New Indigenous exercise and nutrition programs

The Australian Government has today announced the recipients of the third round of its Healthy communities initiative funding.

Forty-seven local governments around the country will receive funding to run programs that address healthy eating and exercise initiatives. Each recipient will receive $566,000. The Healthy communities program is part of an $872 million commitment to preventive health promotion.

Forty-five local governments received funding in the first two rounds. In round three, there will be 13 projects in New South Wales, 11 in Victoria, 9 in Queensland, 7 in Western Australia, 6 in South Australia, and 1 in Tasmania.

The Cook Shire Council in Queensland, partnering with the Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council, and the City of Belmont in Western Australia will be implementing the national Beat it program - a healthy lifestyle program adapted to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Links

• View information: 'Beat it' physical activity and lifestyle program
• View information: Healthy communities initiative
• View media release: 47 communities step into summer with healthy habits