Why develop a SunSmart Council policy?

The successful introduction of a sun protection policy requires a lot of planning and work, but the results are worth it. A comprehensive sun protection policy template (Word, 55KB) will help guide the process.

Key areas in the development of council sun protection policies and practices are:

• the development of policies and guidelines for specific groups (eg, outdoor workers) and areas (eg, outdoor pools, parks, gardens and sports facilities)
• building strong relationships between local government decision makers and sun protection advocates
• including shade provision in the design of community and sporting facilities
• including sun protection considerations in building codes and planning requirements
• encouraging councils to take steps to provide seasonably usable shade that also allows sunlight for warmth and health in recreational settings
• adopting a systematic process for planning shade for locations where the public could be at risk of over-exposure to sun.

Interested in a SunSmart policy for your sports club? Check out the Partnerships section to download a sample policy and see what other organisations have done.

Download our detailed resource about working with councils (PDF, 2.6MB).