategic Planning Statement

Cabonne Shire Council Cabonne Local Strategic Western NSW Central NSW Planning Statement

Carrathool Shire Council Not researched Murrumbidgee Riverina and Murray

Central Coast Council Central Coast Local Central Coast Unknown Strategic Planning Statement

Central Darling Shire Central Darling Shire Far West Far South West Council Local Strategic Planning Statement

Cessnock City Council Cessnock Local Strategic Hunter New Hunter Planning Statement England 2036

Clarence Valley Council Local Strategic Planning Northern NSW Unknown Statement

Cobar Shire Council Cobar Shire Local Western NSW Far North West Strategic Planning Statement

Coffs Harbour City Coffs Harbour Local Mid North Unknown Council Strategic Planning Coast Statement 2020

Coolamon Shire Council Not researched Murrumbidgee Riverina

Coonamble Shire Not researched Western NSW Unknown Council

Cootamundra-Gundagai Local Strategic Planning Murrumbidgee Riverina Shire Council Statement 2020

Cowra Shire Council Cowra Local Strategic Western NSW Central NSW Planning Statement

Dubbo Regional Council Dubbo Local Strategic Western NSW Unknown Planning statement

Dungog Shire Council Moving Toward 2040 - Hunter New Hunter Dungog Shire Local England Strategic Planning Statement

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Local Health Council name LSPS title District Joint Organisation

Edward River Council Not researched Murrumbidgee Riverina and Murray

Eurobodalla Shire Eurobodalla Local Southern NSW Canberra Region Council Strategic Planning Statement

Federation Council Federation Local Murrumbidgee Riverina and Murray Strategic Planning Statement 2020-2040

Forbes Shire Council The Forbes Local Western NSW Central NSW Strategic Planning Statement 2040

Gilgandra Shire Council Gilgandra Local Western NSW Orana Strategic Planning Statement 2020

Glen Innes Severn Glen Innes Severn Hunter New New England Council Council Local Strategic England Planning Statement - a strategic land use vision to 2040

Goulburn-Mulwaree Goulburn Mulwaree Southern NSW Canberra Region Council Local Strategic Planning Statement

Greater Hume Shire Not researched Murrumbidgee Riverina Council

Griffith City Council Growing Griffith to 2045 Murrumbidgee Riverina and Murray - Local Strategic Planning Statement

Gunnedah Shire Council Future 2040: Gunnedah Hunter New Namoi Shire Local Strategic England Planning Statement

Gwydir Shire Council Local Strategic Planning Hunter New Namoi Statement 2036 England

Hay Shire Council Hay Shire Council Draft Murrumbidgee Riverina and Murray Local Strategic Planning Statement

Hilltops Council Hilltops 2040 (Hilltops Murrumbidgee Canberra Region Local Strategic Planning Statement)

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Local Health Council name LSPS title District Joint Organisation

Inverell Shire Council Inverell Shire Council Hunter New New England Local Strategic Planning England Statement 2036

Junee Shire Council Junee Local Strategic Murrumbidgee Riverina Planning Statement 2040

Kempsey Shire Council Your Future Macleay - Mid North Mid North Coast Growth and Character Coast

Kiama Municipal Council Kiama Local Strategic Illawarra Illawarra Shoalhaven Planning Statement Shoalhaven 2020

Kyogle Council Kyogle Council Local Northern NSW Northern Rivers Strategic Planning Statement (draft)

Lachlan Shire Council Lachlan Shire Council Western NSW Central NSW Local Strategic Planning Statement

Lake Macquarie City Shaping the Future - Hunter New Hunter Council Lake Macquarie Local England Strategic Planning Statement

Leeton Shire Council Not researched Murrumbidgee Riverina and Murray

Lismore City Council INSPIRE LISMORE 2040: Northern NSW Northern Rivers LISMORE STRATEGIC PLANNING STATEMENT

