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 on Wednesday 12 August 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. The initiative was announced by Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health and Regional Service Delivery, Warren Snowden, and will be funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
It 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 National Heart Foundation CEO Dr Lyn Roberts.
“Cardiovascular disease kills one Australian nearly every ten 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 to reduce their risk of developing preventable conditions such as heart disease. Healthy Spaces and Places helps professionals create environments that encourage us to be active.”
PIA National President Neil Savery said Healthy Spaces and Places is groundbreaking for planners, designers and 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,” he said.
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 visit www.healthyplaces.org.au
