Scarborough Beach Pool and Optus Stadium have been named among Perth’s worst public venues for their lack of shade.

Cancer Council WA has criticised the “many” public places in Perth that fail to put shade in place, saying it was disappointed to see how often shade was neglected in the planning of infrastructure.

It comes after survey results from 70 respondents revealed Scarborough Beach Pool, Optus Stadium, One71 Pump Track in Baldivis and Oats Street Train Station were considered the four worst public places for shade in Perth.

Topping the list for the best shade available were Russell Brown Park in Mosman Park, Tomato Lake Playground in Kewdale. Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre and Jo Wheathley All Abilities Play Space in Dalkeith.

Camera Icon Optus Stadium. Credit: Jackson Flindell / The West Australian

Given Perth’s high UV Index, SunSmart manager Mark Strickland said the failure by some venues to provide enough shade – a “basic requirement” – was “unacceptable”.

“In Perth we only get 15 days per year where the UV Index doesn’t reach 3, so it’s important that public facilities and open spaces provide places where people can retreat from the harsh UV,” he said.

“Sometimes there is an outcry about the lack of shade when a new facility is launched but by that point it is too late; budgets have been spent and we know that attempts to retrofit shade are both more expensive and less effective than designing it in from the start.

“Ninety per cent of respondents said they would like to see more shade at their specified site and 78 per cent said they would spend more time at the particular site if there was more shade available.”

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