Lithgow City Council Lithgow 2040 Local Nepean Blue Western Sydney ROC Strategic Planning Mountains Statement

Liverpool Plains Shire Liverpool Plains Shire Hunter New Namoi Council Council Local Strategic England Planning Statement 2040

Lockhart Shire Council Local Strategic Planning Southern NSW Riverina Statement 2020-2040

Maitland City Council Maitland Local Strategic Hunter New Hunter Planning Statement England 2040+

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Local Health Council name LSPS title District Joint Organisation

Mid-Coast Council Mid Western Regional Hunter New Hunter Local Strategic Planning England Statement

Mid-Western Regional Local Strategic Planning Western NSW Orana Council Statement

Moree Plains Shire Moree Plains Shire draft Hunter New New England Council Local Strategic Planning England statement

Murray River Council Not researched Murrumbidgee Riverina and Murray

Murrumbidgee Council Murrumbidgee Council Murrumbidgee Riverina and Murray Local Strategic Planning statement

Muswellbrook Shire Muswellbrook Local Hunter New Hunter Council Strategic Planning England Statement 2020 - 2040

Nambucca Valley Nambucca Valley Local Mid North Unknown Council Strategic Planning Coast Statement

Narrabri Shire Council Not researched Hunter New New England England

Narrandera Shire Local Strategic Planning Murrumbidgee Riverina and Murray Council Statement Narranderra Shire Council

Narromine Shire Council Narromine Shire Local Western NSW Orana Strategic Planning Statement

Newcastle City Council Planning Newcastle Hunter New Hunter 2040: Global City, Local England Character: Local Strategic Planning Statement

Oberon Council Oberon Council Draft Western NSW Central NSW Local Strategic Planning Statement 2038

Orange City Council Not researched Western NSW Central NSW

Parkes Shire Council Parkes Shire Local Western NSW Central NSW Strategic Planning Statement

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Local Health Council name LSPS title District Joint Organisation

Port Macquarie-Hastings Shaping Our Future Mid North Mid North Coast 2040 - a Local Strategic Coast Planning Statement for Port Macquarie-Hastings

Port Stephens Council Not researched Hunter New Hunter England

Queanbeyan-Palerang Local Strategic Planning Southern NSW Canberra Region Regional Council Statement - Towards 2040

Richmond Valley Council Local Strategic Planning Northern NSW Northern Rivers Statement: Beyond 20- 20 Vision

Shellharbour City Shellharbour City Illawarra Illawarra Shoalhaven Council Council Draft Local Shoalhaven Strategic Planning Statement

Shoalhaven City Council Shoalhaven 2040 – Our Illawarra Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Strategic Planning Shoalhaven Statement

Singleton Council Singleton Local Strategic Hunter New Hunter Planning Statement England 2040

Snowy Monaro Regional Snowy Monaro Local Southern NSW Canberra Region Council Strategic Planning Statement

Snowy Valleys Council ENVISAGE 2040: Our Murrumbidgee Canberra Region Path to a Sustainable Future - Draft Local Strategic Planning Statement

Tamworth Regional Tamworth Regional Hunter New Namoi Council Blueprint 100 - draft England Local Strategic Planning Statement 2020

Temora Shire Council Not researched Murrumbidgee Riverina

Tenterfield Shire Council Draft Tenterfield Local Hunter New New England Strategic Planning England Statement 2040

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Local Health Council name LSPS title District Joint Organisation

Tweed Shire Council Local Strategic Planning Northern NSW Northern Rivers Statement Draft - 2020

Upper Hunter Shire Upper Hunter Shire Hunter New Hunter Council Draft Local Strategic England Planning Statement 2019

Upper Lachlan Shire Local Strategic Planning Southern NSW Canberra Region Council Statement

Uralla Shire Council Uralla Shire Local Hunter New New England Strategic Planning England Statement

