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Environment

A physical environment which is conducive to good health is one of the cornerstones of a healthy city. The connection between the environment and its impact on human health is environmental health. It is this area which HCI is committed to at the local level. In the Illawarra we have been actively engaged in numerous environmental projects which have been made possible through grants.

Case Studies

Supporting the community

In 1997, the Illawarra region was shocked by an unexplained luekaemia cluster. An investigation was conducted but no cause was found. The final report recommended the formation of a community based environmental health group. Healthy Cities Illawarra coordinated the formation of this group and supports it through organisation of meetings, preparation of funding submissions and advocating on behalf of the group. The group now boasts 80 individual and group members and seeks to be an umbrella organisation for all environmental action groups in the Illawarra.

Working together....

In 1989, Lake Illawarra had been labelled 'Lake Stinkawarra' and there was enormous community concern and anger at the pollution of the once beautiful lake. Healthy Cities brought people and organisations together to undertake a massive lake clean up that was called 'Project Armada'. Over 130 different organisations and 2000 volunteers worked side by side to remove over 1500 tonnes of rubbish from in and around the Lake. This was a real example of the community working together to achieve a common aim.



Other environmental projects...

Healthy Cities Illawarra initiates and obtains support for a variety of environment related projects including:

  • Eradication of noxious vegetation such as bitou bush with community involvement in revegetation programs
  • Native bush regeneration in Ulladulla
  • Development of a Catchment Management Plan for Bhundoo (the Clyde River)
  • Multicultural Marine Care project
  • Setting up of a Regional Environment Centre
  • Community education and raising awareness on ecotourism issues
  • Futureworld - National Centre for Appropriate Technology - prepares research and development into ecologically sustainable technology in such areas as alternative energy methods

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