MEDIA RELEASE 5 July 2011
Cradle Coast’s Healthy Communities Initiative extended by two years The Australian Government has extended the Healthy Communities Initiative with the Cradle Coast Authority for an extra two years and $566,042 of funding. The extension enables the nine member Councils of the North West to continue developing locally‐ appropriate programs to help those most in need of assistance to stay healthy and out of hospital. The Healthy Communities Initiative commenced as a pilot in the region in July last year. Since that time the Councils with the support of the Cradle Coast Authority have launched 24 projects and engaged more than 1500 people in programs to increase physical activity and improve poor nutrition and unhealthy weight. The Cradle Coast Authority’s Healthy Communities Coordinator, Bev Hayhurst, listed the Burnie Challenge, Swim the West Coast, King Island Growing Old Living Dangerously!, Waratah Moves and Kentish Cook for Life as just some of the region’s many activities supported by the Australian Government’s program. “The excellent work of the Councils and their Community Development staff and the willingness of people to have a go have all helped to secure this extension to June 2013,” Ms Hayhurst said. “The additional funds mean we can keep tackling the alarming increase in obesity and other lifestyle related conditions caused by unhealthy weight. It’s great that we’ll soon be seeing more subsidised or free healthy communities’ activities right around the region.” Federal Member for Braddon, Sid Sidebottom MP, said the Healthy Communities Initiative is a proven success wherever it has been adopted. “These initiatives succeed because they are locally‐driven, are fun, educative and healthy, and are very socially inclusive. Indeed, one can become healthier by doing it with others,” Mr. Sidebottom said. “The extension funding will allow a lot more communities to experience this terrific program.” The Healthy Communities Initiative is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing through the Council of Australian Government (COAG); it aims to maximise participation in healthy lifestyle programs, particularly for people not in the paid workforce. Media Contacts: Bev Hayhurst ‐ Healthy Communities Coordinator Shane Broad ‐ Chief of Staff Office of Sid Sidebottom ‐ Federal Member for Braddon Cradle Coast Authority Ph: 0408 168 270 Ph: 6431 1333
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