Working with local councils
Health Promotion supports and promotes healthy planning as a core component of good design. Improving the design of our buildings, streets, towns and cities makes it easier for us all to live healthy lives.
We work with mid north coast local councils (Port Macquarie-Hastings, Kempsey Shire, Nambucca Valley Shire, Bellingen Shire and Coffs Harbour City) to support the creation of healthier built environments through a range of ways, including:
- organising workshops on evidence-based information about creating healthy built environments.
- advocating for key design features to be incorporated in key strategic planning documents.
- collaborating on health-promoting initiatives across the mid north coast.
There are 8 design features of the built environment that can make it easier for us to be more active with improved health outcomes:
- public open space
- community facilities
- building destinations
- movement networks
- housing diversity
- sense of place
- healthy food.
- The Healthy Active by Design website provides the best-available evidence, practical advice, checklists and case studies to help with the development of healthy neighbourhoods and communities that promote walking, cycling and physical activity.
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NSW Health has developed a Healthy Built Environment Checklist. This Checklist is a practical tool to deliver quality environments that are well-connected and liveable.