Council seeks community comment on health and wellbeing
May 25, 2017
Colac Otway Shire Council’s draft Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan outlines the ways Council and health service providers can support local people to stay healthy, active and connected to their friends, family and community.
Council decided at its May meeting to release the draft Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan for community comment.
Mayor Chris Potter said Council worked with a range of health service partners to support local people at each life stage, from birth to workforce, and from parenthood into retirement.
He said Council was in a unique position to influence better health and wellbeing outcomes for the community, through initiatives ranging from direct services through to advocacy to higher levels of government.
“Some of the key focus areas of the plan include young people and their families; our ageing population; family violence; healthy eating and living; mental health and connectedness; culture, heritage and diversity; and tobacco and other drugs.
“These are big community-wide themes, but our plan looks at them through the lens of local government to determine what role we have in supporting work in these important areas which may include acknowledging community health issues and advocating for support to other entities.”
Cr Potter said the consultation process for the plan included a workshop of health and community agencies that provide health and wellbeing services and support in the shire; an online survey; a Youth Engagement Project Survey; an attitudes to education survey; and several Age Friendly and Dementia Inclusive Communities focus groups held across the shire.
“The preparation of this plan involved an extensive consultation process with the community and service providers across the shire,” he said.
The plan reflects the key themes identified by the new Council and community, as well as the Victorian Health and Wellbeing Plan 2015-2019, G21 Regional Alliance and Barwon Regional Partnership.
The display phase will commence on 29th May and end on 30th June, after which Council will consider formal endorsement of the plan at its July meeting, after giving consideration to community comment.
The document is available to download from www.colacotway.vic.gov.au
People wanting to discuss the draft plan can talk to Council officers at two pop-up sessions, on 8 June in Colac outside Target) from 10am to 1pm, or on 22 June at Apollo Bay in the Great Ocean Road shopping precinct 10am to 1pm.
Council Enquiries
(03) 5232 9400