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PDF printable version of 47 Communities Step into Summer with Healthy Habits (PDF 38 KB)

Joint Release

The Hon Nicola Roxon MP
Minister for Health and Ageing

Rob Mitchell MP
Member for McEwen

6 December 2011

47 communities around the nation will step into summer with healthy habits as a result of new healthy eating and exercise programs designed to help combat obesity.

Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon today joined Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell to announce that 47 local governments around the country will receive funding to run programs that encourage and support people to adopt and sustain healthier lifestyles.

Minister Roxon said that each local government will receive a grant of $566,000 as part of the third round of the Gillard Government’s $72 million Healthy Communities Initiative.

“We want to keep Australians healthy and out of hospital and programs like Healthy Communities provide practical support to people looking to make a change,” Minister Roxon said.

“Stepping confidently into summer with healthy habits will be made easier by getting involved in local walking groups, cycling to work or getting your hands dirty in a community garden.

“Over 77% of the local government areas selected have combined rates of overweight and obesity rates above the Australian average and experience significant social and economic disadvantage, so we are targeting this funding where its needed the most.

Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell said innovative physical activity and healthy eating programs have been proven to make a real difference to local communities.

“Programs like Healthy Communities make it easier for families looking to make a healthy change.”

“We know that preventive health measures work and these projects will focus on at-risk populations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, new wave migrants and those living with disabilities.”

The Healthy Communities program is part of a $872 million commitment to preventive health promotion, the largest ever made by an Australian Government. 45 local governments received funding in the first two rounds.

In round three, there will be 13 projects in New South Wales, 11 in Victoria, 9 in Queensland, 7 in Western Australia, 6 in South Australia, and 1 in Tasmania. Details of each project are provided below.

More information about the Healthy Communities program is available from: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/healthyactive/publishing.nsf/Content/healthy-communities

For all media inquiries, please contact the Minister's Office on 02 6277 7220

Details
New South Wales

Canterbury City Council

The Canterbury Healthy Active Together (CHAT) project will deliver the National Programs Beat It, Heartmoves, HEAL and Heart Foundation Walking. Partnerships with local organisations will also enable a variety of local programs and activities to be offered, including swimming and yoga classes, exercise classes for older Australians, and culturally appropriate classes on how to cook healthy meals.

Auburn City Council

The Auburn Healthy Living project will offer the National Programs Beat It, Heart Foundation Walking, Austcycle, Lift for Life, HEAL and Heartmoves. These will be complemented by local programs and activities including swimming and aqua fitness programs, opportunities to try new sports, and physical activity and healthy eating programs for specific groups such as mothers and older Australians.

Liverpool City Council

The Live Well in Liverpool project will utilise the National Programs Austcycle and Heart Foundation Walking. A range of local activities will also be incorporated to promote healthy lifestyles. These will include establishing an exercise park and providing hospitality training and nutritional education through a community kitchen.

Queanbeyan City Council

The Queanbeyan Healthy Communities project will include the National Programs Heartmoves, Heart Foundation Walking, HEAL and Lift for Life. Local programs and activities that will complement the National Programs include multicultural exercise classes for older people, cooking workshops focusing on healthy eating, and the development of a Healthy Living Guide for Queanbeyan residents.

Mid-Western Regional Council

The Mid-Western Live Smart project will implement the National Programs Austcycle and Heartmoves. A variety of local programs and activities that will teach participants how to live healthier lifestyles will also be incorporated. These include the Fresh Food Box program which teaches nutrition and budgeting skills, practical cooking classes focusing on healthy food, and the creation of a bicycle and helmet loaning pool to promote cycling.

Griffith City Council

The Community Heart Griffith project will engage a number of National Programs including Beat It, Heartmoves and Austcycle. Local activities and programs that will be offered through the project include a community garden, nutrition education programs, and a 12 week challenge to promote healthy lifestyles.

Bega Valley Shire Council

The "Moo.. Ve your body" Eat Well Be Active in the Bega Valley project will engage with the HEAL National Program as well as Living Strong and a Pit Stop Men's Health program. Healthy eating will be promoted through nutrition education and classes on how to prepare quick meals on a budget. The project will also focus on building the capacity of the community through strengthening partnerships and a volunteer program, as well as the installation of outdoor gym equipment.

Lismore City Council

The Move2Change project will engage with National Programs including HEAL, Heartmoves, and the Heart Foundation Walking Program. Local activities that will complement the National Programs include the Join in Men (JIM) health and weight management program, Learn to Swim for female refugees, and FOODCents.

