Maroondah- a snapshot Maroondah is located in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, approximately 25km from Melbourne CBD. Warranwood North Ringwood Community House Croydon Hills Yarrunga Community House Croydon Train lines Train stations Creeks Community houses Parks Leisure facilities Arts and cultural centres Croydon Croydon Community Arts Centre Memorial Pool Ringwood North Ringwood Aquahub Dorset Golf Karralyka East Ringwood Heatherdale Realm and Eastland Ringwood Maroondah Central Ringwood Community House Ringwood East Croydon South Bayswater North Kilsyth Federation Estate South Aquanation Heathmont r Heathmont The Rings Ringwood Golf Glen Park Community House Arrabri Community House
Evidence for Action - Active Living and Its Impact Active living is incorporating regular activity into daily routine. It includes active travel, play, gardening, incidental exercise as well as competing in a sport or participating in an activity class or pursuit for pleasure and fitness. Prioritising physical activity as an individual, an organisation and as a community has multiple benefits to overall health, social, economic and environmental benefits. Some of the benefits are listed below. Health Benefits Social Benefits Increases Fitness, stamina and energy Lean muscle, muscle strength and bone density Flexibility, coordination, balance and motor skills Improved immune system Healthy ageing, mobility, independence and quality of life in older adults Mental health and wellbeing Reduces Chronic illness and disability Mortality rates and risk of dying prematurely Risk of coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease and stroke Risk of diabetes, high cholesterol & high blood pressure Risk of colo-rectal and breast cancer Risk of asthma Risk of osteoporosis and symptoms of arthritis Body fat, overweight and obesity Falls and injuries in older people Risk of developing dementia Feelings of fatigue, depression, stress & anxiety Constipation and back pain Risk of postnatal depression Supports Improved sleep and rehabilitation Weight management Cognitive functioning, memory, learning Increases Active and vibrant community hubs Social skills and networks Social capital and community connections Access to services and resources Independent living Improved communication, team building, leadership and cooperation skills Volunteering Community participation in recreational and social activities Reduces Social isolation and loneliness Antisocial behaviour Supports Stronger, connected communities Community inclusion and public enjoyment Community cohesion and capacity building Crime prevention Cultural links through activities The Multiple Benefits of Physical Activity Diagram – BE Active WA Environmental Benefits Economic Benefits Increases Uptake of active transport, walkability and economic viability of local areas Influences the development of well planned and designed spaces Reduces Traffic congestion, air and noise pollution Use of fossil fuels and energy use Greenhouse gas emissions, global warming and climate change impacts demand for major road infrastructure (roads, car parks) Supports Incidental activity Community safety Settings for active living Improved public access and linkages to neighbourhoods and key Increases Tourism Retail Business and employment opportunities Investment opportunities Productivity and growth Reduces Vandalism costs Absenteeism Workplace accidents/injury and workers compensation claims Health care costs and claims Pressure on insurance premiums for employers Staff turnover High costs of passenger transport and infrastructure Supports Local Attracts workforce Active and healthy employees and workplaces The Multiple Benefits of Physical Activity
How much is enough? It is widely accepted that regular physical activity is essential in improving health and wellbeing, but how much physical activity is enough to maintain a healthy lifestyle? The Australian Government department of Health and Ageing have developed an evidenced based set of National Physical Activity Guidelines for children, adults and older Australians. The most recent update was released in 2014 and added Sedentary Behaviour (sitting time) to the guide as well as a new guideline for muscle strengthening activities. The intensity of the physical activity should represent a noticeable increase in a person’s breathing and heart rate.
