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ive in high walkable neighbourhood s might be helpful inncreasing levels of physical activity.

oi:10.1016/j.jsams.2009.10.119

19

upportive environments for physical activity: A surveyf local government in Queensland

. Cole 1,∗, M. Burke 2, S. Aspinal 3, I. Hunter 1, C. Bichel 1

Queensland HealthGriffith UniversityHeart Foundation

Local government is ideally placed to create communitynvironments that support physical activity. We investigatedhe current roles and perceptions of local government inueensland about physical activity, together with their needs.elf-administered surveys were completed by 27 councils inueensland. Most councils (85%) are ready or are investing

n physical activity. Some 67% of councils report physicalctivity as a moderate or high priority and 74% believe thatonstituents would like councils to invest in it. Most fre-uently reported priority physical activity investments forouncils were recreation facilities (81%), followed by phys-cal activity programs (44%) and pathways (19%). Mostrequently reported current investments included: provisionf sport and recreation (80%); landscaping (72%); and, activeransport infrastructure (50%). Land use planning processesere utilised by 63% of councils and corporate plans by 59%.ess than half of councils reported using local laws (37%);lanning scheme policies (27%); and, priority infrastructurelans (19%). Some 64% of councils reported a moderater high level of integration and coordination of physicalctivity within council. Coordination was mainly through:ommittees (63%); written into plans/projects (59%); mon-toring processes (41%); and, education and training (33%).ess than half of councils (45%) reported having a higher

evel physical activity policy. Barriers reported to investingn physical activity included: cost (78%); insufficient staffing78%); and to a lessor extent, lack of expertise (41%); and,ot being a council priority (41%). Reported enablers were:pecific guidance, tools and resources (44%); and, supportrom council decision-makers (44%). Resources for land uselanning, active transport and landscape for physical activ-ty were most frequently requested in the form of guidelines,xamples, best practice, standards, mandatory requirements,raft codes, evaluation, design manuals, and training. Whenpecifically asked to rate the usefulness of a list of supportools, draft code for insertion in planning schemes (85%)nd State Planning Policy (81%) rated highest, followed by

est practice guidelines (62%). Councils in Queensland areeady, engaged and investing in physical activity. The resultsf this survey challenge our conceptions of how central gov-rnments should be assisting councils. Central government

Lsem

cine in Sport 12 (2010) e1–e232

upport needs to go beyond leadership and direction. Coun-ils have many projects at an over-arching and strategic level,ut few that provide the “nitty-gritty” practical resource thatractitioners in local government are seeking. Draft codes particularly important and currently not widely available.hese results have been used to inform a Queensland Healthnd Heart Foundation project which includes development ofouncil resources and a supporting campaign.

oi:10.1016/j.jsams.2009.10.120

20

local government resource to create supportive envi-onments for physical activity and healthy eating

. Bichel 1, S. Aspinall 2, M. Burke 3, R. Cole 1, C.sborne 1, S. Davies 1,∗

Queensland HealthHeart FoundationGriffith University

Introduction: Increasing population-levels of physicalctivity (PA) and healthy eating (HE) are public health pri-rities in combating the chronic non-communicable diseaseurden on the health system. A large body of evidence nowxists regarding the effect that the social and physical envi-onment in which we live can have on our health behaviour.ocal governments have an opportunity to positively affectehaviour change through their role in local planning andhe provision and maintenance of infrastructure and facilitiesn their communities. We sought to develop a program thatrovides Local Government with the leadership, support anduidance to create supportive environments for PA and HEithin the legislative frameworks in Queensland.Methodology: The resource was informed by a com-

rehensive needs assessment phase. This phase included:efinition of the key attributes of PA and identification ofheir fit within Queensland’s legislative frameworks; a sur-ey of local governments across Queensland to identify theirurrent roles and perceptions about PA and HE, and theireeds; and, a stakeholder workshop of industry, governmentnd academics. A second phase of consultation processesere also undertaken during the development of the program

tself.Results: The key recommendation from the needs assess-

ent phase of the project was to develop guidelines thatrovide practical information about how to integrate PAnd HE within the options and the tools available to localovernments. The guidelines are divided into relevant localovernment functions including; Corporate Planning Tools,perational Planning Tools, Planning Scheme Tools, Local

aw and Policy Matters for consideration, GIS and Analy-is Tools, and Funding and Award opportunities (maintainedlectronically). The range of tools, resources, models andeasures have been designed so that local government offi-

