In May 2023, CCA was awarded a $100,000 grant in the initial round of the Tasmanian Department of Health’s Healthy Focus Grants.

The grants offered aim to facilitate action towards achieving a healthier Tasmania through focus areas such as mental health and wellbeing, active living, and addressing the impact of climate change on health.

Steps towards sustainability will make towns more walkable, supporting active living. It engages communities in their design and upkeep, providing opportunities for upskilling and engagement and supporting social inclusion, which supports mental health and wellbeing.

“We have put together this idea of using things like logs, things like boulders, indigenous vegetation and bringing them together to make these compositions or mini parks in high-profile locations where people will want to sit,” Cradle Coast Authority regional planning coordinator Jenny Donovan said.

“Even if you don’t sit on them, they will be a nice little landmark to see on the way.”

The project will run over the next two financial years, with the pause places to be located in Waratah-Wynyard in line with the Waratah-Wynyard Council Liveability Strategy.

This project will be a pilot study to test the concept. If successful, we plan to expand the idea to other areas in the region. Our goal is to create communities that are welcoming and supportive, and that promote good health.

Image: Liberal Braddon MHA Roger Jaensch and Cradle Coast Authority’s Jenny Donovan and Sheree Vertigan. Picture by Rodney Woods.