Wagga Wagga City Local Strategic Planning Murrumbidgee Unknown Council Statement - Planning for the future: Wagga Wagga 20140

Walcha Council Not researched Hunter New Namoi England

Walgett Shire Council Local Strategic Planning Western NSW Far North West Statement

Warren Shire Council Local Strategic Planning Orana Statement Warren Shire Council

Warrumbungle Shire Not researched Western NSW Orana Council

Weddin Shire Council Weddin Shire Local Western NSW Central NSW Strategic Planning Statement 2020 - 2040

Wentworth Shire Council Not researched Far West Far South West

Wingecarribee Shire Wingecarribee Local South Western Canberra Region Council Strategic Planning Sydney Statement

Wollongong City Council Wollongong Local Illawarra Illawarra Shoalhaven Strategic Planning Shoalhaven Statement 2020

Yass Valley Council Not researched Southern NSW Canberra Region

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Annexure 4: Council, skin cancer incidence and type of LSPS submission made

1. Metropolitan councils Melanoma of skin: Age standardised incidence rate 2012- Type of LSPS 2016 sourced from Cancer Institute submission made by the Council name NSW website March 23, 2020 Institute

Bayside Council 24 (Rockdale LGA) Generic

Blacktown City Council 33.6 Tailored

Blue Mountains City Council 48.9 Tailored

Burwood Council 14.1 Generic

Camden Council 54.7 None

Campbelltown City Council 39 None

Canterbury-Bankstown Council 24.1 Tailored

City of Canada Bay Council 37.6 None

City of Parramatta Council 32.5 Tailored

City of Ryde Council 34.6 Generic

City of Sydney Council 38.9 Tailored

Cumberland Council 20.9 Generic

Fairfield City Council 14 Generic

Georges River Council 32.9 Generic

Hawkesbury City Council 61.4 Tailored

Hornsby Shire Council 48.1 Tailored

Hunter's Hill Council 53.7 Tailored

Inner West Council 34.6 Tailored

Ku-ring-gai Council 56.5 Generic

Lane Cove Council 65.3 Tailored

Liverpool City Council 25.2 Generic

Mosman Municipal Council 79.6 Generic

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Melanoma of skin: Age standardised incidence rate 2012- Type of LSPS 2016 sourced from Cancer Institute submission made by the Council name NSW website March 23, 2020 Institute

North Sydney Council 61.7 Generic

Northern Beaches Council 66.1 Tailored

Penrith City Council 38.8 Tailored

Randwick City Council 44.6 Tailored

Strathfield Council 17 Tailored

Sutherland Shire Council 81.2 Tailored

The Hills Shire Council 46.8 Generic

Waverley Council 58.3 Generic

Willoughby City Council 41 Generic

Wollondilly Shire Council 62.9 Tailored

Woollahra Municipal Council 58.1 Tailored

2. Regional councils Melanoma of skin: Age standardised Type of LSPS incidence rate 2012-2016 sourced from submission Cancer Institute NSW website March 23, made by the Council name 2020 Institute Albury City Council 46.3 Generic Armidale Regional Council 58.4 Generic Ballina Shire Council 101.9 Generic Balranald Shire Council 53.5 None made Bathurst Regional Council 54.4 Tailored Bega Valley Shire Council 72.6 Tailored Bellingen Shire Council 84.1 Generic Berrigan Shire Council 56.6 Generic Bland Shire Council 51.8 Generic Blayney Shire Council 44.5 None made Bogan Shire Council 63.7 None made Bourke Shire Council 43.6 None made Brewarrina Shire Council 60.5 Generic