Given our closeness to the community, Council possesses an informed understanding of the trends, barriers and enablers to active transportation adoption. Council has had a long history in delivering community engagement programs that encouraged active travelling. These programs are often targeted towards vunerable sections of the community, such as primary school children, seniors or people with disability. Authority over pedestrian and cycling infrastructure and facilities predominantly rests with Council. In accordance with Council’s Integrated Transport Strategy, Bicycle Strategy and Pedestrian Strategy considerable investment has seen the expansion of the municipal cycling and principal pedestrian network. There are a range of opportunities that Council can undertake to improve the pedestrian and cycle network. These will include expansion of pathways for better connectivity, removing physical barriers, improving permeability across roads and installing wayfinding signage. Council is well placed to take the lead implementation role within the active transportation sector and engage with other planning and transport authorities to leverage greater capital works and community programs investment in active transportation. Heart Foundation. (2009). Delivering Melbourne’s Newest Sustainable Communities: Submission to the Growth Areas Authority . July 40 Bus Association Victoria, . (2010). Briefing Paper, Public Transport Use a Ticket to Health. Melbourne. 41 Maroondah City Council. (2014). An Accessable and Connected Community. In Maroondah 2040 Community Vision (p. 35). Melbourne: Maroondah City Council.
Safe, healthy and active Council Priority - Activating Open Space Open space is extremely important to Maroondah residents as highlighted in the Maroondah 2040 consultation results. Forty three per cent of survey feedback relating to physical activity was related to the acquisition, maintenance and development of parks and open space. Its importance to Maroondah residents may be a key factor in promoting active living, providing opportunities for people to be more active and to adopt healthier behaviours. The creation of vibrant, active public open spaces also contributes to strengthening community connections and safety perceptions and has a positive influence on the independent mobility of younger and older Maroondah residents. Maroondah City Council should consider the principles of the Urban design Protocol for Australian Cities42 to guide the development of open space environments that encourage physical activity, together with the provision of supportive infrastructure, eg lighting, toilets, paths and; the facilitation of partnership programs to drive participation, activation of public spaces and increase physical activity levels of Maroondah residents. The Creating Places for People, Urban design Protocol for Australian Cities identifies 12 principles for quality urban places in Australia. Under the pillar of Liveability there are four principles: Comfortable - Comfortable & Welcoming Vibrant - Vibrant, with people around Safe - Feels Safe Walkable - Enjoyable & easy to walk and bicycle around These principles are validated by the results of the internal and external consultation in relation to what the community believed were elements required to drive participation in Maroondah’s outdoor spaces. Australian Government (2011) The Creating Places for People, Urban Design Protocol for Australian Cities South Australian Active Living Coalition. (2010) Creating active communities. How can open and public spaces in urban and suburban environments support active living? A literature review.
Focus Area: Access : Physical, Social and Attitudinal Environments Maroondah 2040 Community indicator of progress Source Action Measure Lead Support $ Timeframe 4 disability Action Plan Key direction 1.2 Action 10 Undertake awareness training within the community on access and inclusion barriers, rights and inclusive practices A minimum of two awareness raising exercises targeting Recreation, Leisure, Sport, Arts or Cultural Activities Community Planning & development Within Budget 2015/2018 2 NEW Support the introduction of the Pride Cup to senior Eastern Football League fixtured season Club participation supporting awareness initiatives Sport & Recreation Youth Services Comm. Funding Program 2016/2017 4 NEW Review Maroondah Leisure and Occasional Care childcare provisions to ensure equality of access for working parents who wish to participate in physical activity programs. Undertake a comprehensive survey process to gain feedback from a wide cross section of the community Maroondah Leisure Children’s Services Budget 2016/2017 2 Open Space Strategy Undertake a promotional strategy to increase awareness of open space facilities and their level of accessibility. Increased usage of parks and facilities measured by user surveys Open Space Communications & Marketing Ongoing 2 Open develop matrix to ensure Implementation of Open Space Sport & Within 2016/2017 Space equitable spread of open space matrix to guide Recreation Budget Strategy opportunities within reasonable capital renewal distance of every household priorities and for land acquisition/retention advocacy
