CITY BANS SUGAR

Council axes soft drinks from venues & sports sites

SOFT drinks will be phased out of community cafes and canteens across the region over the next two years, under an ambitious council plan aimed at improving the health of ratepayers.

Under the City of Greater Geelong’s “Healthy Choices — Sugar Sweetened Beverages Strategy”, soft drinks will be withdrawn from sale at all council and community-operated sports venues and other facilities by the end of 2019.

“Action will commence in October 2017 with a phased-in reduction of sugar-sweetened beverages over a two-year period, with education programs and resources provided to support implementation of the strategy,” a report states.

The report — set to be endorsed at a council meeting on Wednesday — says consultation with local sports bodies about the proposed ban took place last month, and was broadly supported.

“A staged withdrawal of sugar-sweetened beverages is an important next step for the work which has occurred so far. Where there are leased cafes operating in community facilities, the withdrawal will occur through a staged transition in line with future leases renewal/options or via negotiation,” the report states.

“This initiative means that Greater Geelong will be one of the first Victorian councils to implement a reduction of SSB (sugar-sweetened beverage) provision.”

Some flavoured milks and 99 per cent fruit juice products with no added sugar could potentially still be sold, alongside plain and sparkling water.

Sale of artificially sweetened drinks could also be possible at some facilities, but would be restricted at venues that catered for large numbers of children, it says.

The Victorian Population Health Survey shows the Geelong region is the state’s sixth highest consumer of soft drinks. It also shows a staggering 49 per cent of the local population is overweight or obese, and more than 40 per cent of adolescents consume soft drinks daily.

It is known that sugary drinks are high in kilojoules and a key cause of obesity, tooth decay and chronic disease.

The council report says Lara pool, Splashdown, Leisuretime and The Arena stadium have all made changes to their menus, introducing healthier choices.

Lara pool had demonstrated during the past three seasons that withdrawing sugary drinks from sale did not necessarily result in public backlash or a reduction in canteen profits, the report states.

Lara Football and Netball Club has already expressed an interest in withdrawing soft drinks from sale.

Vending machines at council worksites and other community facilities will also be modified to ensure 80 per cent of drinks on offer are healthy.

Education sessions will be provided to staff at councilowned and operated sport and recreation centres to help navigate the changes.