Shape community health and wellbeing

COUNCIL is urging the public to share their perspectives to help shape the Community Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2029.

As Council’s Health portfolio chair, I have a keen interest in this important document, and I look forward to hearing the community’s feedback, which will guide our work over the coming four years.

At our April council meeting last week we voted to endorse a draft of the strategy for public engagement, and I am pleased this is now in the community’s hands so we can hear your valuable ideas, suggestions and concerns.

Previously, the Health and Wellbeing Strategy was part of our Council Community Plan.

However, it is now a standalone document so that we can focus on a long-term vision for the overall health and wellbeing of Greater Geelong.

The draft strategy was formulated with information collected late last year through a range of community consultation workshops and sessions with health and wellbeing organisations.

It also included data on the health and wellbeing needs of our community highlighted in the 2024 Geelong Preventative Health Survey, launched earlier this month.

The strategy identified six key priorities that we will address over the coming four years:

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, and

Harm minimisation (associated with tobacco, vaping, alcohol misuse and gambling).

We will work very closely with local health services, educational institutions, non-profit organisations and community groups to address these concerns.

These collaborators include Deakin University, the Western Victoria Primary Health Network, Barwon South West Public Health Unit and Bellarine Community Health.

The strategy will provide us with a clear direction for these partnerships that will directly support our community over the coming years.

It also aims to highlight areas of health and wellbeing disparity across Greater Geelong.

Some health concerns that will be addressed include our community’s access to healthy and sustainable food, housing, open spaces, services, early childhood development and social inclusion.

We recognise that Greater Geelong is a vast region, and the needs of our community vary drastically from one person to the next, so your input is vital to the strategy’s success.

We want to make sure this strategy really encapsulates the needs of our entire community, with all priority and minority groups accounted for.

Through collaboration, this strategy will ensure that everyone in our community has the opportunity to live a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Community engagement is now open until 5pm on Sunday, May 25 and we will examine the updated version of the strategy at our July Council Meeting.

To have your say, head to yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/CHWS

Cr Rowan Story

Murradoc Ward,

City of Greater Geelong