VicHealth funds Geelong’s Healthy Choices

The City of Greater Geelong has received a grant from VicHealth to support reducing the amount of soft drink promotion in City-operated leisure centres.

The funding will help the City implement its Healthy Choices – Sugar Sweetened Beverages Strategy to reduce the proportion of sugary drinks on display in fridges and increase the promotion of water as the drink of choice for health.

Acting Director Community Life Fiona Reidy said the strategy will be implemented over a two-year period and the VicHealth grant will provide valuable support.

“By providing and highlighting healthy choices, we anticipate positive health outcomes over time,” she said.

“The City is delighted to be partnering with VicHealth. The strategy will be implemented by sharing relevant information and offering support and suggestions about how the display of Sugar Sweetened Beverages can be reduced.”

Geelong mayor Bruce Harwood believed the grant would be a great help to the City in implementing the Healthy Choices strategy.

“This strategy is about making sure water is displayed more prominently in our leisure centre fridges, while reducing the proportion of sugary drinks on display – encouraging people to make healthier choices,” he said.

In 2018, the display of soft drinks will be reduced to less than 20 per cent of fridge space in the City’s leisure centres to encourage people to opt for water.

Geelong’s Adult Health report in 2016 found 12 per cent consumed sugar sweetened soft drinks daily, higher than the Victorian average of 11 per cent.