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Melanoma of skin: Age standardised Type of LSPS incidence rate 2012-2016 sourced from submission Cancer Institute NSW website March 23, made by the Council name 2020 Institute Broken Hill City Council 49.9 Generic Byron Shire Council 110.7 Generic Cabonne Shire Council 59.3 Generic Carrathool Shire Council 42.2 Generic Central Coast Council 68.6 Tailored Central Darling Shire Council 67.3 Generic Cessnock City Council 48.6 Tailored Clarence Valley Council 95 Generic Cobar Shire Council 52.6 Generic Coffs Harbour City Council 82.1 Tailored Coolamon Shire Council 59.4 None made Coonamble Shire Council 28.8 None made Cootamundra-Gundagai Shire 47.2 (Gundagai) Generic Council Cowra Shire Council 68.9 Generic Dubbo Regional Council 45.5 (Western Plains Regional) Tailored Dungog Shire Council 64.7 Generic Edward River Council 60.5 None made Eurobodalla Shire Council 62.3 Generic Federation Council 67.9 Generic Forbes Shire Council 46.4 Generic Gilgandra Shire Council 43.6 Generic Glen Innes Severn Council 54.9 Generic Goulburn-Mulwaree Council 50.9 Generic Greater Hume Shire Council 65.6 None made Griffith City Council 37.8 Generic Gunnedah Shire Council 57.8 Generic Gwydir Shire Council 59.3 Generic Hay Shire Council 18.1 Generic Hilltops Council 62.6 Generic Inverell Shire Council 65.4 Generic Junee Shire Council 70.8 Generic

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Melanoma of skin: Age standardised Type of LSPS incidence rate 2012-2016 sourced from submission Cancer Institute NSW website March 23, made by the Council name 2020 Institute Kempsey Shire Council 75.8 Generic Kiama Municipal Council 70.9 Generic Kyogle Council 101 Tailored Lachlan Shire Council 41.1 Generic Lake Macquarie City Council 71.5 Generic Leeton Shire Council 54.4 Generic Lismore City Council 82.8 None made Lithgow City Council 54.1 Generic Liverpool Plains Shire Council 52.3 Generic Lockhart Shire Council 71.1 Generic Maitland City Council 68.2 Tailored Mid-Coast Council 44.3 Generic Mid-Western Regional Council 73.7 Tailored Moree Plains Shire Council 46.4 Generic Murray River Council 57.5 Generic Murrumbidgee Council 63.2 Generic Muswellbrook Shire Council 61.2 Generic Nambucca Valley Council 79.5 Generic Narrabri Shire Council 53.4 None made Narrandera Shire Council 61.9 Generic Narromine Shire Council 44.4 Generic Newcastle City Council 62.6 Tailored Oberon Council 42.3 Generic Orange City Council 57.4 Generic Parkes Shire Council 58.8 Generic Port Macquarie-Hastings 70.4 Generic Port Stephens Council 72.3 Generic Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional 40.6 Generic Council Richmond Valley Council 79.5 Generic Shellharbour City Council 56.6 Generic Shoalhaven City Council 59.1 Tailored

130 | Shade and UV inclusion in NSW local government planning policy

Melanoma of skin: Age standardised Type of LSPS incidence rate 2012-2016 sourced from submission Cancer Institute NSW website March 23, made by the Council name 2020 Institute Singleton Council 56.9 Generic Snowy Monaro Regional Council 52 Generic Snowy Valleys Council 55.9 Generic Tamworth Regional Council 68.5 Tailored Temora Shire Council 39.5 Generic Tenterfield Shire Council 66.6 Generic Tweed Shire Council 91.4 Tailored Upper Hunter Shire Council 49.7 Generic Upper Lachlan Shire Council 45 Generic Uralla Shire Council 61.7 Generic Wagga Wagga City Council 54.5 Generic Walcha Council 47.4 None made Walgett Shire Council 52.7 Generic Warren Shire Council 67.9 Generic Warrumbungle Shire Council 51.5 None made Weddin Shire Council 48.5 Generic Wentworth Shire Council 37.8 None made Wingecarribee Shire Council 59.8 Generic Wollongong City Council 53.3 Tailored Yass Valley Council 68.9 None made

Annexure 5: Generic submission made by the Institute to draft LSPSs Dear [XX],

Re: Submission to [XX Draft Local Strategic Planning Statement]

Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback on Council’s [Draft Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS)].

