News

10/12/2005

The motion was put forward to the state government and it has passed! Here it is -

Motion 18 Category: Population and ageing.

Mover: Wollondilly Shire Council   New South Wales

That delegates of this National General Assembly request all state and territory governments to consider enacting appropriate legislation for installation of an off-road shared pathway network within all new developments where practicable – residential, commercial, industrial and government. Further:

1. The pathways and routes are to be designed in co-operation with the relevant consenting authority and are to link with an overall Shared Pathway Plan of the consenting authority.

2. To provide, at no cost to governments, a meaningful safe alternative transport mode to that of the motor vehicle.

3. The pathways are to be at the cost of the developer and not in lieu of any levies, which would remain as they are now.

Click here to read a copy of the actual motion

WHERE TO NOW?

New South Wales

In NSW the motion has been carried at the Annual Local Government Conference and has been referred to the executive for action. The executive will now address the question of how this motion should be presented to the appropriate Government Department and/or Minister/Ministers and will proceed to arrange for this to happen.

It is the opinion of Ride For Life that all relevant Ministers, and their departments need to be lobbied, to ensure that they are aware of the need for, and the advantages of, these shared pathways. They also need to be aware of the cost to the Health System if no action is taken to provide simple, easy and no cost opportunities for exercise to the population at large.

We need a very large number of “ambassadors”. People who are concerned about obesity, particular child obesity, to, at every opportunity, speak to people who are in a position to “pass upward” the message of  the need to exercise as well as to eat a healthy diet. If you are reading this then we need you to help. The vast majority of the population must by now be aware of the problem and the enormity of it. Without regular exercise diet alone will not solve this epidemic, for that is what it is.

Remember – FAT FIT PEOPLE LIVE LONGER THAN SKINNY UNFIT PEOPLE.

All Other States And Territories

In all other States and Territories, the “National General Assembly will request each Government to consider enacting appropriate legislation”. This will put the concept directly on the State/Territory agenda for consideration.

What is stated above for NSW, needs to happen in the other States and Territories. In addition it would be greatly beneficial if individual Councils in these areas were to be lobbied to express their support in the same way, i.e. to all relevant Ministers, and their departments. This has already happened in NSW through their Annual State Conference.

Remember, even outside NSW, - FAT FIT PEOPLE LIVE LONGER THAN SKINNY UNFIT PEOPLE.

Questions?  Want to help?  Suggestions?

Please contact Ride For Life, and we will do our best to assist you, to assist us, to assist others, – PARTICULARLY THE CHILDREN who up to the age of 10 have little say in their way of life. Together we can make this happen.

WILL YOU HELP? HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Sign our Petition

Send us your thoughts

Lobby your Local Councillors

Spread the word through this petition

Keep us informed of your results.