Case Studies
Healthy Darwin
Design Feature
Type of project
Local Government Initiative
State
Northern Territory
Location
Urban
City of Darwin’s Healthy Darwin program provides opportunities for the community to access a diverse mix of low-cost activities that encourage residents to be active and lead a healthy lifestyle. The program provides workshops that build knowledge and skills to lead a healthy lifestyle, as well as supporting events and activities that bring members of the local community together to foster social connectedness, particularly amongst seniors and those new to Darwin.
Building a healthy community
Healthy Darwin activities utilise and promote a range of public places and open spaces across the City, including parks, outdoor exercise equipment, swimming pools, extensive shared path network and community centres.
The Healthy Darwin program commenced in 2011 through the Federal Government’s Healthy Communities Initiative. The project was created to address the high incidence of chronic disease in the community, contributed to by low levels of physical activity, poor nutrition and high rates of smoking. The program was originally targeted at communities in Darwin with the highest levels of socioeconomic disadvantage.
Following the end of the Healthy Communities Initiative funding in 2014, Council continued the program under existing operational budget and resources as part of Council’s Recreation Services team.
The Program is divided into three sections (_Get Moving, Be Informed _& _Stay Connected)_, and is updated twice per year to coincide with the Wet Season (October – March) and the Dry Season (April – September).
Following the end of the Healthy Communities Initiative funding in 2014, Council continued the program under existing operational budget and resources as part of Council’s Recreation Services team.
The Program is divided into three sections (_Get Moving, Be Informed _& _Stay Connected)_, and is updated twice per year to coincide with the Wet Season (October – March) and the Dry Season (April – September).
_Get Moving _(low-cost fitness and exercise) – Approximately eight to 10 local exercise providers are engaged each season to provide a 45-60 minute, physical activity session, weekly, throughout the six-month period, that costs no more than $5 for participants. Sessions have included Heart Foundation Walking groups, outdoor yoga, aqua aerobics, older adults’ exercise classes or dancing sessions. Where possible, activities utilise Council’s parks, recreation facilities or community centres and aim to provide opportunities in areas that previously had limited group exercise options. Activities are suitable for beginners and those who may have limited mobility, such as the elderly; encouraging residents to try new activities and/or use outdoor recreation facilities.
_Be Informed_ (workshops and learning for the mind) – The program provides a number of low-cost interactive workshops and courses throughout the year; previous examples have included guided walking and cycling tours of fresh produce markets, cooking workshops, adult learn-to-swim courses and adult bike-with-confidence courses. Given the number of new arrivals to Darwin from interstate or overseas, these sessions are extremely important to assist residents to build skills, knowledge and confidence to utilise the City’s unique local produce markets and recreation facilities. It particularly benefits the older population, building skills and confidence to age in place.
_Stay Connected_ (events and places) – Support is provided to a number of community events in partnership with other organisations. Events have included community pool parties, Midnight Basketball, Close the Gap and Yoga Festival. Council also provides an outdoor Ping Pong table that is moved around the municipality for free community access. Opportunities for social engagement are important for wellbeing, and those who may be at risk of isolation, such as the elderly, can benefit from these services.
_Be Informed_ (workshops and learning for the mind) – The program provides a number of low-cost interactive workshops and courses throughout the year; previous examples have included guided walking and cycling tours of fresh produce markets, cooking workshops, adult learn-to-swim courses and adult bike-with-confidence courses. Given the number of new arrivals to Darwin from interstate or overseas, these sessions are extremely important to assist residents to build skills, knowledge and confidence to utilise the City’s unique local produce markets and recreation facilities. It particularly benefits the older population, building skills and confidence to age in place.
_Stay Connected_ (events and places) – Support is provided to a number of community events in partnership with other organisations. Events have included community pool parties, Midnight Basketball, Close the Gap and Yoga Festival. Council also provides an outdoor Ping Pong table that is moved around the municipality for free community access. Opportunities for social engagement are important for wellbeing, and those who may be at risk of isolation, such as the elderly, can benefit from these services.
The Healthy Darwin Booklet of Low-Cost Activities is a central information source promoting any healthy lifestyle activities that meet the Healthy Darwin criteria of being no more than $10 per person per hour, located within the Darwin municipality and suitable for novices to be involved. This booklet is updated on a regular basis and available on Council’s website.
Evaluation is ongoing. Participation at the weekly subsidised physical activity sessions and workshops is recorded, and data is collected from participants and activity providers bi-annually. Feedback and participation are used to assist future program planning.
Evaluation is ongoing. Participation at the weekly subsidised physical activity sessions and workshops is recorded, and data is collected from participants and activity providers bi-annually. Feedback and participation are used to assist future program planning.
Project team
- Council’s Recreation Services Team (two staff members)
- Local exercise providers
- Community organisations
Project Cost
Annual budget of approximately $50,000
Health Value
- Encouraging use of Council’s many parks, outdoor exercise equipment, swimming pools and shared paths, and other community venues.
- Increasing community opportunities to be healthy and active.
- Enhancing public places and open spaces in the municipality.
- Encouraging the elderly to engage in physical activity and stay socially connected – including Heart Foundation Walking program cross promotion.
Economic Value
- The City partner with local exercise providers to enable them to offer low-cost activities. Each instructor is paid a set fee per week by Council to encourage them to offer healthy lifestyle activities at a subsidised cost for participants. Instructors collect a minimal fee per participant (up to $5) to incentivise their assistance in promoting their session and the program as a whole to increase participant numbers (and their income).
- Subsidising activities to make them more affordable for residents. This also helps overcome the hesitation barrier for those who may not have tried these activities before.
- Supporting our local businesses, sporting clubs and community organisations to deliver affordable and accessible health-based activities.
Environmental Value
- Healthy Darwin links with the Darwin Bike Plan to encourage active transport, particularly around the delivery of adult learn-to-ride workshops.
- Healthy Darwin’s cooking workshops and market tours encourage residents to purchase and use more local fresh produce.
Social Value
- Encouraging social inclusion, community connections and the associated health benefits, important in a transient population such as Darwin’s.
- Connecting more isolated groups within the community, such as recent migrants, new mums and seniors.
Use Value
- Increasing opportunities for residents to access healthy lifestyle activities.
- Building a skill base and knowledge in a safe, supportive environment.
- Building confidence and desire to use facilities and programs more regularly.
- Opportunities for participants to role-model to friends and family members, who then feel empowered to also participate in healthy behaviours.
References
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