Focus Area: Access : Physical, Social and Attitudinal Environments Maroondah 2040 Community indicator of progress Source Action Measure Lead Support $ Timeframe 4 NEW In consultation with community leaders, trial and evaluate new inclusive initiatives to enable the CALd community greater access to Maroondah Leisure Facilities Implement and evaluate a minimum of one new initiative per annum. Maroondah Leisure Community Planning & development Within Budget 2015- 2020 3 NEW Undertake benchmarking and consultation to develop Council policy which will enable emerging sports and marginalised groups opportunity to access to Council facilities. Endorsement of Council Policy Sport & Recreation 2016/2017 1 NEW Seek funding for lighting upgrade to Town Park Athletic Complex and trial lighting track on available evenings during winter for general participation Increase in evening usage, through weekly count. Sport & Recreation Seek External Funding 2016/2017 3 NEW Explore the possibility of hosting golf programs and /or tournaments for organisations such as deaf golf and paragolf Pilot and evaluate at least 1 inclusive program and from the evaluation learnings implement further strategies to increase access & inclusion. Maroondah Leisure Community Planning & development Within Budget 3 NEW develop and implement an initiative to increase the physical activity levels of people with an intellectual disability develop initiative in partnership with at least two external organisations Community Planning & development Aged & disability Within Budget/ Seek external 2016/2018
Focus Area: Access : Infrastructure Maroondah 2040 Community indicator of progress Source Action Measure Lead Support $ Timeframe 4 disability Action Plan Assist community organisations operating in Council facilities to identify and address access issues. decrease in the number of annual requests received by Council Assets Within Budget Ongoing 2 disability Action Plan Identify, prioritise and implement community facility access improvement works, as part of Council's annual capital works Access and Inclusion Programs, monitor and review Access & Inclusion Grants Ensure full annual budget allocation is expended on access improvement works. Assets Within Budget Ongoing 3 disability Action Plan Advocate to State Government for Arterial Road and other infrastructure upgrades that include the provision of pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. Engineering & Infrastructure Open Space Within Budget Ongoing 2 disability Action Plan. Key direction1.2 Action 15 Advocate for the inclusion of ‘Changing Places’ toilets in major developments in Maroondah. Advocacy undertaken on all Maroondah major development projects Community Planning & development Within Budget 2015/2018 3 NEW Installation of outdoor gym circuit at Jubilee Activity Precinct. Consistent usage of the equipment through visual monitoring and possibly QR code data. Open Space Maroondah Leisure Within Budget 2016-2017
Focus Area: Activation Initiatives/Opportunities Maroondah 2040 Community indicator of progress Source Action Measure Lead Support $ Timeframe 2 NEW Identification of collaborative physical activity orientated initiatives that foster the sharing of resources and knowledge of partners, to be included in the Maroondah Community Wellbeing Plan (MCWP) Action Plan 2016- 2017. Inclusion of a minimum of one action item in both MCWP Action Plan Focus Areas 1 and 2. Community Planning & development Within Budget 2016/2017 2 NEW Continue to work collaboratively with all stakeholders on the implementation of physical activity orientated actions within the MCWP Action Plan Successful implementation of MCWP action items 1.1.7, 1.2.1, 2.4.4 and 3.4.1 Community Planning & development Within Budget 2016/2017 2 NEW Continue to develop the model for the ‘Pathways for Carers’ project, seek endorsement and implement a pilot program. Implementation of pilot ‘Pathways for Carer’ program Community Planning & development Open Space Maroondah Leisure Within Budget 2015/2016 3 NEW develop a comprehensive evidence based business case outlining the benefits of employing an active participation officer Presentation of business case to Corporate Management Team Sport & Rec Within Budget dec 2015 5 NEW Facilitate discussions with peak sporting bodies to investigate increasing social sport opportunities in Maroondah Pilot and evaluate a minimum two new social sport opportunities Sport & Rec Comm. Grants Program 2016/2018 5 NEW Explore new initiatives to engage schools, Swinburne University and workplaces in weekday usage of Maroondah Leisure facilities. Pilot and evaluate at least one school initiative, Swinburne initiative and workplace initiative. Undertake secondary evaluations at 3 & 6 month intervals Maroondah Leisure Sport & Rec Business development Youth Services Within Budget 2016/2019