MINISTER LAUNCHES LANDMARK PLANNING INITIATIVE
August 12, 2009
Planning that prioritises walking, cycling and public transport ahead of motor cars is the centrepiece of Healthy Spaces and Places, a major national initiative, unveiled today at the annual Built Environment Meets Parliament (BEMP) Summit at Parliament House Canberra.
In an Australian first, health, local government, planning and design experts have worked together to produce a national guide for creating sustainable communities in which healthy living is a key priority.
Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing and announced by the Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health and Regional Service Delivery, the Hon Warren Snowden MP, Healthy Spaces and Places is a unique collaboration between the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), the National Heart Foundation of Australia and the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA).
'‘Australia has unprecedented levels of preventable disease,' said Dr Lyn Roberts, CEO - National, Heart Foundation. 'Cardiovascular disease kills one Australian nearly every 10 minutes. It affects more than 3.7 million Australians and prevents 1.4 million of us from living a full life because of disability caused by the disease. Overweight and obesity is affecting about half of Australian adults and up to one in four children.'
'The Heart Foundation is dedicated to helping all Australians reduce their risk of developing preventable conditions such as heart disease. Healthy Space and Places helps professionals create environments that encourage us to be active,' Dr Roberts said.
Neil Savery, PIA's National President, said Healthy Spaces and Places is ground breaking for planners, designers and the related professions. 'Healthy Spaces and Places spells out why we planners and our design colleagues must give priority to planning for people rather than private transport movements.
ALGA President Cr Geoff Lake said the recent announcement by the Australian Government of the $1 billion Community Infrastructure Program underlines the importance of designing and creating healthy environments to nurture active and vibrant communities.
"I strongly believe councils and governments can work together to plan sensitive, well-designed facilities and public spaces that will meet the needs of local residents now and into the future," he said. "Healthy Spaces and Places achieves this important goal."
For more information about Healthy Spaces and Places, go to: www.healthyplaces.org.au
- Media contacts:
- Amanda Lynch - Government Relations - Australian Local Government Association - 02 6122 9434 or 0419 123 862
- Nicole Osborne - Public Relations Manager - National Heart Foundation - 02 9219 2403 or 0432 754 907
- Jeff Benaud - Planning Institute of Australia - 02 6262 5933
