10,000 Steps Rockhampton, sponsored by Queensland Health and based at CQU, is offering several small grants for community groups to encourage and support different approaches to increasing physical activity.

Round 2 of the Community Grant Scheme will be available from Monday, October 13, with applications closing on Friday, November 21, at 4pm.

The first round of funding in December 2002 awarded in excess of $27,000 to 16 local community groups and organisations involved in promotion of physical activity.

Getting more people to be physically active has a crucial role to play in the health of the Rockhampton community. Research presented over the last 10 years shows that physical inactivity is increasingly a major public health issue throughout Rockhampton and Queensland. That is according to Associate Professor Kerry Mummery from the School of Health and Human Performance at CQU.

"The direct healthcare cost to Australia of physical inactivity is over $350 million per year. It is now clear that physical inactivity has become the second leading contributor to the burden of disease in Australia and is the leading contributor among Australian women," Associate Professor Mummery said.

The 10,000 Steps project aims to change the levels of physical activity in Rockhampton. With 50.8 per cent of Rockhampton men and 62.8 per cent of Rockhampton women not sufficiently active for a health benefit, the Community Grant Scheme aims to help the local community increase its activity levels.

Project Implementation Manager Glenn Austin said the grant scheme aimed to: Promote and increase sustainable opportunities for physical activity in the Rockhampton community, particularly targeting groups with a sedentary lifestyle; Enhance and build on existing physical activity strategies undertaken by the 10,000 Steps Project; Identify opportunities for collaboration between the community and other physical activity stakeholders (eg; neighbourhoods, community groups, workplaces, local government).

Applications can be submitted for funding support up to $1500. Special consideration may be granted to projects exceeding this amount.

Those eligible for the small grants include individual Rockhampton residents or members of a group (formal or informal) who have an idea that, with financial support, could increase the physical activity levels of the community. Priority will be given to non-profit organisations.

Application forms will be available from local branches of Capricornia Credit Union, 10,000 Steps Project Office, Win Television, Hot FM, The Morning Bulletin or by visiting www.10000steps.org.au .

The 10,000 Steps Rockhampton project, funded by Queensland Health and based at CQU, is developing, implementing, and evaluating an innovative community-based and multi-strategy health promotion program. The overarching goal of the project is to create a sustainable model of community-based physical activity promotion. The aim is to increase participation in physical activity in the adult population, especially on sedentary people from socially and economically disadvantaged groups.

For details call Glenn Austin on 4923 2171 or 0413 516 945 or visit www.10000steps.org.au