Premier urges people to reclaim the streets by walking

31/10/03
Premier Geoff Gallop today urged Western Australians to 're-claim the streets with their feet' by walking.
Dr Gallop, who heads the Premier's Physical Activity Taskforce, said the presence of citizens walking in WA neighbourhoods could be of great benefit to the whole community.
"Communities in which people walk and interact with their neighbours can have reduced levels of crime such as burglaries," the Premier said.
"Active people can also feel less isolated, have better social support networks and a greater sense of community."
It is estimated that a 5 per cent increase in the number of Western Australians active enough for good health could save nearly $3.2million a year in direct health care costs.
Walking for a total of just 30 minutes a day can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, some cancers and depression.
Despite these important benefits, every day Perth drivers travel the equivalent distance of 500 times around the world (more than 20 million kilometres) in their car.
Almost two thirds of these drivers are travelling alone and nearly 250,000 of these trips are less than one kilometre - the equivalent of a 10 to 15-minute walk.
Dr Gallop highlighted these statistics and made the 'reclaim the streets by walking' call while launching 'Walk There Today to Find thirty - A Week of Walking Events', planned from Monday, November 3, to Sunday, November 9.
More than 5,000 Western Australians from Broome to Albany are expected to participate in community walks during the week. These events are aimed at promoting and supporting active, healthy communities.
On Wednesday, November 5, more than 115 schools - or nearly 25,000 students and their families - will take up the challenge to leave the school car park empty in a bid to reclaim the streets around their schools, making them a safer place for children to walk.
The week of walking events is supported by the National Heart Foundation (WA Division), the Premier's Physical Activity Taskforce (PATF), the Department for Planning and Infrastructure, the Department of Health, the Department of Sport and Recreation, Main Roads WA and Walking WA.
The aim of the PATF is to achieve a five per cent increase in the proportion of Western Australians who are active enough for good health.
Today's launch took place in McCallum Park, at the eastern end of the Causeway, after the Premier joined Victoria Park Mayor Mick Lee, distinguished guests, and representatives of community groups in a short walk.
Mayor Mick Lee highlighted the facilities provided by the Town of Victoria Park to encourage a more active walking community.
Mr Lee also launched the Victoria Park Local Access Guide, which provides local information and maps aimed at encouraging people to be more active in their local community.
Professor Spenser Havlick - the 2003 Healthway Fellow, an international expert in health and wellness programs related to community design - spoke about the importance of encouraging and supporting communities to be active on the streets and in their neighbourhoods.
Dr Gallop said that physical inactivity was now second only to tobacco in its contribution to the burden of disease in Australia and it was the leading contributor to disease for women.
"Despite our great climate and lifestyle, 7.4 million Australians - two-thirds of adult males and half of adult females - are currently overweight or obese," he said.
"The most important contributor to our growing weight problem is that we are just not active enough."
Media contacts:
John Arthur - 9222 9595
National Heart Foundation WA Division (Ross Storey) - 9388 3343

FASCINATING WALKING FACTS:

• Inactivity is now the nation's leading contributor to the burden of disease in women. Overall, insufficient daily physical activity is now rated as second only to tobacco in its contribution to the burden of disease in Australia.

• Regular walking reduces blood pressure, helps relieve stress, promotes restful sleep, helps control appetite, and raises metabolism, burning more calories, even while at rest.

• Walking for 30 or more minutes each day reduces the risk of heart attack by as much as half. It also considerably reduces the risk of developing, diabetes, depression, osteoporosis and some cancers.

• Across all Perth suburbs, nearly two thirds of all trips could be made by walking, cycling or public transport, but currently only one in five trips involve these alternatives.

• The RAC estimates that a 2.2 litre car travelling 15,000km a year, costs more than $138 a week, including standing and running costs, while walking is free.

• Some 10 per cent (nearly 250,000) of Perth's daily car trips are one kilometre or less; a 10-15 minute walk.

• The latest (2002) WA Physical Activity Survey shows that walking for recreation was the most popular activity undertaken during the week for men (55 per cent) and women (70 per cent), followed by gardening (men 41 per cent, women 37 per cent), walking for transport (men 27 per cent, women 28 per cent) and swimming or surfing (men 17 per cent, women 14 per cent).

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