Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan

Planning for public health and wellbeing across a municipality requires a strategic approach, while meeting specific Council responsibilities of the Local Government Act 2020 and Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008.

Together the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008PDF and the Local Government Act 2020 guide Council’s strategic direction while planning frameworks such as the Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2019 - 2023 (VPHWP) set challenges around reducing inequalities in health, managing chronic disease and collaborative approaches to health prevention.

In addition, under the Climate Change Act 2017, Councils are required to ‘have regard to climate change’ when preparing a municipal public health and wellbeing plan. Council must also focus efforts on measures to prevent family violence and respond to the needs of victims of family violence in the local community; requirements of the Gender Equality Act 2020  

Integrated Public Health planning for Greater Shepparton is delivered and reported at the following three long, medium and short term levels:

Greater Shepparton Public Health Strategic Plan 2018–2028

Greater Shepparton’s 10-Year Public Health Strategic Plan 2018–2028 is the long term public health strategic planning tool used to guide the direction of public health efforts across the community.

Greater Shepparton Council Plan 2021–2025

Greater Shepparton City Council has obtained an exemption from the Department of Health from producing a standalone Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, and instead has chosen to integrate public health and wellbeing matters into the Council Plan.

Council’s four year strategic plan reflects our medium term approach and incorporates health and wellbeing as part of its design shaped by the Environments for Health Framework.

The Environments for Health Framework aims to make public health a central focus for local government and to increase capacity to prevent ill health and increase wellbeing. It is based on a social model for health which recognises the impact of the social, built, economic and natural environments on community health and wellbeing.

Councils are required to complete annual monitoring of achievement of strategic objectives, as specified under the Local Government Act 2020.

VicHealth Local Government Partnership Program

The VicHealth Local Government Partnership focuses on providing evidence-informed policy and practice change for councils to create healthy, active and connected communities for people who are 0-25 years of age.

Greater Shepparton City Council is dedicated to making health changes with and for the children and young people in our community. Over the next four years Council will work in partnership with VicHealth as one of 16 ‘fast-track’ Councils to ensure the voices and needs of children and young people aged 0-25 years are included in public health and wellbeing planning using systems-based thinking and co-design principles. Council will work in partnership across a broad range of health promotion modules that consolidate best-practice methodology, evidence and case studies to inform the planning and implementation of enhanced, equitable health policy, and practice changes tailored for our municipality. Health promotion modules include:

  • Building active communities
  • Connected and supported communities
  • Building better food systems for healthier communities
  • Strengthening tobacco control at a local level
  • Increasing alcohol harm prevention at a local level
  • Promoting everyday creativity at a local level

Learn more about the Vic Health Local Government Partnership 

Have your voice heard: 
Kids Co-designing Healthy Places 
Help us design healthy places and spaces

Greater Shepparton Public Health and Wellbeing Action Plan

Developed annually, this short term plan identifies key targets, actions and measures relevant to the achievement of public health outcomes aimed at addressing the strategic direction and priorities outlined in the Greater Shepparton Public Health Strategic Plan and Council Plan 2021–2025.

 

For more information, or to submit your suggestion for the next Municipal Health and Wellbeing Action Plan please contact Council on 03 5832 9400 or email healthplan@shepparton.vic.gov.au