But there are no plans to put more shade into The Levee shared zone beyond what’s already there.

With temperatures frequently sitting in the 30s in recent weeks – and climbing as high as the mid 40s on a couple of occasions – questions have arisen about the need for more shade in The Levee. 

While there are three small shade structures in front of the council-owned kiosk outside Hunter Mall, and umbrellas above the public tables and chairs that line the shared zone, the weather has made its mark on foot traffic during hot days.

Possims Books in the Mall manager Chris Hollander said he chose not to open his High Street store on February 11 when blistering temperatures kept most people indoors or in the water – rather than out shopping.

“There’s no traffic at all [on hot days], people go to the shopping centres,” he said.

“It was pointless, making the effort of spending six or seven hours here and making no sales.”

When asked whether Maitland City Council had plans to install more shade structures in The Levee shared zone, council’s major projects executive manager Wayne Cone referred to the trees that had been planted in the area.

“Shade in The Levee shared zone will increase as the trees continue to grow and more shade will be available in the public domain space through the Riverlink Building once it is completed,” he said.

Mr Hollander agreed that trees were the most practical shade solution in The Levee shared zone. 

But he questioned why six of the 20 round garden beds along High Street contained short grass shrubs rather than trees that would provide shade.

“There should be more trees,” he said. 

“Those two round things [opposite Possims] have no trees in them, they do absolutely nothing for the place. If you have a whole row of trees, it would be a lot better.”

A council spokesperson said there were no plans to put trees in the spaces that contained shrubs. He said only the circular garden beds that already contained trees were equipped to cope with growing tree roots.

“No trees were planned to be planted in locations that would obstruct views of buildings with contributory heritage significance,” he said.