The Cancer Institute NSW (the Institute) is a state government agency responsible for the delivery of the NSW Cancer Plan to reduce the incidence of cancer in NSW and the NSW Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy. The Institute works closely with key stakeholders with health and built environment expertise to reduce the incidence of skin cancer by improving access to

Cancer Institute NSW | 131

adequate shade in NSW. The Institute also promotes healthy lifestyle behaviours, including physical activity, which reduce the risk of certain cancers.

The Institute is committed to supporting your Council to reduce skin cancer in your LGA and has prepared the following submission that will:

• outline the importance of well-designed shade for the prevention of skin cancer

• explain the role of local policy in shade provision and skin cancer protection

• offer specific suggestions regarding your draft LSPS

• provide further information and contacts to assist your LGA in planning for good quality shade.

1. Skin cancer and shade

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Australia. At least 95 per cent of melanoma skin cancer and 99 per cent of non-melanoma skin cancers are caused by overexposure to ultra- violet radiation (UVR) from the sun.1 UVR is a carcinogen, and two in three Australians are expected to develop skin cancer before the age of 70.2 In [XX LGA], the age-standardised incidence rate of melanoma between 2012 and 2016 was [XX] per 100,000 population, [which was higher than the NSW average rate].3

Across NSW, UVR levels are high enough to damage unprotected skin for at least 10 months of the year.1 Unlike temperature, UVR can’t be seen or felt and damage to unprotected skin can still occur on cool or overcast days.

The good news is that skin cancer is highly preventable. In addition to personal protective behaviours (Slip Slop Slap Seek Slide), there is evidence that well-designed and correctly positioned shade, from both natural vegetation and built structures, can reduce exposure to UVR by up to 75 per cent.4

The provision of good quality shade is integral to assisting the community in reducing its exposure to UVR. However, quality shade needs to be planned and provided with careful thought if it is to be effective. This is where your Council can play an important role through the planning and design of good quality shade.

2. The role of local policy in shade provision and skin cancer prevention

Local planning provisions have a key place in ensuring the practical planning and delivery of shade, as does other policy that encourages the retention and addition of shade in a range of settings. As such, the Institute urges Council to ‘step up’ its priority for natural and built shade by:

• recognising shade as a key planning, design and health issue for your LGA

• recognising the range of co-benefits of shade in addition to protection from UVR ie comfort, shelter, aesthetics, biodiversity, reduction of the urban heat island effect, less evaporation, climate resilience, cooling of surrounding areas, improvements in health and wellbeing etc.

• preparing policy to specify high quality design principles for shade in new private developments (for example by updating Development Control Plans for residential and commercial development)

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• preparing policy (e.g. Engineering Guidelines) to ensure the provision of adequately budgeted and well-designed shade in public spaces and as part of public infrastructure e.g. in playgrounds, recreation areas, commercial and activity centres, bus stops, along footpaths and streets etc.

Shade: A planning and design priority that prevents skin cancer, 2019 provides a summary of the benefits of shade, and its importance in the planning process.

Guidelines to Shade - A practical guide for shade development in New South Wales, 2013 provides practical design details and guidance for Council and can be referenced in Council policies and engineering guidelines etc. It is also a useful reference for engineering and facilities staff involved in the design and installation of shade structures.

3. Specific suggestions regarding Council’s draft LSPS

The Institute recognises the LSPS as the key strategic land use planning document for your LGA for the following 20 years, and hence considers it vital to include within it specific references to shade provision.

The attached example LSPS text relating to shade provision provides detailed suggestions to assist you in finalising your LSPS. The example text outlines:

• Why shade (both natural and built) is important

• The co-benefits of well-designed shade and green spaces

• What is well-designed shade?

