Community Walkability Advocacy

Add your voice for a more walkable, heart-healthy neighbourhood

Local councils generally have limited budgets and many competing demands across vast areas.  Your voice can help determine local priorities.

To support increased funding and ensure the right policies and regulations are in place for improved walkability, you can sign our petition.

We'll let your local council know they have your support. They'll be able to use it in their advocacy efforts with state and federal governments.

We encourage you to sign the petition whether your neighbourhood is walk-friendly or not. Either way, it’s important that your local council and elected leaders know that this is something that’s important to you. 

You can also get involved with local council projects by visiting your local council's website and having your say on projects that affect walkability in your area.



Tips for advocacy

When advocating, always remember to:

• Be clear in what it is you are asking for.
• Keep it short and succinct.
• Provide positive and constructive feedback where you can.
  

You don’t need to wait for something to go wrong before you speak up.

Remember to comment on the positive things in your neighbourhood, and the features which you want to see more of. You can do this at any time!

About walkable local neighbourhoods

Cardiovascular disease is the cause of one in four of all deaths in Australia, with more than half of the population having three or more key risk factors.[1]

Most cardiovascular disease risk factors are preventable through leading a healthy lifestyle, including having a healthy diet, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight.[3]

We want to make sure that your local neighbourhood supports your ability to be able to choose to walk short distances for everyday purposes – to the local shops, the local park, to access amenities and services, to public transport, and for education or work purposes.

Healthy Active by Design resources 
You can use any of the Healthy Active by Design evidence-based resources to provide further information for your advocacy.

A key strength of the resources is their ability to translate the latest evidence into practical guidance for local councils and industry practitioners.

You can also point your local council and elected leaders to these resources to assist them in making changes in your local area.

Heart Foundation Advocacy 

You can find out more about the Heart Foundation’s advocacy efforts, and what we are doing to communicate with all levels of government and decision makers to influence change in the built environment.

Privacy Collection Notice – Community Walkability: The information provided in the petition is being collected by the National Heart Foundation of Australia ABN 98 008 419 761 (Heart Foundation, we, us, our) to provide information for our Community Walkability program as set out in our Privacy Policy available at: https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/privacy-policy. If you have any questions about this privacy collection statement or how we handle personal information, please contact our Privacy Officer via GPO Box 9966 in your capital city, privacy@heartfoundation.org.au or by calling 13 11 12. Any information you provide as part of our Community Walkability resources may be forwarded by the Heart Foundation to your Local Council.

Terms of use: This material has been developed by the National Heart Foundation of Australia (Heart Foundation) for general information and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider if you have, or suspect you have, a health problem. The information provided is based on evidence available at the time of publication. Please refer to the Heart Foundation website at www.heartfoundation.org.au for Terms of Use.

Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability:  The Heart Foundation makes no representation or warranty that the information provided in these resources is accurate, complete, or up-to-date, nor that it is suitable for your particular circumstances. Any use of these resources is entirely at your own risk. If you have any queries or concerns about the information on this website you should seek your own independent advice and always follow the advice of your medical professional regarding walking and your activity levels. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the National Heart Foundation of Australia, its officers, and employees shall not be liable for any loss, damage, or injury arising from your reliance on the information provided. In an emergency or if you identify a safety hazard, please contact triple-zero (000) immediately.

Important Safety and Reporting Notice: 

• Safety Reporting: If you discover any safety hazards while walking, please report these directly to your local council as soon as possible. The Heart Foundation does not provide a report on safety hazards or incidents to your local council. 
• General Guidance: The information provided is for general guidance only and is not intended to replace professional advice or local council requirements. If you have trouble with physical activity, we advise that you seek advice from a medical or health professional to determine if walking is suitable for you. Only walk if you feel it's safe to do so. This can include consideration of the time of day, weather, heat and other factors.