Improving mental health

MENTAL health and wellbeing are ongoing priorities for the City of Greater Geelong that require listening to our community, followed by action.

Our council plays a powerful role in advocating for initiatives that will benefit our most at-risk communities.

More than a quarter of residents in our city’s north reported being in psychological distress and almost half classified themselves “lonely” in the latest Geelong Preventative Health Survey.

The 2024 edition of the survey included responses from approximately 10,000 households across Greater Geelong and divided the results into geographic ‘Planning Areas’ to identify areas of health and social inequity.

In Planning Area 13, which includes the suburbs of Corio, Norlane and North Shore, 28 per cent of residents reported being in severe or moderate psychological distress.

Forty-six per cent classified as lonely and 38 per cent had sought professional help for a mental health-related problem.

The survey also revealed major cost-of-living pressures and food insecurity in these suburbs, which are both factors impacting mental health.

Which is why Council has joined Barwon Health in advocating for a mental health hub in Geelong’s northern suburbs.

The hub, listed in the City of Greater Geelong’s Federal Priority Projects, would be a one-stop walk-in centre capable of providing a full range of services seven days a week.

The proposal aims to replicate Barwon Health’s mental health hub in central Geelong, but on a smaller scale.

This hub would provide essential mental health support to Geelong’s northern suburbs, helping to improve the health and wellbeing of our community.

Sport also plays a vital role in our community’s wellbeing, keeping people fit, active and socially connected, and we need to ensure sporting infrastructure keeps pace with our growing population.

Which is why I was thrilled to be at Windsor Park last Saturday as the federal Member for Corio and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles announced a funding commitment to upgrade this facility.

I joined Mr Marles and state Member for Lara Ella George for the announcement during North Shore Football and Netball Club’s season launch at their home ground.

Windsor Park has had minor improvements over the years but needs a major upgrade to meet current community needs.

On Saturday federal government committed $4 million to this Priority Project, with state government and Council already committing $2 million and $500,000 respectively.

The proposed project would build two new netball courts and new cricket nets, and upgrade the main pavilion, open spaces, parking and vehicle access.

It would provide improved playing areas for training and competitive sport, strengthening the efforts of the North Shore Seagulls and other local sporting clubs to attract new members.

More modern and welcoming facilities would also promote greater participation by all genders and age groups and encourage more people to get involved in local sport.

With a national election coming up next month, I encourage all candidates for the federal seat of Corio to commit funding to this important project at Windsor Park.

As your Corio Ward Councillor, I look forward to continuing to work with local federal MPs and candidates to secure funding for vital upgrades in Geelong’s northern suburbs.

Cr Anthony Aitken

Corio Ward,

City of Greater Geelong