Long lunch: Health Minister David Davis, Mayor John Mitchell and South Barwon MP Andrew Katos launch the new health program.
By Michelle Herbison
GEELONG will receive $5.25 million from State Government to tackle health issues from obesity, smoking and alcohol as part of a prevention program.
Geelong Mayor John Mitchell said he was proud the region would be one of 14 local government areas across the state to take part in the three-year prevention community model.
“This is a big opportunity for us to take a good hard look at our lifestyles and behaviours and make a change for the better.
“Unfortunately, Geelong has a higher percentage of overweight or obese people than the Victorian state average and the PCM provides us with a chance to properly address this issue,” he said.
A fact-sheet said the program’s key aims by 2015 were to decrease overweight, obesity and smoking rates and increase physical activity and vegetable consumption.
The program would aim to improve health in 95 per cent of schools and early childcare centres and 75 per cent of medium to large workplaces.
Cr Mitchell said City of Greater Geelong would work with the state and local health agencies to deliver the program.
A Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food based in Geelong would also help spread the message through cooking and nutrition education.
Victorian Health Minister David Davis said the program would include “tailored healthy living strategies” targeting disease-causing activities including smoking, poor nutrition, alcohol misuse and physical inactivity.
“This means health-promoting schools, workplaces, sporting clubs, health services – the places where people live their lives,” Mr Davis said.
The program would create 12 jobs at City of Greater Geelong.
State Government said it chose Geelong randomly from a group of regions it considered similar.
