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SPECIAL REPORT: OUR PROBLEM WITH DIABETES Fast food debate rages
JADE HOBMAN
DOES Greater Blacktown have a problem with diabetes?
Looks like it, according to a swath of research done on our very own doorstep.
Research conducted at Blacktown Hospital in 2019 unveiled the diffi cult truth that the health and wellbeing of the City of Blacktown was inching ever closer to one in eight people being under serious threat. 100,000 diabetes blood tests were administered, as part of a Western Sydney
Diabetes (WSD) research initiative, on people passing through the Blacktown Hospital emergency department in 2019, which produced evidence of signifi cant high blood sugar levels in much of the community.
Dr Tien-Ming Hng at the Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology at Blacktown Hospital said at the time that 48 per cent of people tested either had diabetes, or pre-diabetes issues.
“Of the 100,000 tests conducted, 30.5 percent, or 30,533 tests, revealed a result consistent with pre-diabetes, and 17.4 per cent, or 17,435 tests, revealed a result consistent with diabetes (type 1 or type 2),” Dr Hng told The Pulse in 2019.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes Australia says the weighty and complex condition can aff ect the entire body, which can lead to some dire consequences. It has three diff erent types, type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes–the fastest growing kind of diabetes in the nation, aff ecting thousands of pregnant women. When someone has it, their body can’t maintain healthy levels of glucose in the blood, which can cause a range of complications.
In a recent WSD year-in-review report, it said diabetes has gone from being a relatively uncommon disease in the early 1990s, to an issue that 1 in 10 Australians face, driven much by an increase in type 2 diabetes.
They said the increased disease and death burden have been seen in heart attacks, heart failure, strokes, kidney failure, foot amputations, liver disease and blindness.
Heloise Tolar from WSD talked plainly about the prevalence of the disease in Western Sydney, with the highest incidences centred in on Mt Druitt.
“In a nutshell, Western Sydney is a diabetes hotspot with disease rates higher than the NSW average,” Ms Tolar told the Greater Blacktown News. “If this 'hotspot' is not addressed, within a decade it will cause an unsustainable economic and societal burden on the state's healthcare system.”
State Labor MP for Blacktown Stephen Bali said diabetes can often go undiagnosed and can cause havoc when it is not attended to in a timely manner.
“The problem with diabetes is that it just kind of sneaks up on you,” Mr Bali told the Blacktown News. “Your eyesight slowly fails, or some of the symptoms of diabetes is bad circulation, so the challenge is there.”
– Steve Bali.
Continued on page 13
WHERE TO GET THE NEWS ISSUE 8 | NOVEMBER 2021 TRUSTED LOCAL NEWS WWW.GREATERBLACKTOWNNEWS.COM.AU
Grab a copy of the Blacktown News at any of these popular distribution outlets
Blacktown Mayor Tony Blacktown Mayor Tony Bleasdale with NSW Bleasdale with NSW Labor leader Chris and Labor leader Chris and with staff at Blackktown with staff at Blackktown Workers Club. Workers Club.
NSW Labor leader, Chris Minns visited Blacktown Workers Club last week to express his support for the Blacktown businesses community. The leader’s visit comes as Blacktown Workers Club gears up for a special event on November 16 called Blacktown Bouncing Back (BBB)). BBB is a collaborative project created to inform and educate teams in and around Blacktown about adaption, protection and redefining success as we progress from lockdown. “We need Western Sydney to bounce back as it is the heartbeat of New South Wales and the third largest economic zone in Australia,” Mr Minns said." MORE PAGE 3. Blacktown beauty shines: 16 Free event open to business THIS EDITION BOUNCING BACK BOUNCING BACK THIS EDITION SCAN QR code for details
Nine years of Council - what's been acheived: 23
Blacktown City blacktown.nsw.gov.au
Blacktown Snapshot
403,000
population
18.81 billion
regional economy
4.6%
average economic growth
26,141
registered businesses
143,259
local jobs
Blacktown Council Blacktown Council Libaries Riverstone Newsagent Blacktown RSL Blacktown Sports Club Blacktown Travelodge The Australian Hotel Vineyard Motel Fox Hills Golf Club Lillys Function Centre Blacktown Chamber events Blacktown FC Toongabbie Bowling Sports Club Wests Tradies Stanhope Leisure Centre Blacktown Workers Club Prospect Hotel Seven Hills Plaza Stanhope Gardens Library Lalor Park Library Riverstone Library
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THIS EDITION
Blacktown doctor Jana Pittman competes in SAS TV.
