Workers to take steps to a healthier lifestyle
Posted by editor (editor) on Jan 07 2010
2010 >>

Queensland Government employees in the Brisbane CBD will be able to help themselves to a healthier lifestyle by taking the stairs instead of using lifts in 2010.

Acting Minister for Public Works Peter Lawlor said the stairwells in 13 government office buildings across the CBD would be opened to encourage staff to use the stairs.

“Up to 15,000 Queensland Government employees will have the option of taking the stairs from next year which is a great boost to our Toward Q2 goal of making Queenslanders Australia’s healthiest people,” Mr Lawlor said.

“Clearly there are the health benefits for the staff from doing more exercise.

“But there are also environmental benefits as reducing the usage of the lifts will use less power,” he said.

The Minister said the ‘Healthy Lifestyles in Government Buildings’ initiative was being rolled out in the Brisbane CBD government office buildings following a successful trial in the Executive Building.

“The trial in the Executive Building was overwhelmingly successful and we are expecting there will be similar interest in all the buildings,” he said.

“Statistics gathered by the Department of Public Works during the six month trial period show the stairs were used on average 40,000 times a month.

“Of the staff who responded to an online survey during the trial period, 90 per cent went on to use the stairs.

“We’re confident that Queensland Government employees across the Brisbane CBD will respond in the same pro-active manner by stepping up and using the healthier and greener option.

“The Queensland Government has introduced a number of successful programs to help achieve our Toward Q2 goal to make Queenslanders Australia’s healthiest people and I am pleased to be part of this one.”

In addition to the Executive Building, fire stairs will be opened in the following buildings:

Education House, 111 George Street, 33 Charlotte, 317 Edward Street, Neville Bonner, Mineral House, 80 George Street, Executive Annexe, 61 Mary Street, 63 George Street, State Health and Forestry House.

Last changed: Jan 07 2010 at 2:34 PM