Guyra Shire Council

The Healthy Highlanders project will implement the National Programs HEAL, Beat It and Heartmoves. A range of physical activity options will also be delivered in collaboration with a range of existing partners.

Murray Shire Council (partnering with Shire of Campaspe Council)

The Murray Campaspe Get Active, Eat Well project will include the National Programs Beat It, HEAL, and Heart Foundation Walking. A variety of local programs and activities including community gardens and kitchens, a healthy lifestyle program for Aboriginal women, and exercise classes for older Australians will complement the National Programs.

Nambucca Shire Council

The Live Healthy Nambucca project will engage a number of National Programs including Beat It, Heartmoves and Heart Foundation Walking. A range of services and activities will be delivered through key project partners and providers including FOODCents, healthy shopping and cooking classes, and exercise classes. Community gardens and outdoor exercise stations will also be developed to promote healthy lifestyles.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council

The Move, Eat, Live Well project will incorporate the National Programs Austcycle, HEAL, and Heart Foundation Walking. Local activities that will complement the National Programs include healthy eating workshops and cooking demonstrations, a healthy BBQ Challenge, and the installation of outdoor exercise equipment for community use.

Walgett Shire Council

The Healthy Communities Walgett Shire project will utilise the National Program Beat It to facilitate weight loss and promote healthy lifestyles amongst participants. A variety of local programs and activities that promote healthy eating and physical activity will also be implemented including healthy cooking demonstrations, aqua fitness classes, educational supermarket tours focusing on healthy eating, and a shire Olympic Games. The project will also include strategies to support local food outlets to provide healthy eating options.

Victoria

Kingston City Council (partnering with Bayside City Council)

The City of Kingston, in partnership with the City of Bayside will lead the Eat Well and Go! project with the support of a range of local service providers that will collectively plan for health and wellbeing. The project will engage with National Programs including Lift for Life and the Heart Foundation Walking Program. The project will also implement a range of activities through existing partnerships including community gardens, community kitchens, walking groups and cycling programs complemented by the installation of exercise equipment in Namatjira Park.

City of Darebin

The Healthy Moves project will implement Austcycle and Heart Foundation Walking National Programs along with a variety of local activities including bicycle and mobility aid repair, active transport maps, subsidised gym memberships, exercise in the park sessions, construction of outdoor gyms, community cooking classes and groups, and fruit and vegetable gardening classes.

Wyndham City Council

The Activate Wyndham project will engage the Lift for Life program, Heartmoves and Heart Foundation Walking. In addition, the project will focus on the activation of open spaces and deliver a range of accessible physical activity and recreation programs including community kitchens, a community garden and the Food Patch program. Partnerships for healthy lifestyles and a mentoring network will also be established.

Melton Shire Council

The Live Eat GO! project will implement the National Programs HEAL, Heart Foundation Walking, Austcycle and Lift for Life in the community. A range of local programs will also be implemented including nutrition sessions focusing on people aged over 50, Life Long Cooking, the Melton Walkers Program, Shire Cycle, On Ya Bike and the development of an Active Melton webpage.

City of Whittlesea

The Whittlesea Healthy Futures project will implement the Beat It and Heart Foundation Walking programs as well as community gardens, community kitchens, community events that focus on healthy living, outdoor gym sessions and the development of targeted resources and directories. The project will also undertake a disability needs analysis and relevant policy development.

Bass Coast Shire Council

The Healthy Living in Bass Coast project will utilise a number of National Programs including HEAL, Heart Foundation Walking and Lift for Life. In addition, community gardens, community kitchen programs, health education community information sessions and Frisbee golf events will be implemented in the community.

Moorabool Shire Council

The Healthy Active Moorabool project will implement the Heart Foundation Walking and AustCycle National Programs. This will be complemented by a range of local activities including the Eat Well for Life program, a community kitchen and the Make a Move program.

Moreland City Council

The Healthy Active Moreland project will utilise a number of National Programs including HEAL, Beat It, Heart Foundation Walking, Lift for Life and Heartmoves. Additional activities include Active Parks, the Get Back on your Bike program, installation of an outdoor gym, a community garden, a traffic light program to assist residents to make healthy eating choices and leisure centre outreach programs. A significant marketing campaign will also be undertaken that will provide education on healthy living for the community.

