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Land-use Planning and Development Resources

Councils have an in-depth knowledge of their communities and can influence active living outcomes through their role as a strategic and land-use planning authority, a provider and manager of facilities and services, a community leader and as an employer at the local level. As the tier of government closest to local communities, council leadership on active living can complement the role of other government agencies and non-government organisations. PCAL has compiled this selection of guidelines, resources, case studies and links to assist councils contribute to the health and wellbeing of their staff and communities.

Guidelines

Designing Places for Active Living

The PCAL Designing Places for Active Living Guidelines propose key design considerations for urban places in metropolitan, regional and rural areas. Specific considerations to help create environments for active living are summarised for seven key environments including; cities, towns and neighbourhoods, walking and cycling routes, public transport, streets, open spaces, retail areas and workplaces. For each issue, there is an objective, a concise overview of important design considerations, together with links to key references and additional resources for detailed design guidelines

Strategic Planning Resources

Addressing active living through council's Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework: A resource prepared for the NSW Premier's Council for Active Living (PCAL) and the NSW Division of Local Government (DLG).

The Active Living Integrated Planning and Reporting (IPR) Resource provides guidance to councils (and other interested parties) on how to address active living principles and practices, as councils prepare and implement the new IPR Framework. The guidance is based on legislative requirements, the DLG's IPR Manual (2010) a review of existing Community Strategic Plans (CSPs) and experiences of the councils who adopted their CSPs in June 2010 (Group1 councils).

This full resource is summarised in a brochure entitled Active Living: Integrated Planning & Reporting - Resource for Councils.

Indicators for Active- Friendly local environments

In consultation with State Government and local council planning and area health service staff as well as non-government and industry stakeholders, PCAL developed a list of evidence based active living indicators that have been included in the DLG's IPR Manual (2010 pg 52 - 54). The indicators are listed under ten key areas for use by councils to measure progress toward the achievement of broader active living goals (ie. safe, attractive and connected streets, promotion of active travel options, provision of quality open space and facilities).

Active Travel Resources

NSW Workplace Travel Plan Resource

PCAL has prepared a NSW specific Workplace Travel Plan (WTP) Resource. A WTP spells out the actions a workplace will take to support active travel. The resource provides a user friendly guide to essential background information, links to key existing national and international material, promotional material and a best practice fictitious 'Company PCAL' WTP case study.

PCAL Active Workplaces Webpage

The PCAL Active Workplaces Webpage includes a range of active workplace guidelines, resources and case studies as well as upcoming cycling and walking events where employers and employees can participate and experience the benefits of physical activity.

Land-use Planning and Development Resources

Development and Active Living: Designing Projects for Active Living - A Development Assessment Resource & Navigational Tool

To provide guidance for the NSW Department of Planning and councils on building Active Living provisions into Local Environment Plans and Development Control Plans as well as specific advice on major Development Applications, the NSW Premier's Council for Active Living (PCAL) has produced Development and Active Living. This resource provides active living design and siting advice for six NSW planning system development types, active living related advice applying to all types of development and example Conditions of Consent promoting active living outcomes.

Development and Active Living: Designing Projects for Active Living: Developer's Checklist

The Developer's Checklist is a companion document to the PCAL Designing Projects for Active Living Resource. It is a best practice, voluntary resource for developers to self assess their development, provide a useful starting point for discussions with Consent Authorities, and respond to policy directions outlined in the NSW Department of Planning Position Statement: Planning for Active Living. A version of the checklist document that does not include active living case studies is also available for developers to download, complete and include as part of the Development Application process.

Community Development

PCAL has developed Guidelines for the use of Physical Activity for Community Development Purposes to support the efforts of the NSW Government, the business sector and the community to deliver best practice, evidence-based, physical activity/active living programs which strengthen community engagement and build social capital. A concise practitioners resource: Building stronger communities through physical activity: a practitioners resource has also been developed to assist practitioners plan, implement and evaluate physical activity programs that build social capital in communities.

Case Studies

PCAL's suite of urban and regional NSW case studies demonstrates the successful application of Active Living design considerations for each of the specific environments within the Designing Places for Active Living Design Guidelines. Case studies have also been prepared that demonstrate the application of Active Living design principles through the NSW Development Assessment process and in the review of a local council Development Control Plan (DCP).

Links to case studies of particular relevance to councils are provided below.

Open Space

http://www.pcal.nsw.gov.au/case_studies/blayney_heritage_park

http://www.pcal.nsw.gov.au/case_studies/warriewood_valley/descriptioncontext

Streets

http://www.pcal.nsw.gov.au/case_studies/chippendale

Walking and Cycling Routes

http://www.pcal.nsw.gov.au/case_studies/junee

http://www.pcal.nsw.gov.au/case_studies/west_wyalong

Active Travel

http://www.pcal.nsw.gov.au/case_studies/fairfield

Optus case study brochure