TRC endorses new Sport, Active Recreation and Healthy Living Plan

Toowoomba Regional Council’s (TRC), Environment has endorsed the Sport, Active Recreation and Healthy Living (SARHL) Plan.

TRC Environment and Community Portfolio Leader Cr Joe Ramia said Council was committed to the health and wellbeing of our community.

“The SARHL Plan sets out the Region’s vision, goals and actions on sport, active recreation and healthy living from 2019 to 2026,” Cr Ramia said.

“The Plan contains a range of recommendations under three (3) key areas of sport, active and healthy living, and nature-based recreation. Council undertook extensive research, review of the evidence-base, and community consultation activities to ensure the Plan responds to existing and emerging identified community needs and participation trends.

“Participation in sport is crucial in keeping the community healthy and active. The SAHRL Plan encourages the community to be physically active by accessing Council’s network of sporting infrastructure across the Region.

“The recommendations for regional sport include optimising and improving the management of sports facilities as well as the development of a new regional skate, scooter or bike facility and retaining but not replacing the Region’s velodrome.

“The Plan also seeks to make inroads into the Region’s growing obesity challenge through with a greater focus on active and healthy living through the upgraded Planning Scheme.

“Another action of the Plan that will support an active lifestyle include the development of regional walk and cycle strategies, adopting a tree canopy target and creating an active and healthy online APP.

“The SARHL Plan also highlights the growing importance of the Toowoomba Region Trails Network Strategy that provides a unique experience through trail-based recreation activities for our residents and visitors.

“Nature-based recreation recommendations include activating Parks as climbing hubs and creating new bushwalking groups and expanding nature-based tourism.

“Overall, the SARHL Plan provides for a new strategic direction across the Council to create healthier, more active communities across the Region.

“The Plan complements other Council actions that encourage health and wellbeing of our community, including the CHANGE program, Sustainable Transport Strategy, Green Infrastructure Strategy and Council’s membership of ‘Walk21’, the International Charter on Walking.

“The community has been a major contributor to the development of the SARHL Plan with more than 1000 people having input by completing surveys, attending workshops, focus groups or meetings.”

The Queensland Government provided $60,000 to TRC to develop the SARHL Plan 2019-26 to enable Queenslanders to participate in sport and recreation activities.

For more information about the Sport, Active Recreation and Healthy Living Plan, go to yoursay.tr.qld.gov.au/sarhl.