Baw Baw Shire Council

The Healthy Baw Baw project will engage with three National Programs - Austcycle, Beat It and Heart Foundation Walking. These programs will be complemented by a range of other activities including a Street Party Program, Baw Baw Healthy October that incorporates a range of activities and events, a bike gear donation program, community gardens and a Healthy Parks and Paths program. The project will also build the capacity of the community through a range of training and education activities including recruiting and skilling local champions, and community gardens education.

Swan Hill Rural City Council

The ‘Eat, Move & Live in the Heart of the Murray’ project will engage three National Programs - HEAL, Heartmoves and Heart Foundation Walking. Local project activities will include modification and enhancement of existing healthy lifestyle programs to meet the needs of target populations, community kitchens, bush tucker gardens, and a new Indigenous physical exercise group. Two walking tracks with outdoor gym equipment will also be installed..

Mount Alexander Shire Council

The Healthy Living in Mount Alexander Shire project will be developed through community consultation, needs analysis and mapping of existing healthy living programs, activities and infrastructure. The Heart Foundation Walking and Heartmoves National Programs will be implemented along with other key activities including a social marketing strategy, Come and Try events, community gardens and kitchens, Tai Chi for people with arthritis and the LIFE program. The project will also provide a range of training and education opportunities for community members in the delivery of these activities.

Queensland

Brisbane City Council

The Joining the Dots: Working together for a healthier Brisbane project will engage with National Programs including HEAL, Heartmoves and the Heart Foundation Walking Program. The project will also deliver a range of services and activities through sustainable partnerships and expand existing Lifestyle Modification Programs, including Living Strong and Living Well.

Toowoomba Regional Council

The C.H.A.N.G.E. (Creating Healthy, Active, Nutritionally Good Environments) project will engage with National Programs including Beat It, Heartmoves, Austcycle, Lift for Life and HEAL. CHANGE will increase the availability and accessibility of Lifestyle Modification Programs including Lighten Up, Living Strong and Living Well in addition to subsidised memberships at health and fitness centres, health check pitstops and an ‘Active and Healthy Families’ program.

Mackay Regional Council

The Active and Healthy Mackay Regionproject will utilise the Beat It, Heartmoves and Heart Foundation Walking National Programs. Local activities will include Gentle Exercise Sessions, Community Gardens, Lighten Up, Living Strong and FoodCents programs. Community Leaders will also be encouraged to undertake training and education activities to contribute to the project’s sustainability.

Gold Coast City Council

The Active and Healthy Communities Project - Northern Gold Coast project will expand the Council's ‘Active and Healthy’ Program into Northern areas of the Gold Coast and provide opportunities for residents to participate in free and low cost physical activity programs such as community gardens, healthy eating initiatives and community cooking workshops. The project will implement several National Program Grants including Heart Foundation Walking, Austcycle, Heart Moves and Lift for Life.

Bundaberg Regional Council

The Bundaberg: ‘Healthy for Life’ project will include the delivery of the Heartmoves program in conjunction with Lighten Up and Living Strong lifestyle modification programs and the establishment of local Heart Foundation Walking Groups. Other aspects of the project include building on successful local programs, such as ‘Walk It Off’ and existing wellbeing and self esteem programs.

Rockhampton Regional Council

The Kickstart CQ healthy eating and healthy activity for life project will utilise the Heartmoves and Heart Foundation Walking National Programs. These programs will be complemented by existing local programs including Lighten Up, Living Strong, nutrition and food label reading workshops, and the expansion of the existing Kickstart CQ program.

Tablelands Regional Council

The Wellbeing Tablelands project will engage with five National Programs: Beat It, HEAL, Heartmoves, Heart Foundation Walking and Lift for Life. These programs will be complemented by a range of other activities including FoodCents, Lighten Up, Living Strong, healthy food expos and subsidised fees to assist target populations to participate in existing local healthy eating and physical activity programs. Outdoor facilities to support healthy eating activities such as cooking facilities and water fountains will also be installed.

Central Highlands Regional Council

The Healthy Highlanders project will implement the Heartmoves National Program along with local activities including Eat It and community gardens. The project will also provide training to community members to become accredited program facilitators.

Cook Shire Council (partnering with Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council)

The Living Well project will implement the Beat It Program as well as cooking classes, community gardens, information sessions on healthy living and activities to enhance local sporting and recreational activities. The project will also build the capacity of the community through a range of training and education activities including qualifications in fitness and sharing community garden expertise.

Western Australia

City of Belmont

The Count Us In – Creating Healthy Communities Together project will consist of the National Program Beat It, a healthy lifestyle program specific to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the development of culturally appropriate fitness sessions, training and volunteer programs for community members, food budgeting and preparation education based on FOODcents, and gym memberships.

