Over the last two years, Meander Valley Council in Tasmania’s north has introduced a series of initiatives aimed at steering employees towards healthier lifestyles.
Council is offering staff free regular skin, eye, hearing and medical checks, flu injections and access to massage and counselling services.
A fitness gym has also been installed at Council offices and in turn for free use of the facilities, a community member who is fully trained as a fitness instructor is developing individual training programs at no charge to Council staff.
In addition, a Council road cycling group has been established, with participants regularly riding together up to two or three times a week.
The group comprises both Council staff and community members, most of whom are beginners discovering the benefits of pedal power for the first time. This interest has been prompted by the fact that Meander Valley is one of the first Tasmanian councils to establish its own cycling strategy.
Led by Mayor Mark Shelton, the group took on the New Horizons Great Western Tiers Cycle Challenge last March. It was successful in winning the Corporate Challenge, having collectively ridden the greatest distance across the municipality.
General Manager Greg Preece said research indicates that employees who are supported in improving their health become more productive and motivated at work.
“It is important, however, that senior management lead by example,” he said. “Here at Meander Valley, we now have much more interdepartmental contact and there is a positive buzz about the place that I attribute to these health initiatives.”
For further information contact David Pyke, Council’s Director Governance and Community Services, on (03) 6393 5300.
