Liveable Cassowary Coast project gets Bligh Government backing

The Bligh Government has provided funding to the Cassowary Coast Regional Council for a community-driven initiative designed to make residents healthier and the region more liveable.

Local Government Minister Warren Pitt today (January 23) presented a cheque for $20,000 to Cassowary Coast Regional Council mayor Cr Bill Shannon for the “Liveable Cassowary Coast” initiative.

Mr Pitt said one of the government’s key Toward Q2 targets was ‘Making Queenslanders Australia’s healthiest people’.

“The Bligh Government is committed to building strong, sustainable and prosperous communities for all Queenslanders through our Blueprint for the Bush initiative,” Mr Pitt said.

“Strong, sustainable and prosperous are traits we aim for in measuring a community’s culture, atmosphere and attitude.”

Mr Pitt said the Liveable Cassowary Coast plan, a holistic and integrated approach to creating liveable communities, would be based on the World Health Organisation’s Healthy Cities and Communities framework.

“The plan will identify those priorities that affect health and wellbeing of residents,” he said.

“As a result, this project could result in initiatives such as growers markets, community vegetable gardens, improved bike paths and/or similar ideas.”

Mr Pitt said the State Government grant would help fund a facilitator from Griffith University and a team of students to work in the Cassowary Coast region.

“This team, which will educate and train members of the community, will run until the end of September 2009.”

The Blueprint for the Bush is the Queensland Government’s 10-year program designed to develop and underpin the strengths of rural and regional communities in Queensland.

Mr Pitt congratulated the Cassowary Coast Regional Council and its partner, the Healthier Great Green Way program, for their vision.

“So many dedicated groups and individuals are working towards making Cassowary Coast a healthier and more liveable community,” Mr Pitt said.