• Detailed LSPS actions relating to review of DCPs, consideration of shade in specific types of DAs and public infrastructure assessment, and commitment to shade provision in Council projects and infrastructure provision.

4. Summary

The Institute’s key message is that the provision of well-designed, appropriately located and properly budgeted built and natural shade is integral to assisting the community in reducing its over-exposure to UVR, and hence in reducing the risk of skin cancer in the community.

Local planning strategies/guidelines and DCP provisions have a key place in ensuring the practical planning and delivery of shade, as does policy that encourages the retention and addition of shade in a range of settings. Council’s draft LSPS is critical to setting the agenda for the development of such policy in the future, and the Institute has been pleased to provide practical suggestions on how this can be done.

5. Further information and assistance

Resources regarding how to design good quality shade for UVR protection, tools for performing shade audits, and shade case studies are provided in the Additional Information section below.

We can provide assistance in developing local government policy and strategy relating to shade, and can refer you to technical documents for the planning and construction of shade. A consultant Registered Planner, Jan Fallding RPIA, has been engaged by the Institute to offer further support to regional Councils.

Further information and assistance can be obtained from the Institute:

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Nikki Woolley or Nicola Groskops, Skin Cancer Prevention & Healthy Lifestyles

Email: [email protected] or Phone: 8374 3661

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on Council’s draft LSPS. Please keep the Institute informed as to the progress of the LSPS and any further relevant planning policy related to shade.

Annexure 6: Text in generic submissions to regional councils (from June 2020) regarding ‘UV as a natural hazard’ (Relates to section 4.9)

The Institute also suggests that in the LSPS section relating to natural hazards, that Council add a specific Priority: "Recognise ultra-violet (UV) radiation from the sun as a natural hazard in the LGA and respond to the mitigation of this hazard”.

Accompanying Actions to this Priority could be:

• Plan and budget for well-designed and correctly positioned shade, from both natural vegetation and built structures, throughout public areas in the LGA.

• Update the Development Control Plan to require the provision of well-designed and correctly positioned natural and built shade in relevant commercial, recreational and public building developments, or in developments adjoining public spaces.

• Prepare a Shade and UV Protection Strategy / Policy.

Council could also place the following background information in the LSPS to support this Priority and Actions:

“Ultra-violet (UV) radiation is a type of natural hazard. At least 95 per cent of melanoma skin cancer and 99 per cent of non-melanoma skin cancers are caused by overexposure to UV radiation from the sun. Well-designed and correctly positioned shade, from both natural vegetation and built structures, can reduce exposure to UV radiation by up to 75 per cent. Council can assist in the provision of shade throughout its public and open spaces, and can require its provision in relevant private developments.”

Other councils have already included this issue in their LSPSs – for example see Blue Mountains, Northern Beaches and Burwood final LSPSs.

The ‘Guidelines to Shade’ and’ example LSPS text referenced above will assist in the implementation of the suggested Actions. Note also that the Institute would be pleased to assist Council in the development of a Shade and UV Protection Strategy / Policy.

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Annexure 7: Shade Provision: Suggested text for inclusion in Local Strategic Planning Statements (NSW Shade Working Group 2018) Refer to https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/getmedia/2758ee07-098f-45cf-807a- c8d711dea6b7/Shade-provision-Suggested-text-for-Planning-Statements-NSW-Skin-Cancer- Prevention-Strategy.PDF

Glossary

Abbreviation Explanation

CCNSW Cancer Council NSW

DCP Development Control Plan

DPIE NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment

EP&A Act NSW Environmental Planning & Assessment Act

GSC Greater Sydney Commission

JO Joint Organisation (of councils)

LGA Local Government Area

LHD NSW Local Health District

LEP Local Environmental Plan

LG Act NSW Local Government Act

LSPS Local Strategic Planning Statement

SEPP NSW State Environmental Planning Policy

The Institute Cancer Institute NSW

UV Ultraviolet radiation

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