Consultation continues on the future of sport, active recreation and healthy living

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) are inviting the community, business, schools, sporting organisations and peak bodies to share their ideas and aspirations for the Region’s new Sport, Active Recreation and Healthy Living Plan as the next phase of consultation begins.

TRC’s Environment and Community portfolio leader Cr Joe Ramia said sport, active recreation and healthy living are an important contributor to the quality of life of Toowoomba Region’s resident’s.

“Council is currently developing a new Sport, Active Recreation and Healthy Living Plan which will help to drive the policies, programs and places that promote an active and healthy lifestyle, Cr Ramia said.

“Earlier this year, nearly 1000 people actively participated in the initial round of consultation by filling out the Activate Survey. 

“A key finding from the survey identified walking as one of the most popular activities across all genders and age groups, including walking around the neighbourhood and in parks and nature.

“The top activities for adult males and adult females were walking, whether it be around the neighbourhood, in the bush or in a park.

“Bushwalking, camping and cycling were the top activities for adolescent males and for adolescent females were bushwalking, walking around the neighbourhood and walking in parks.

“For male children, the top activities were bushwalking, swimming and cycling and for female children were swimming, bushwalking and walking around the neighbourhood.

“The survey’s finding of the popularity of walking backs up Council’s decision last year to join a network of more than 500 Councils worldwide in signing the ‘Walk21’ International Charter on Walking, Cr Ramia said.

“Another key emerging theme from the initial survey highlighted the growing popularity of nature-based recreational activities. 

“Bushwalking rated in the top three activities for males and females across all age groups and was the number one activity survey respondents said they’d like to do more of in future.

“This finding shows the growing importance of Council’s Toowoomba Region Trails Network Strategy which aims to provide unique experiences and provide trail-based recreation activities for our residents and visitors.

Cr Ramia said that the survey also highlighted some of the barriers to good health.

“The survey showed that the majority of males and females across all age groups were not doing enough physical activity or eating enough vegetables for good health.

“The biggest barrier to participating in sport, active recreation and nature-based activities was lack of time, followed by lack of awareness of options and affordability.

“Free and low-cost facilities, more walk and cycle paths and more fresh and healthy food outlets like farmers markets were identified as the most important areas for improvement to support more people leading healthy and active lifestyles.

Cr Ramia said the community and stakeholder input would be critical to understanding the needs and aspiration of residents.

“Council is consulting as widely as possible to ensure the plan meets the varying needs of community members across the Toowoomba Region, Cr Ramia said.

“The next round of consultation will include workshops with key stakeholders such as sports clubs, nature-based recreation organisations, schools, walk, and cycle groups.

“The plan will set the region’s vision and outline goals and actions focused on sport, active recreation and healthy living from 2019 to 2026.

“It will help create healthier, more active communities by encouraging more people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to be active eat well and live well.

“We are now seeking further community input by talking to stakeholders in sport, recreation and healthy living to guide the development of the plan.

“I would encourage the community to have their say about the future of sport, active recreation and healthy living by getting involved in the next phase of consultation.”

For more information about opportunities to have your say on the Sport, Active Recreation and Healthy Living Plan, please visit https://yoursay.tr.qld.gov.au/sarhl, call Council on 131 872 and quote “Sport, Active Recreation and Healthy Living” or email [email protected].