Wollongong City Council has received a $703,000 shot in the arm from the Federal government’s Healthy Communities Initiative.

The funding grant will allow enable Council to employ a Healthy Communities Project Coordinator who will work with partner organisations: the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health Network, Healthy Cities Illawarra and the Multi-cultural Communities Council of Illawarra, to run programs in healthy eating, exercise and health information for the community.

The funding will also support Council in purchasing and installing outdoor fitness equipment in the city’s southern suburbs and provide books and DVD resources on healthy living and eating for the city’s libraries.

Council’s General Manager David Farmer said the funding initiative is a welcome boost to help the people of our city to improve their health and wellbeing. “The project will open the door to a healthier lifestyle for members of our community who may have difficulty accessing or affording health and nutrition programs and who are particularly at risk of lifestyle-related illness, such as diabetes or heart disease.

“This initiative from the Federal government is most welcome and I thank the Federal Member for Cunningham Sharon Bird for her efforts in supporting Council in obtaining this funding, which will be provided over the period 2011-2013.”

The program will enable Council to:

• Employ a Healthy Communities Coordinator to project manage the program
• Purchase Outdoor fitness equipment for community land in the city’s southern suburbs
• Purchase books and DVD resources on healthy living for libraries
• Conduct healthy eating and physical activity seminars in libraries and Community Centres (in partnership with Illawarra Division of General Practice).
• Co-fund an established community development program (Stir It Up) facilitated by Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health Network and Healthy Cities Illawarra
• Fund a 12 week exercise and healthy lifestyle education/modification program (Beat It) managed by Council’s Beaton Park and Lakeside Leisure Centres in collaboration with the Australian Diabetes Council and Council’s CCL&S Division
• Provide opportunity for 90 older people of Culturally & Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds to participate in a ‘Heartmoves’ physical activity program
 

• Work with Austcycle to provide basic bike maintenance, cycle training, including beginner lessons, to support riding to work (or transport in general), health, fitness or recreation.

For more information you can visit Wollongong City Council’s website at www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au.