Wollongong City Council has launched a series of community programs and activities aimed at supporting a healthy lifestyle.

Council has received funding through the Federal Government’s National Partnership Agreement on Preventative Health to deliver community-based physical activity and healthy eating programs as part of the Healthy Communities Initiative.

The Healthy Communities Initiative Wollongong project is targeted towards adults who aren’t predominantly in full-time paid work and who may be at risk of developing weight-related chronic disease. This may include unemployed people, part time and casual workers and older Australians.

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery OAM said the Healthy Communities Initiative would support residents to develop a healthy lifestyle.

“Council is proud to be delivering this initiative which will improve community health and wellbeing to enable citizens to participate more fully in community life,” Cr Bradbery said.

“This is part of my vision for Wollongong as a healthy lifestyle city.  It also means we can take the pressure off the hospital system in reducing obesity, blood pressure, diabetes, stress disorders and so on.”

From January 2012 until June 2013, Council will provide and support a range of physical activity programs, install outdoor fitness equipment at Lakeside Park in Kanahooka, and provide funding to support Stir it Up!, a healthy eating program.
Additional resources on healthy lifestyles will be purchased for the City’s libraries.

Cr Bradbery said Council will also undertake a review of its policies and guidelines to ensure they support healthy lifestyles.
 “The Healthy Communities Initiative is a diverse and holistic one that will hopefully assist our community to learn about and develop healthy lifestyles.

“It’s a wide-ranging initiative that provides practical activities together with education as well as policies to help improve community wellbeing.”