200 Buchanan Road, Morayfield, QLD 4506 Tel: 1300 284 531 sales@justpatios.com.au In Australia, communities, businesses, and the government are looking to improve outdoor spaces. This is being done in an effort to improve residents’ quality of life, help businesses stay safe from COVID-19, and allow hospitality businesses to expand their dining accommodations. Due to the pandemic, many Australians experience high levels of psychological stress, and mental health crisis lines are receiving more calls. Not all anxiety or distress is due to a disorder, but it is important to manage it so that it does not become more serious. In Port Macquarie, the elderly’s mental health has been compromised by COVID-19. They have not been able to socially interact with other tenants as much due to lockdowns and fear of COVID-19. To address this, Community Housing Limited, a not-for- profit housing organization, started the Balcony Garden Project. The Balcony Garden Project aims to encourage seniors to spend more time outdoors. Community Housing Limited is overhauling patios and balconies within two Port Macquarie apartment blocks to add portable gardens, vegetables, other plants, and seating. The project received local business and volunteer support and was praised by the NSW Mental Health Commissioner, Catherine Louerey. The Outdoors Are Important for Mental Health Organizations are also receiving support in various forms for new outdoor infrastructure from the Australian government. In Morpeth, NSW, Parliament Secretary for the Hunter, Taylor Martin, funded the Morpeth Men’s Shed’s construction of a carport with a roof as part of the $1.62 million allocated for the improvement of men’s sheds. The goal was to renew interest in men’s sheds and foster interaction within communities. In the city of Ballarat, over 40 hospitality businesses are set to receive outdoor dining infrastructure, allowing restaurants, cafes, and the like to increase their outdoor eating spaces. Similar efforts are being made in the city of Yara, where a new policy allows businesses to trade in allocated parklets. In addressing the impact of COVID-19 on the country, it is imperative to pay attention to outdoor spaces. The increased ventilation makes them safer spaces than inside buildings, and they are essential for citizens’ mental health and for supporting businesses. Support for Organizations ht tps: / /www.abc .net .au /news/2022-02-20 /anx ie ty -young-people - is - increas ing-across-aust ra l ia -cov id /100829836 ht tps: / /www.abc .net .au /news/2022-02-19 /br ighten ing-ba lconies-of - e lder ly - to - l i f t -sp i r i ts -dur ing-cov id /100831508 ht tps: / /www. justpat ios .com.au/carpor t -bu i lders -br isbane / ht tps: / /www.mai t landmercury .com.au/s tory /7630309 /20000- in - s t imulus- funding- to -he lp -upgrade-morpeth-mens-shed/ ht tps: / / ins ide loca lgovernment .com.au /ba l la ra t -d ishes-up-new- outdoor -d in ing- in f rast ructure / h t tps: / /www.yarrac i ty .v ic .gov .au /news/2021 /10 /06 /yar ra - in t roduces-one-of -melbournes- f i rs t -permanent -outdoor -d in ing- programs References :