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ers and planners can practically pick up and place withinheir Local Government’s policies and practices. A selec-ion of physical activity and nutrition case studies have beenncluded, together with checklists, tips and “how to” guides.

second recommendation from the consultative phase wasor advocacy for HE to be considered within LG activitiesith consideration given to presenting the evidence-base forE intervention and case study examples to LG mayors,ouncillors and other LG decision-makers; and, a com-unication strategy be devised and implemented to raise

wareness and galvanise LGs and other stakeholders intoction, including (i) information and training sessions withouncillors, Council Officers and Town Planners and asso-iated professionals; and, (ii) the recruitment of designatedhampions within each LG and the relevant Professionalssociations to progress the PA and HE agenda.

oi:10.1016/j.jsams.2009.10.121

21

reating active communities—The experience of 100ocal governments in WA

. O’Brien, J. Davies ∗

Premier’s Physical Activity Taskforce (WA)

Introduction: Local Government can play a crucial rolen increasing physical activity by creating environments andpportunities for physical activity and active living as wells delivering initiatives to meet local community needs. Theocal Activity Grant Program (LAG) was developed to pro-ide Local Governments with funding to enhance and buildpon existing physical activity initiatives, increase sustain-ble community based opportunities for physical activity ando incorporate physical activity into strategic planning andudgetary processes. Since 2003 over $2m matched fundingas been allocated to 160 projects across 109 Local Govern-ents through nine funding rounds. The intent of the grant

rogram was to support programs whose outcomes can beustained beyond completion of the grant. In 2009, an eval-ation of the grant program was conducted which aimed to;ssess the level of impact the LAGs have had in the com-unity; review the effectiveness of strategies and processes

mployed; and assess the sustainability impacts beyond LAGnvestment related to policy, environment, resourcing andartnerships.

Methodology: The study methodology involved a post-testelephone survey of Local Governments who have receivedunding in rounds four, five, six and seven. These wereompared with Local Governments who have not receivedny LAG funding. Computer assisted telephone interviews

CATI) formed the primary data collection method and dataas analysed using SPSS software package.Results/Conclusions: The LAGs have resulted in over

7,000 people being physically active, seen partnerships

ttLp

cine in Sport 12 (2010) e1–e232 e59

ormed with 900 community groups and achieved over 4000ocal awareness raising opportunities. The LAGs have had aositive impact on Local Government’s provision of physicalctivity opportunities through an increase in policy and plan-ing, improvements to infrastructure, building communityapacity and increasing resource allocation. This presenta-ion will discuss these results and provide recommendationsn the use of grant programs in increasing physical activitynd the types of initiatives that have the greatest sustainabilitympacts within the Local Government setting.

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22

orking with the property developmentector—Integrating active living principles into thelanning and design process

. Potoczky ∗, J. Kurko

Heart Foundation

Introduction: Research and policy work around creatingupportive environments for physical activity has been occur-ing for over a decade. The Heart Foundation has producednumber of guidelines and tools, including the widely used

Healthy By Design”; a planner’s guide to environments forctive living, to suggest practical ways to influence the builtnvironment to become more supportive of physical activ-ty and social connection. There is growing recognition ofhe influence and impact of the development industry onrban design and the potential for it to be an important agentf change in to the creation of active living environments.ntegrating active living principles in early planning as wells in later detailed design stages will facilitate supportivenvironments for physical activity.

In an effort to learn about the realities of implementa-ion the Heart Foundation, in collaboration with a numberf important partners, has embarked on two specific projectsith the property development sector.Discussion: The Heart Foundation is the lead agency for

he South Australian Active Living Coalition, a collaborativeorum for the planning and coordination of active living inouth Australia. A key project of the Coalition is the develop-ent of a demonstration project and case study at Lightsview,new housing development in Adelaide. The Coalition isorking very closely with the joint venture developers, theand Management Corporation (SA state-owned land devel-pment agency) and the Canberra Investment Corporation (arivate developer) to apply Healthy by Design to both theasterplannning and detailed design of the development.In New South Wales the Heart Foundation is involved in

he master planning of the Renwick housing development inhe Southern Highlands, a development being undertaken byandcom (NSW state-owned land development agency).Theroject includes a research component to evaluate the lifestyle