Walktober is an annual event held during October, which encourages community groups, organisations and local government to organise walking as a form of transport within our community.

The Walktober Challenge is issued to encourage Councils, community groups and organisations to ‘set the pace’ by being the municipality with the most walking events registered during the month.

Within Maroondah over 55 walks were organised by community groups and Council during the 2009 Walktober, resulting in Council being awarded for achieving the Highest Level of Community Engagement within metropolitan Melbourne.

This morning I had the pleasure of accepting the award on behalf of Maroondah City Council. Community engagement and sustainable transport are two passions of mine and it is fantastic to be able to promote an event that achieves both objectives.

Council’s Leisure Services Department took the lead in promoting Walktober throughout Council and supported community organisations in holding walking events during the month.

Awards like this demonstrate the potential strength of collaboration between the community and Council. Walking promotes fitness, social inclusion and provides an affordable and sustainable form of transport and should be encouraged within our municipality.

Events like Walktober help raise the prominence of walking and encourage its use through our community, so stay tuned for Walktober 2010.