Action plan for health priorities

An action plan identifying key community health priorities has been adopted by Baw Baw Shire Council.

Active living, healthy eating, mental wellbeing and gender equity are key focus areas of the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan.

The plan was formally adopted by council late last year but council has now adopted an action plan that sets out priority projects and service delivery.

Council engaged Symplan to assist in preparing the plan and associated action plan. Council's Healthy Baw Baw Advisory Committee and key service providers also were involved in preparing the plan.

The action plan identified 67 actions, 24 of which are led by teams across council's organisation and 43 are led by partner organisations. Key objectives set out in the plan include: Active living - increase participation in active living for everyone;

Healthy eating - supporting access to adequate, affordable, nutritious and culturally appropriate food and beverages;

Mental wellbeing - enhancing mental wellbeing by creating resilient, connected and inclusive communities; and,

Gender equity and prevention of family violence - creating a more gender equitable and respectful community that is free of violence.

The actions set out by council are aligned to the four priority areas.

Some of the projects identified for council teams to deliver include:

Increasing all abilities and playground access; Developing a public toilet, public lighting and playground strategy;

Supporting an active living program through early child care;

Encouraging food providers at council's aquatic and leisure facilities to provide healthy food options;

Developing a strategy to facilitate community gardens; and,

Identifying and supporting mental health initiatives available to residents

Baw Baw Food Movement also is involved with a number of actions to encourage and support healthy eating.

The focus on gender equity and preventing family violence will see council promote zero tolerance and promote commitment to equality through the gender equality action plan.

Council also will raise awareness of gender equity programs in open space and sports field areas.

Cr Jazmin Tauru said the action plan ensured the community was thriving in the four key areas of the plan including

"This shows how we can improve the overall health and wellbeing of our community," she said.

Cr Annemarie McCabe said the plan showed council's commitment to enhancing the health and wellbeing of its residents.

She said the plan focussed on four key objectives which set out actions on how to achieve those objectives.

"There is nothing more important than the health of our community," he said.

Cr Tricia Jones said it was pleasing that feedback on the previous plan had been incorporated into the new plan.

"This plan also includes strategies that respond to climate change," she said.