A
draft strategy detailing the City of Greater Geelong’s health and wellbeing
priorities for the next four years has received Council support.
Council
during its April meeting endorsed the release of the draft Community Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2029 for a period of community consultation.
The
strategy was previously part of Council’s Community Plan, however from this
year it will exist as a standalone document to ensure a long-term vision for
overall health and wellbeing in Greater Geelong.
The
strategy has been informed by data collected last year including the findings
of the 2024 Geelong Preventative Health Survey, consultation with community
health and wellbeing stakeholders, workshops with internal staff, and community
engagement through the Have Your Say platform and Neighbourhood Houses.
It
identifies six adopted health and wellbeing priorities:
- Mental wellbeing and social inclusion
- Equitable access to safe, healthy and sustainable food
- Physical activity and active living
- Gender equity and prevention of violence
- Climate change and health impacts
- Harm minimisation (associated with tobacco, vaping, alcohol misuse and gambling)
The City will implement the
strategy through yearly action plans and annual reviews to track its progress
toward key strategic objectives.
Council will work closely
with community groups, organisations and other agencies to leverage their
expertise and resources. Key partners include local health services,
educational institutions and non-profit organisations.
Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM
The priorities identified in the strategy align
with our Council Plan 2025-29 and the Statewide Public Health and Wellbeing
Plan 2023-2027.
They provide us with a clear direction for
strategic partnerships to improve the health and wellbeing of our population.
The annual review of the action plans will
enable us to meet the changing needs of our community while also moving toward
to a healthier, happier Greater Geelong.
Councillor Rowan Story AM, RFD
This
strategy aims to identify any areas of health disparity across the region, so
community input is vital to ensure any areas of concern are heard from across
all of Greater Geelong.
Community
engagement is now open and will close at 5pm on Sunday 25 May.
Visit: yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/CHWS
The
final version of the Strategy will be presented for adoption at Council’s July
2025 ordinary meeting.