I am pleased to announce that Maroondah City Council has resolved to continue the Walking School Bus program to assist in combating childhood obesity and to encourage walking.

Media release – Monday, 3 April 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Walking School Bus Finds New Feet

Councillor for Loughnan’s Hill Ward Alex Makin is pleased to announce that Maroondah Council will be rejoining the Walking School Bus program.

“After much community discussion the walking school bus program is being returned with full funding to Maroondah”, said Loughnan’s Hill Ward Councillor Alex Makin. “This is a great victory for the community and provides schools with the certainty that the program will continue for 18 months from the middle of this year.”

The Walking School Bus program began in mid 2002 as an initiative by VicHealth to encourage groups of children to walk to and from school while supervised. A total of seven schools and over 105 children participated within Maroondah.

“Increasing the amount of walking enhances physical fitness during times of growing childhood obesity, reduces the chaotic traffic congestion near schools and makes our streets safer by creating activity,” said Cr. Makin.

The decision to continue the Walking School Bus Program was passed at a council meeting on the 3rd of April and reversed a previous motion that ended the program in December 2005 due to cost-shifting from the State Government.

“It is widely acknowledged that the creation of friendly walking environments is critical to the success of Ringwood and Croydon and therefore schoolchildren must be provided with a culture that encourages walking. The return of the Walking School Bus program will provide time for the program to become sustainable and help ensure that a culture of walking will continue,” concluded Cr. Makin.

About Alex Makin:
Alex Makin, Maroondah’s youngest serving councillor, was elected onto Maroondah Council in November 2005 after conducting a campaign focused on inappropriate development, stronger anti-graffiti measures, increased community consultation, accessibility issues and greater public transport and environmental advocacy.

ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES: ALEX MAKIN ON 0408 311 645
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