Allan Labor Government is supporting more kids to scoot, ride and walk to school through the Kids Active Travel Program.
Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence today announced $598,000 in funding to expand the Kids Active Travel Program (KATP) in Melton, Geelong, Hume, and Bendigo ─ supporting active travel to and from local primary schools.
The projects across the four areas to date have supported more than 4,500 children in grades 3 to 6 to get active, delivering new active travel routes to school, safety and skills education and bike storage facilities.
The program will be rolled out at 16 new schools over the next two years.
The program prioritises projects for primary schools in areas with high levels of social disadvantage and aims to inspire healthy lifestyle habits from a young age.
The City of Greater Bendigo's Start Here! Program will use the funding to ramp up support for primary schools in the council's disadvantaged areas. This project helps schools and parents with safer routes to and from school, classroom activities and guidance to create an active travel ambassador program.
The KATP is also backing the Park It project delivered by Outdoors Victoria in partnership with Hume City Council. This initiative is creating safe travel routes in fast growing Hume suburbs with a focus on promoting ways for students to walk and play together on the way to school.
Other funded projects include the City of Greater Geelong that will work with Northern Bay P-12 College to assess, map and signpost active travel routes to and from the College's four primary school campuses, combined with resources to implement active travel initiatives.
In the City of Melton, schools in the area with highest levels of social disadvantage are increasing active travel through education, building skills, awareness campaigns, and installation of Park and Walk/Ride Zones and safer routes to and from school.
These initiatives build on other Labor Government activities aimed at getting young Victorians moving throughout their day, including Active Schools and the Get Active Kids voucher program.
For latest information about the program visit sport.vic.
As stated by Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence
"Walking or biking to school is a great way for kids to stay active and we are making sure more families have that option."
"We're ensuring the Kids Active Travel Program continues to empower kids to make safe and healthy choices."
