Strategy: Walkway Signage
Livingstone Shire Council was one of nine 10,000 Steps Community Grant recipients awarded funding for the implementation of 10,000 Steps Community Strategies in 2017. The Livingstone Shire Council installed co-branded walkway signage detailing distance, the number of steps and duration of travel between key destinations within the community to highlight the ease, convenience and effectiveness of active transport in increasing physical activity levels.
Background
The Shire of Livingstone is a local government area located in the Capricornia region of Central Queensland, Queensland, to the immediate north and east of the regional city of Rockhampton. Livingstone Shire Council ("the Council") had recently completed a number of large community infrastructure project in the Yeppoon and Emu Park Areas. The Council would like to encourage residents and visitors to experience these spaces and the natural environment on foot. Connecting path and walkway linkages have been established to support increased physical activity through active transport and provide environmental benefits in reducing vehicle congestion in built up areas.
Implementation
- The 10,000 Steps Walkway signage which Livingstone Shire Council implemented included three ‘destination’ signs strategically located within the Yeppoon Town Centre car park.
- Installed 8 ‘directional’ signs that all lead back to the Yeppoon Town Centre CarPark from popular destinations at the Yeppoon Town Centre, the ForeshorePrecinct and the Lagoon Precinct.
- It is anticipated that this strategy will have a reach of over 20,000 people. There is an understanding that given the nature of this project, more people will continue to be reached by the signage into the future.
Outcomes
- Whilst no quantitative physical activity data can be obtained through the planning and implementation of this project, it is understood that the local communities propensity to engage in physical activity through walking has been positively influenced through this project.
- This project has greatly increase the local communities awareness of how easy it can be to park the car and walk to a variety of locations within the Yeppoon CBD. It is anticipated that not only will the community benefit from health and wellbeing aspects of increasing physical activity, the local commerce and tourism sectors will also benefit from increased foot traffic in the area.
“A number of key community stakeholders indicated their appreciation of the signage and acknowledgement of the benefits it will provide in educating the community.”
Lessons Learnt
- This signage project was implemented effectively and has delivered a range of benefits.
- This signage project has been a pilot project in the delivery of 10,000 Steps signage across the Shire to encourage active, healthy lifestyles. This signage project has also highlighted the need for an updated website that increases awareness of opportunities to be physically active throughout the community.