Join now

Become a member:
Add your voice >

Already a member?
Enter your email address



Facebook

Twitter

Fame & Shame Awards

VicHealth - Streets Ahead Program


Supporting Children to Get Active in Their Neighbourhood

VicHealth developed the Streets Ahead program in 2008 to build on the successes of the Walking School Bus (WSB) program to allow for the development of more comprehensive and flexible children's independent mobility demonstration projects in Victoria.

The aim of the Streets Ahead program is to increase physical activity in children 4-12 years through active transport. The objectives of the program are to:

  • Increase the level of children's active transport to/from primary school;
  • Increase the level of children's independent mobility to/from primary school, particularly for older students;
  • Increase the level of children's active transport within their local community life; and
  • Increase the level of children's independent mobility within the local community, particularly for older primary school aged children.

Streets Ahead is designed to be implemented on a place based community level in targeted neighbourhoods rather than the entire local government area as in the case of WSB. It will be established by enacting a flexible, developmental process that builds on local strengths, networks and local conditions.

In May 2008 VicHealth funded six local councils for three years to implement the Streets Ahead program in a target area of their municipalities. The projects will commence in July 2008. The demonstration projects will assist communities to create supportive environments that enhance children's active transport and independent mobility in all aspects of their community life, including to and from school.

The six demonstration projects will take place in the following local municipalities:

  • Bendigo, City - Long Gully-Ironbark, North Bendigo and White Hills
  • Darebin, City - Reservoir East and Preston East
  • Cardinia, Shire - Pakenham Central
  • Geelong, City - Whittington and East Geelong
  • Wodonga, City - Wodonga West, Melrose, Martin Park, Wodonga Central and Belvoir
  • Brimbank, City - Albion and Ardeer

Further information about Streets Ahead can be found at http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/streetsahead/ .