Feedback received on draft Community Health and Wellbeing Strategy

THE City of Greater Geelong says a second round of feedback has strengthened its draft Community Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-29.

The strategy will provide the direction for how the city will work to help improve the health and wellbeing of the municipality over the next four years.

Between April 23 and 25 May 25, more than 500 people engaged with the city, with 268 downloads of the draft strategy, 1,135 page views and 27 submissions.

There were five overarching themes emerging from survey responses:

• Health and wellbeing priorities, including equitable access to housing, nutritious food, and inclusive employment opportunities. Suggestions emphasised addressing homelessness, promoting local food production, and ensuring access to health services without financial barriers
• Community engagement and inclusion through inclusive programs, accessible facilities and activities beyond sports. Suggestions included expanding library programs, supporting diverse community groups, and promoting social connections for marginalised populations.
• Environmental and public health actions, such as banning waste incineration and improving air quality monitoring. Other actions included promoting smoke-free public spaces and greening neighbourhoods
• Mental and social wellbeing, emphasising the importance of mental health, social connections and spiritual wellbeing. Suggestions included addressing loneliness, supporting mental health initiatives, and creating spaces for activities that foster community engagement, and
• Strategy and implementation, highlighting the need for the strategy to focus on achievable goals in areas where Council has direct control and influence, avoiding overlap with state and federal responsibilities.

The city also consulted with its 11-member Youth Council, which highlight three issues in line with the priorities for their term:

• Physical activity and active living – providing lighting, maintaining equipment and public facilities, and providing outdoor gyms
• Gender equity and the prevention of violence – delivering lighting in public places, preventing violence in supermarkets and schools and encouraging girls’ participation in sport, and
• Harm minimisation – increasing education about substance abuse and domestic violence, delivering anti-vaping initiatives and resources and spaces for positive activities.

Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said the strength of the municipality was in its people.

“Seeing such thoughtful contributions to our draft Community Health and Wellbeing Strategy reaffirms how deeply our residents care about the wellbeing of our community.

“Council looks forward to reading the final strategy and implementing a plan that reflects the community’s voices and priorities.”

The final strategy will be considered by the council for endorsement at July’s meeting.

Following this, the first-year annual action plan will be developed.

For more information on the strategy, head to yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/CHWS