City of Armadale (partnering with City of Gosnell)

The EAT - ACT – LIVE project will incorporate National Programs including Heartmoves and Lift for Life with campaigns such as Swap it, FOODcents, Go for 2&5 and Find Thirty. A Healthy Around the House program will also be run aimed at using local facilities for physical activity and nutrition sessions conducted by a qualified nutritionist.

City of Rockingham (partnering with Town of Kwinana)

The Life at the Core project will be a blend of the HEAL, Heartmoves and Heart Foundation Walking National Programs and free outdoor gym stations, a strength based training program, healthy eating, shopping and food preparation sessions, men’s camps and a cultural preparation group.

Shire of Kalamunda

The Healthy Life Challenge project centres on community kitchens that will involve educational sessions covering topics such as food safety and hygiene, nutrition, budgeting, shopping and kitchen gardening followed by a practical cooking session. Healthy Life Challenge will include subsidised gym memberships, a 10,000 step challenge and National Programs – Heart Foundation Walking, Heartmoves and Austcycle.

Shire of Katanning

The Katanning, Healthy & Wealthy in Life! project will provide support and training to local champions to build community capacity, community bike rides, cooking classes, a recipe book, subsidised physical activity classes and three National Programs - HEAL, Heartmoves and the Heart foundation Walking.

Town of Narrogin (partnering with Shire of Narrogin, Shire of Cuballing and Shire of Wickepin)

The Narrogin Healthy Lifestyles project will incorporate National Programs namely HEAL, Heartmoves and Beat It. A range of complementary recreational and fitness programs will build on the National Programs adding to the choice of activities on offer in the community. These include the development of a community garden, culturally appropriate and Indigenous-run sports groups, a walking program for seniors and a combination of aerobic fitness and lifestyle education delivered locally.

City of Mandurah

The One Mandurah – Everyone Deserves a Chance at a Healthy Lifestyle project will review current café menus at city run venues, develop a healthy eating policy, and promote access to existing physical activity and healthy food options. The project will expand existing community gardens and incorporate the following National Programs – Heart Foundation Walking, Heartmoves, Austcycle and Beat It.

South Australia

Campbelltown City Council (partnering with City of Norwood Payneham)

The Campbelltown Eastern HOPE – Healthy Options for Physical Activity and Eating project will engage with National Programs including HEAL and Heart Foundation Walking. Local complementary programs and activities include an exercise and lifestyle program for people over 65, peer education seminars, promotion and support to access existing community programs, and community health education campaigns.

City of Holdfast Bay

The Holdfast Bay Let’s get Healthy – a lifestyle change for the future project will implement several National Programs including AustCycle, Lift for Life, HEAL and Heart Foundation Walking. Local programs will include a community garden, healthy cooking classes and programs, the WiseMove program, exercise programs using outdoor fitness equipment, community events and utilisation of established programs such as yoga and pilates.

City of Tea Tree Gully

The Tea Tree Gully Healthy Lifestyle Choices project will implement two National Programs - HEAL and Heartmoves. The project will also deliver local activities including nutrition and physical activity programs, better balance classes, fitball classes, community fitness equipment and nutrition seminars.

City of Onkaparinga

The Healthy Active Lifestyle Onkaparinga (HALO) project will implement the National Program Heart Foundation Walking. In addition to this, the project will deliver local programs including the Get Active Feel Healthy Program, an over 50’s health and fitness program, a disability and carers program, the Magic Harvest program, Community Foodies cooking classes and a small grants program. A healthy catering policy and a reference group will also be established.

City of Whyalla

The Whyalla Active Together Creating Health project will implement two National Programs - Heart Foundation Walking and Beat It. Local activities include the JUMPStart program, Shape up for Life program, events to raise awareness of the importance of healthy living and support groups.

Renmark Paringa Council

The Renmark Paringa Riverlife – Get Into It project will implement several National Programs including Beat It, Lift for Life and Heart Foundation Walking. Local complementary activities will include a pedometer challenge, bush walks, monthly community information sessions, activity weeks, a fruit program, a community gym, and a health expo.

Tasmania

Central Highlands Council (partnering with Northern Midlands Council and Southern Midlands Council)

The Central Tasmania Healthy Communities Initiative project will include the national programs Heart Foundation Walking, Heartmoves, Beat It and HEAL. These programs will be complemented by a range of other local community based physical activity programs conducted by qualified exercise physiologists as well as healthy eating programs conducted by qualified dieticians and health professionals.