SAS JANA
BLACKTOWN Hospital’s famous Olympian Dr Jana Pittman has swapped her stethoscope for a grueling survival challenge in the latest series of ‘SAS’ TV on the Seven Network. Jana’s roller coaster ride of triumph, defeat, failure and success throughout her life makes her ideal for the rigorous format of the show. The 38-year-old dual Olympian is one of the 18 celebrities who will be subjected to extreme physical and psychological testing on the upcoming military-style show. More page 5. WESTPOINT backs domestic violence fight: 3 Mayor calls for local vaxx clinic: 6
Sub-branch answers calls for support: 10
Why Blacktown is tops for property investment: 14
Blacktown City blacktown.nsw.gov.au
Blacktown Snapshot
395,000
population
18.81 billion
regional economy
4.6%
average economic growth
24,990
registered businesses
143,259
local jobs 1
Blacktown MP, Stephen Bali.
Continued from page 12 Fast food on tap
Mr Bali said Blacktown Council made good inroads in diabetes prevention with a push to change the types of oils local food outlets used in cooking, and with their investment in the Blacktown International Sportspark precinct in Rooty Hill. But he said the impact of the many fast-food outlets in the Greater Blacktown area has had substantial health consequences on the region.
In a presentation he did for the Council last year, Mr Bali illustrated the stark diff erences between 13 of the most popular fast-food outlets in the Blacktown City Council with the Northern Beaches Council.
He said the Blacktown area, where the population now sits at around 400,000, had 104 of the fast-food outlets. The Northern Beaches area, with about 274,000 people, had just 35. For instance, there are 23 McDonalds and 13 KFC outlets in Blacktown, and 5 and 4 in the Northern Beaches respectively, and the list tells a similar story with others like Dominos and Red Rooster.
Mr Bali also questioned why the Council, who have been advocating for a healthier Blacktown, didn’t have a problem with plans that have been in the air for a KFC to be built on Council land at the Sportspark precinct–a place that is supposed to be addressing healthy living in the area.
A development application for a KFC to be constructed at the Sportspark on 100 Eastern Road, Rooty Hill was approved by the NSW-appointed Independent Planning Panel in December last year.
“A lot of people always talk about healthy living and that’s why I put the pressure onto Council to say, your policies say we are unhealthy, but why are you using your own land to put a KFC on, instead of a healthy food option,” Mr Bali told the Blacktown News.
The Council said they understood the KFC project was discontinuing, and the consent authority for it is the Independent Planning Panel, not the Council.
“Council understands that despite planning approval for a KFC facility on the lot being given by an Independent Planning Panel, the development will not go ahead, and Council is not aware of any other interest on the site at present,” a Council spokesperson told the Greater Blacktown News.
But Mr Bali said that while Council is developing the land for commercial purposes, in partnership with the Western Sydney Wanderers, ‘Council as owner has the right of veto on what goes onto that land’.
Prevention and hope
The WSD year-in-review report said that diabetes is Australia’s largest disease burden, despite 80 per cent of it being preventable. And Mr Bali said smashing the potential onset of it can be as easy as getting a diabetes blood test done at your medical centre once a year–but said there’s a lot to be done to encourage lifestyle habit changes.
“It doesn’t take much to make small changes … starting up walking clubs, talking to schools and getting better programs, assessment and monitoring during students’ schooling life,” Mr Bali said.
“We need to raise awareness on health checks, so when you go to the doctor, just get a basic blood check-up–I did mine in November last year, which was the fi rst one I had done in four years–if you allow your health to diminish too much, it’s a lot harder to get it back.”
Meanwhile, a documentary series aired on SBS last year raised hope for suff erers as science journalist Dr Michael Mosley claimed type 2 diabetes could not only be prevented but be reversed with diet. The series – Australia’s Health Revolution with Dr Michael Mosley–revealed Dr Mosley’s own struggles after being diagnosed and how he got his blood sugars back to normal sans medication.
Still, Diabetes Australia said there is currently no cure for diabetes, but those with it can live an enjoyable life by learning about it and how to eff ectively manage it–there is much support out there.
One service is the Get Healthy Service, which off ers all NSW residents over 16 years free telephone health coaching with top qualifi ed health professionals for up to six months. You can register online or call 1300 806 258, 800am to 800pm Monday to Friday.
