Sun-drenched beach with giant umbrellas and sunscreen dispensers, promoting sun safety.

Sun-Safe Shores: How Coastal Towns Can Boost Sun Protection

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Rhea Morgan in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Uncover the gaps in sun protection policies at beaches and pools, and how communities can step up."


Australia faces a significant public health challenge with skin cancer, holding one of the highest per capita rates globally. The statistics are alarming: over 10,300 individuals are diagnosed with melanoma annually, and approximately 430,000 Australians are diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer each year. These figures underscore the urgent need for effective sun protection strategies, especially considering that a majority of Australians are likely to develop skin cancer by age 70.

The elevated levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation across Australia contribute significantly to these high rates. This is compounded by a population with predominantly sun-sensitive skin and lifestyles that encourage outdoor activities, particularly during childhood and adolescence. The allure of Australia's recreational spaces, while promoting an active lifestyle, also increases UV exposure.

Recognizing that environmental factors play a crucial role in health behaviors, this article examines a study auditing sun protection measures in outdoor recreational settings within New South Wales (NSW) coastal towns. The findings reveal critical gaps in current policies and practices, highlighting opportunities for improvement and intervention to better protect public health.

Are Our Beaches and Pools Really Sun-Safe? The Audit's Shocking Finds

Sun-drenched beach with giant umbrellas and sunscreen dispensers, promoting sun safety.

Researchers conducted a thorough audit of 30 public swimming pools, beaches, sports grounds, and skate parks in three NSW coastal towns. The aim was to evaluate the availability of shade, sun protection policies, and signage promoting sun safety. Visits were conducted both before and after the summer season (October 2009 and April 2010) to capture a comprehensive view of sun protection practices.

The audit revealed significant shortcomings across various recreational settings:

  • Shade Deficiencies: More than half of sports grounds (58%) lacked sufficient shade. Beaches (49%) and skate parks (40%) also showed concerning deficits, often relying on inadequate natural shade.
  • Pool Paradox: While pools were more likely to offer shade (36% coverage), and permanent shade structures (75%), main outdoor pool areas remained largely unprotected.
  • Limited Sunscreen Availability: Sunscreen was the most readily available sun protection product, offered either for free (at nine sites) or for sale (at eight sites).
  • Policy Gaps: All pools had at least one supportive sun protection policy. Alarmingly, only two of the 30 sites had any related signage to remind visitors of sun safety measures.
These findings underscore a critical need for improvements in sun protection strategies within these recreational environments. The lack of adequate shade, particularly at beaches, skate parks, and sports grounds, poses a significant risk to public health.

Turning the Tide: How to Make Our Communities Sun-Safe

The study's conclusions point towards a clear call to action: health-promoting organizations must actively support and engage local councils to invest in more comprehensive sun protection strategies. These strategies should focus on several key areas:

<ul><li><b>Prioritizing Shade:</b> Increasing shade provision, especially at beaches, skate parks, and sports grounds, is paramount.</li><li><b>Expanding Sun Protection:</b> Ensuring the availability of sunscreen and other protective items is essential.</li><li><b>Implementing Policies and Signage:</b> Introducing and enforcing comprehensive sun protection policies, accompanied by clear and informative signage, can promote behavioral changes.</li></ul>

By addressing these critical gaps, coastal towns can significantly improve sun protection within recreational environments, fostering healthier communities and reducing the risk of skin cancer for future generations.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1071/he11097, Alternate LINK

Title: Environmental Sun Protection And Supportive Policies And Practices: An Audit Of Outdoor Recreational Settings In Nsw Coastal Towns

Subject: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Journal: Health Promotion Journal of Australia

Publisher: CSIRO Publishing

Authors: Sofia Potente, Caroline Anderson, Muhsin Karim

Published: 2011-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

1

Why is skin cancer a major concern in Australia?

Australia faces a major public health challenge due to the high rates of skin cancer, with over 10,300 melanoma diagnoses annually and approximately 430,000 non-melanoma skin cancer diagnoses each year. The elevated levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation across Australia and the population's predominantly sun-sensitive skin contribute to these high rates. Effective sun protection strategies are crucial, especially considering most Australians are likely to develop skin cancer by age 70.

2

What did the audit study?

The audit assessed 30 public swimming pools, beaches, sports grounds, and skate parks in three NSW coastal towns. The researchers evaluated the availability of shade, sun protection policies, and signage promoting sun safety. The audit revealed significant deficiencies, including lack of shade at beaches, sports grounds, and skate parks, and limited signage. The findings highlight the need for improvements in sun protection strategies within recreational environments.

3

What were some of the major shade deficiencies found in the audit?

Shade deficiencies were a major finding. Over half of sports grounds (58%) lacked sufficient shade. Beaches (49%) and skate parks (40%) also showed concerning deficits. While pools were more likely to offer shade, the main outdoor pool areas remained largely unprotected. These deficits are significant because shade is a primary means of reducing UV exposure. Without adequate shade, individuals are at a higher risk of skin cancer.

4

What were the findings on sun protection policies and signage?

The study found that all pools had at least one supportive sun protection policy, but only two of the 30 sites had any related signage to remind visitors of sun safety measures. The lack of signage is a critical gap, as it limits awareness of sun protection measures. Policy implementation with proper signage is important for effective communication and promoting sun-safe behaviors. Without these reminders, the policies may not be as effective.

5

What actions are needed to improve sun protection in coastal towns?

Health-promoting organizations must support local councils to invest in more comprehensive sun protection strategies. The study's conclusions point to actions such as improving shade availability at beaches, skate parks, and sports grounds. It emphasizes the need for clear sun protection policies and the strategic placement of signage to promote sun safety. The goal is to reduce the risk of skin cancer by mitigating UV exposure in these recreational settings.

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