A joint initiative between the CQU-based 10,000 Steps project and Rockhampton City Council has seen the development of a series of signed and stencilled walking routes, the first of their kind in Queensland.

Titled Every Step Counts, the purpose of the signage is to encourage and support Rockhampton residents of all ages to take physical activity for leisure and health.

“It is hoped that by providing information on local path locations, distances and signage, residents will be encouraged to adopt walking as part of their daily lives and use some of the many footpaths and walkways available in the city,” Implementation Manager of the 10,000 Steps Project Glenn Austin said.

Two pathways have been completed to date, the popular Frenchville Road route and Campbell Street in Wandal. Signage includes identification of Start and End points along with distances in steps and metres. The signage also highlights key destinations in close proximity to the paths including schools, shops, newsagents and libraries.

Rockhampton City Councillors Jim Webber (Division Two) and Jim Rundle (Division Three) donated funds from their community benefit fund to allow the signage for the first two pathways to be installed.

“Consider the options of leaving the car at home and walk your children to school or walk down to the corner store to pick up the daily milk, bread and paper - these chores provide a great opportunity to be physically active in our daily living, and every step counts,” Mr Austin said.

Rockhampton City Mayor Cr Margaret Strelow said the new signage was a positive step towards encouraging increased levels of physical activity in the community.

Our participation and support for 10,000 Steps is an important part of Council’s vision for a healthy, vibrant and active community, and I encourage residents to get out and take advantage of them,” Cr Strelow said.

The walking routes have been supported with a new brochure including identification of walking routes and distances in steps and metres, which will be distributed to ratepayers with their rates notices. Maps will also be included in Council’s 2003 Community Services Directory, delivered to all householders in September.

The 10,000 Steps Rockhampton project, funded by Queensland Health and based at Central Queesland University, is a community-based and multi-strategy program focused on physical activity and the social determinants of health.