KEYS TO PREVENTION
Researchers are currently looking into how type 1 diabetes can be prevented, but there are evidence-based activities that can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes, which include: • Maintaining a healthy weight • Regular physical activity • Making healthy food choices • Managing blood pressure • Managing cholesterol levels • Not smoking
Source: Diabetes Australia
CONNECTING LOCAL BUSINESSES TO GROW THE BLACKTOWN ECONOMY
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Consider joining us at Blacktown City Lions and make your mark. We undertake a range of projects to support and give back to our local community through direct action. Meeting on the 2nd Monday of each month there is something for everyone.
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GARAGE & BOOK SALE GARAGE & BOOK SALE 26th & 27th March (9am—2pm) 34 Mary Street,
WESTFIELD MT DRUITT EXPANSION Next level entertainment area
SCENTRE Group, together with its joint venture partner Dexus Wholesale Property Fund, has opened the doors to Westfield Mt Druitt’s highly anticipated $55M rooftop dining, entertainment and lifestyle precinct.
Designed specifi cally for the Western Sydney community, the 6,500 sqm precinct takes the centre’s dining and lifestyle off ering to the ‘next level’ with 15 new dining experiences, including; The Sporting Globe, TGI Fridays, Mad Mex, San Churro, Little Bangkok, ChaTime, Baskin Robbins and a large-scale Timezone.
Scentre Group Regional Centre Experience Manager, Danii Ashton said: “We’re so excited to be welcoming our customers and new retail partners to Westfi eld Mt Druitt’s brand-new rooftop dining, entertainment and lifestyle precinct.
“Our vision was to create a dynamic destination for the Mt Druitt community to come together and enjoy quality time with friends and family.
“This investment in Westfi eld Mt Druitt celebrates our connection to the local community and our commitment to delivering experiences that meet their needs and interests, now and into the future.
“We are incredibly proud of what we’ve delivered and have already seen a fantastic response in these fi rst few hours from our customers.”
Opening day celebrations, including live entertainment, exclusive off ers, giveaways will continue across the weekend.
For more information about Westfi eld Mt Druitt’s new rooftop dining and entertainment precinct or the schedule of events, please visit: www.westfi eld.com.au/ mtdruitt
The next level line-up of new dining and entertainment experiences includes: • Timezone – Will feature over 75 of the latest and greatest arcade games, a Laser Tag arena, Spin Zone Bumper Cars tracks, bowling lanes, dedicated multi-purpose party rooms and a Winners Vault for prizes and redemptions. • The Sporting Globe - A place where fans, fanatics, friends, and families can gather and celebrate their passion for sport. • TGI Fridays - Serving up your favourite American dishes right off the grill, beer is always on tap and every day feels like a Friday at TGI Fridays • Enzo’s Cucina – Known for its unique atmosphere and prides itself on being a family-run restaurant making homemade Italian food from the freshest ingredients, in a cosy, family-friendly environment. • Pappa Rich – Offering customers a taste of Malaysian culture and cuisine, whether through a plate of Nasi Lemak or a crunchy, buttery Roti Canai, all with a cup of Teh Tarik.
Opening of Westfeild Mt Druitt expansion.
• Slim’s Quality Burgers – A contemporary-classic burger offering inspired by 1950s and '60s
Americana made only from the highest quality, locally source ingredients. • Pho Master – Savour Vietnamese food that will combine many elements of culinary traditions.
• Lilong by Taste of Shanghai
- Lilong brings you an authentic
Shanghai community and street dining experience. It is all about lively, memorable round-thetable moments with friends and family. • Mad Mex - Offering fresh, gourmet, made-to-order Baja Mexican dishes combined with quick service, giving lovers of fresh
Mexican fare a vibrant dine-in or take-away option. • Little Bangkok – Serving up authentic and fabulous Thai street food along with more elaborate and complex restaurant-style dishes; as well as new and exciting combinations that are a union of traditional and contemporary techniques. • Caffe and Co – All day breakfast and brunch spot serving up classic breakfast and lunch cafe fare. • Baskin Robbins - The world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty shops. Baskin-Robbins® creates and markets innovative, premium ice cream, specialty frozen desserts
and beverages, providing quality and value to consumers. • Hero Sushi - Delicious sushi made fresh by Hero Sushi's talented team of chefs, trained by Japanese
Sushi Chefs. • San Churro - A destination for friends to come together and share a sweet moment. Where every amigo is welcome to celebrate life, the
Spanish way. • ChaTime - Australia's newest and most innovative bubble tea outlet; their delicious selection of iced teas is shaking up the game. • Pasha - The best quality of Turkish dishes, charming atmosphere, and truly unforgettable dining experience.
