Heat prompts call for beach shade

Bunbury residents have sweltered through the city’s hottest summer since records began.

Air conditioning systems went into overdrive as the mercury climbed to an average maximum temperature of 30.6C, well above the average summer maximum of 28.8.

Experiencing nine consecutive days of temperatures over 32C, the city also endured its highest average minimum temperature of 16.4C, compared to an average summer minimum temperature of 14.7C.

As scorching conditions continue to send people flocking to the beach in search of respite, the Cancer Council Western Australia is calling on shires and councils across WA to provide more shade structures.

SunSmart acting manager Mark Strickland said the council looked to local government to provide shade and would like to see more shade structures on beaches.

Mr Strickland said although people should wear sunglasses, protective clothing, hats and use sunscreen, it was up to their councils to provide them with shade.

‘‘It’s an issue of public health and the common good, councils can respond to that as their resources allow and also in response to pressure they might receive from their rate-payers,’’ Mr Strickland said.

While most Bunbury beaches have shade structures, Koombana Bay is the only to have shade structures on the beach.

But the bay’s A-frame structures will soon be a thing of the past as those damaged by vandals will not to be replaced.

A City of Bunbury spokesman said the city had erected shade sails over established grassed areas of the Back Beach and Jetty Baths in lieu of replacing the A-frames.

There are no current plans to install more shade sails along he waterfront.

City of Bunbury Surf Life Saving Club president Peter Duncan said it would be fantastic to have shade on the city’s beaches but said all people could do in the mean time was slip, slop and slap.