NSW communities to benefit from health grants

Posted February 16th 2010

by DPS

Twenty New South Wales (NSW) council programs aimed at improving the health of local communities have been awarded funding totalling more than $730,000, in a scheme that brings together NSW Health and the Local Government and Shires Associations.

The Healthy Communities grant scheme is funded by NSW Health, and helps councils promote positive health in communities vulnerable to ill health. It focuses on healthy weight, tobacco control, preventing falls in older people, and the responsible use of alcohol.

NSW Health Minister and Deputy Premier, Carmel Tebbutt, said communities across NSW would benefit from 47 councils, some working with the Local Aboriginal Land Councils, implementing preventative health initiatives.

“Local councils are well positioned to understand the health needs of local people,” Ms Tebbutt said.

“This scheme assists the councils promoting wellbeing in their communities, and funding will focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, those from culturally diverse backgrounds, as well as people in rural or remote areas and in disadvantaged urban areas.

“Projects will include a tai chi program for older people in the Hunter, a rural health outreach program for Aboriginal people on the Mid North Coast, and a training program for young unemployed people in Auburn who may be at risk of alcohol-related harm.”

President of the Local Government Association, Councillor Genia McCaffery, applauded the initiative.

“Part of the strength of Local Government is our willingness to band together for the benefit of our communities, so it’s great to see joint initiatives like this involving councils as well as Local Aboriginal Land Councils,” she said.

Below is a list of funded initiatives per council:

Albury City Council – Building Healthier Communities for all
Auburn Council – Healthy and Active Auburn Program
Campbelltown City Council – Elders on the Go!
Canterbury City Council, Bankstown City Council – Active in Canterbury & Bankstown
Carrathool Shire Council, Griffith City Council, Leeton Shire Council – Prevention = Better Health
Coonamble Shire Council – Coonamble Health Kick
Forbes Shire Council – Fag Free & Fab in FORBES – Live 4 Life Program
Lane Cove Municipal Council, Willoughby City Council – Being Active, Staying Safe
Moree Plains Shire Council – Think the Drink & Secondary Supply
Nambucca Shire Council, Bellingen Shire Council – Drink? But Don’t Sink – A Joint Responsible Drinking Youth Initiative in the Nambucca and Bellingen Shires
North Sydney Council, Hunter’s Hill Council , Willoughby City Council, Mosman Municipal Council, North Sydney Council, Hornsby Shire Council, Ku-ring-gai Council, Manly Council, Pittwater Council, Warringah Council, Ryde City Council – The NSASP Aboriginal Health and Well-Being Pilot
Orana ROC, Bogan, Coolamon, Cootamundra, Goldenfields County, Gundagai, Junee, Lockhart, Riverina Water County, Temora, Tumbarumba, Tumut, Urana, Wagga Wagga – Sharing the Load to Shed the Load
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Bunyah LALC, Birpai LALC, Port Macquarie-Hastings – Rural Health Outreach Program
Queanbeyan City Council – Healthy Play in Queanbeyan
Shoalhaven City Council – Better Balance
Sutherland Shire Council – ‘Youth Outreach’
Upper Hunter Shire Council – Tai Chi program to prevent falls in the older members of the community of the Upper Hunter Shire
Wagga Wagga Council – Wagga Wagga Aboriginal Alcohol Management Strategy
Wollongong Council – Shellharbour City Council, A Walkability Index for Wollongong and Shellharbour LGAs
Yass Valley Council – Healthy Ageing – Still Standing Strong