Community Walkability Advocacy
Cardiovascular disease is the cause of one in four of all deaths in Australia, with more than half of the population having three or more key risk factors.[1]
Physical inactivity remains a major health issue and is calculated to cost Australia $2.4 billion each year in additional health costs alone.[2] Most cardiovascular disease risk factors are preventable through leading a healthy lifestyle, including having a healthy diet, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight.[3]
Currently, four in five adults aged 18-64 years in Australia do not get enough physical activity, placing them at increased risk of a range of chronic diseases.[4]
Research shows that people who live in walkable neighbourhoods are 1.5 times more likely to get enough physical activity[5] and nearly 2.8 times more likely to have a healthy cardiovascular risk profile[6] compared to people who live in areas where walking is unsafe, inconvenient, or difficult.
We want to make sure that your local neighbourhood supports your ability to be able to choose to walk short distances for everyday purposes – to the local shops, the local park, to access amenities and services, to public transport, and for education or work purposes.
Your voice is important in creating change for this to occur!
Whether your neighbourhood is walk-friendly or not, it’s important that your local council and elected leaders know that this is something that’s important to you.
Local councils generally have limited budgets and many competing demands across vast areas.
To support increased funding and ensure the right policies and regulations are in place for improved walkability of your local area, you can sign our petition. We will let your local council know they have your support, and they will be able to use it in their advocacy efforts with state and federal governments.
By signing the petition, you are contributing to a stronger collective voice. This is also a great way for you, and others in your community, to partner with council and support them and work together for shared goals.
You can also get involved with local council projects by visiting their website and having your say on projects that affect walkability in your area.
Tips for advocacy
When advocating, always remember to:
- Be constructive and positive.
- Be clear in what it is you are asking for.
- Keep it short and succinct.
- Provide positive and constructive feedback where you can.
You don’t need to wait for something to go wrong before you speak up.
Remember to comment on the positive things in your neighbourhood, and the features which you want to see more of. You can do this at any time!
Healthy Active by Design resources
You can use any of the
Healthy Active by Design evidence-based resources to provide further information for your advocacy.
A key strength of the resources is their ability to translate the latest evidence into practical guidance for local councils and industry practitioners.
You can also point your local council and elected leaders to these resources to assist them in making changes in your local area.
Heart Foundation Advocacy
You can find out more about the Heart Foundation’s advocacy efforts, and what we are doing to communicate with all levels of government and decision makers to influence change in the built environment.
Privacy Collection Notice – Community Walkability: The information provided in this checklist is being collected by the National Heart Foundation of Australia ABN 98 008 419 761 (Heart Foundation, we, us, our) to provide information for our Community Walkability program as set out in our Privacy Policy available at: https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/privacy-policy. If you have any questions about this privacy collection statement or how we handle personal information, please contact our Privacy Officer via GPO Box 9966 in your capital city, privacy@heartfoundation.org.au orby calling 13 11 12. All the information you provide as part of our Community Walkability resources will be forwarded by the Heart Foundation to your Local Council.
Terms of use: This material has been developed by the National Heart Foundation of Australia (Heart Foundation) for general information and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider if you have, or suspect you have, a health problem. The information provided is based on evidence available at the time of publication. Please refer to the Heart Foundation website at www.heartfoundation.org.au for Terms of Use.
Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability: The Heart Foundation makes no representation or warranty that the information provided in these resources is accurate, complete, or up-to-date, nor that it is suitable for your particular circumstances. Any use of these resources is entirely at your own risk. If you have any queries or concerns about the information on this website you should seek your own independent advice and always follow the advice of your medical professional regarding walking and your activity levels. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the National Heart Foundation of Australia, its officers, and employees shall not be liable for any loss, damage, or injury arising from your reliance on the information provided. In an emergency or if you identify a safety hazard, please contact triple-zero (000) immediately.
Important Safety and Reporting Notice:
- Safety Reporting: If you discover any safety hazards while walking, please report these directly to your local council as soon as possible. The Heart Foundation does not provide a report on safety hazards or incidents to your local council.
- General Guidance: The information provided is for general guidance only and is not intended to replace professional advice or local council requirements. If you have trouble with physical activity, we advise that you seek advice from a medical or health professional to determine if walking is suitable for you. Only walk if you feel it's safe to do so. This can include consideration of the time of day, weather, heat and other factors.