22 February 2008
Victoria University has welcomed $100,000 funding it has received from the Victorian Government for Stage 1 of the Active West: Active Transport project.
The funding is part of a package totalling $377,000 to implement projects that encourage local residents to walk, cycle and catch public transport. Two partner organisations have also received funding - the City of Maribyrnong $77,000, and the Western Bulldogs Football Club $200,000.
VU's Professor Terry Roberts said: "The primary goal of the project is to achieve behaviour changes that result in an increase in ongoing use of active transport by a range of community groups, such as Culturally and Linguistically Diverse groups, youth and the University population, in the west of Melbourne."
"Victoria University is committed to the west of Melbourne. Its presence at Footscray Park in the Sports Triangle with the Western Bulldogs and Maribyrnong College enables it to play a major role in influencing active transport behaviours of its students and staff, and the behaviours of residents visiting and travelling around University and other key facilities."
"To influence behaviour change we need to know and define current problems, attitudes, perceptions and barriers to the uptake of active transport in the west of Melbourne. This information will inform changes needed in both infrastructure and educational programs to increase active transport uptake as primary choice."
"Active West: Active Transport is a response to provide initial research into aspects influencing choice of active transport. We will be undertaking surveys and questionnaires as well as physical audits - specifically focusing on the Hub of Footscray."
"The research will then inform and help deliver infrastructure and marketing interventions to address issues that prevent active transport - walking and cycling - among the many varying population groups in the west of Melbourne."
"This will be an exciting and challenging opportunity to profoundly influence active living and active transport participation rates in Melbourne's west."
"We know active transport participation rates are low due to a number of interrelated factors: poor infrastructure, limited general community understanding and specific issues relating to low social economic status, high levels of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse groups, and high unemployment."
"The project will grow that body of knowledge and provide an impetus for influencing changes in personal choice of active transport to be part of an active and healthy lifestyle. And longer term outcomes will be the provision of culturally and socially appropriate active transport infrastructures that address and facilitate the needs of the west of Melbourne."
Media Contact: Andy Gash, Snr. Media Officer,
Marketing & Communications Department, Victoria University
Ph: (03) 9919 4950; mobile: 0411 255900
