Greater Bendigo Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021
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Greater Bendigo Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021
Dhelkunya Djandaki, Dhelkunya Murrup, Dhelkunya Acknowledgement of Country
Djaara Ngulumbarra – Murun dhelk
The ancestors and descendants of the
Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung are the
Healing our Country, Healing Spirit, Healing People
traditional owners of this Country.
gathering together - living good health.
The City of Greater Bendigo
It is essential to create balance in the mind, body and spirit to acknowledges that they have been
experience holistic health and wellbeing. Creating good mental, custodians for many centuries and
physical and spiritual health comes from the foundations of knowing continue to perform age old ceremonies
that we are all a part of something much bigger than ourselves. That of celebration, initiation and renewal.
we are connected to the health and wellbeing of our environment
and our community. Healing one part will help heal another. We all acknowledge their living culture
and their unique role in the life of
Rebecca Phillips this region.
Dja Dja Wurrung woman
Introduction The World Health Organization defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Many factors affect the health and wellbeing of Local governments are ideally placed to lead the individuals and communities. The quality of our development and implementation of local policies health is created in our day to day lives – where and actions that address community health and and how we live, work and play, the health of the wellbeing through their work. environment, our income and education level, and The Greater Bendigo Health and Wellbeing Plan our relationships with family and friends all have an will guide Council and its partners in working to impact on our health and wellbeing. improve the health and wellbeing of our community Good health and wellbeing is important to everyone over the next four years. The plan was developed and enables people to participate fully in community following a review of relevant Federal, State and life. It is essential for a strong economy. Local Government policy, analysis of local health Local government, community organisations, and wellbeing data, engagement of the community businesses and individuals all have responsibilities and key stakeholders, and identification of health and a role to play in supporting improvements to and wellbeing issues where we can influence the local health and wellbeing. This can be through outcomes. changes to policy, community action, cultural and individual behaviour change, and through improving our neighbourhoods and environment. How the plan was developed • Reflecting on outcomes from the Greater Bendigo • Engagement with the community and key Health and Wellbeing Plan 2013 - 2017 stakeholders to identify priorities for actions, current • Establishment of an Internal Working Group and an actions underway, focus of future actions and External Project Reference Group, which identified governance for the plan the issues the plan had the greatest potential to • Identifying the principles, approach, focus, settings address and reviewed the evidence about what and environments, and enablers for action works best to create change • Development of ways to monitor and evaluate the • Review of Federal, State and Local Government plan’s progress and achievement policy • Designing a structure to ensure collaborative effort • Research and analysis of health and wellbeing data towards common goals and to guide ongoing and indicators community and partner engagement. • Review of recent Council community engagement
Greater Bendigo Health and Wellbeing Plan
Connected to culture
Healthy and well Safe and secure Able to participate Liveable
and community
Proportion of adults, adolescents and
Proportion of adults feeling safe walking in Proportion of adults who feel valued by Greater Bendigo Liveability Indicators
children who rate their health as very good Employment rate
their street at night / in their home at night society (score across relevant selection)
or excellent
• Promote healthy lifestyles • Prevent violence against women and • Support early years learning and • Support inclusive communities by • Promote environmental sustainability
- Healthy eating children development valuing: and resilience to a changing climate
- Increase physical activity and decrease - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
• Increase community safety • Promote educational attainment • Improve accessibility
sedentary behaviour people
- Decrease crime and antisocial - Cultural diversity - Health and community services
• Support inclusive employment
• Promote positive mental wellbeing behaviour - People with a disability - Transport
- Deliver health protection services • Improve health, financial and digital - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, - Technology and information
• Improved sexual and reproductive health literacy
- Lead community-based emergency Intersex and Questioning/Queer • Facilitate supportive built and natural
• Reduce harm from management planning • Support positive ageing (LGBTIQ) community environments
- Tobacco
• Reduce socio-economic disadvantage • Build community resilience
- Alcohol and misuse of drugs by increasing access to affordable: - Strengthen community participation
- Gambling - Nutritious food and belonging
- Diverse housing - Increase social connection and reduce
- Energy loneliness
Our Framework for Action
Community
Our principles Equity and fairness Accessibility Policy alignment
engagement
Evidence informed Evaluation
Asset-based community
Our approach Place based Co-design Health in all policies
development
Systems thinking Collective impact
Children and Socio-economic Climate change
Our focus young people
Older residents Disabled residents Gender equity
disadvantage
Cultural diversity
impact
Our settings and Whole of Public Schools (including Arts and Sport and
Health and
Rural communities Workplaces community
environment population space early years) culture active recreation
services
Shared leadership Community groups Financing and resource Media and Learning and
Our enablers and strategic thinking and organisations allocation communications development
Monitoring and
evaluation Healthy and well Safe and secure
The Victorian Public Health and
Wellbeing Outcomes Framework Proportion of adults, adolescents Proportion of adults feeling
provides a number of measures and children who rate their health safe walking in their street at
that can be used to help monitor as very good or excellent night / in their home at night
and evaluate the plan.
The following measures have • Proportion of adults, adolescents • Rate of incidents of family
been identified as the best and children who consume violence by police
currently known measures of the sufficient fruit and vegetables • Crime rate – including
goals and objectives of this plan. • Proportion of adults, adolescents offences of crimes against
They have been selected as they and children who consume the person
are readily available and provide sugar-sweetened beverages daily • Immunisation coverage
insights at a Local Government • Proportion of adults, adolescents rate at school entry
level. Over the life of the plan, and children who are sufficiently • Proportion of adults and
other measures will be sought for physically active children who ran out of
those goals and objectives without • Proportion of adults, and food and could not afford
a suitable measure. In addition to adolescents with psychological to buy more
these key measures, others will distress • Proportion of households
be reviewed to assess progress
• Birth rate for young women with housing costs that
towards goals and objectives.
15 – 19 years represent 30% or more of
• Proportion of adults and household gross income
adolescents who smoke
For investigation:
• Proportion of adults and
• Suitable measures for
adolescents who consume
community-based
excess alcohol
emergency management
• Rate of alcohol, prescription drug planning
or illicit drug-related ambulance
• Suitable measures to
attendances
reduce socio-economic
• Number of gaming machines disadvantage through
per person and average spend provision of access to
per adult on electronic gaming affordable energy
machines
For investigation:
• Whether to include overweight
and obesity measure: proportion
of adults, adolescents and
children who are overweight and
obese
6
Connected to
Able to participate culture and Liveable
community
Greater Bendigo Liveability
Proportion of adults who feel
Employment rate Indicators (score across relevant
valued by society
selection)
• Proportion of children • Proportion of adults who thought • Average number of days it
at school entry who are multiculturalism definitely made has taken for a new client to
developmentally on track in all life in their area better commence the HACC service
five domains of the Australian • Rate of use of local recreation from the point of referral
Early Development Census facilities among people with a • Average number of days it
• Proportion of the adult disability takes for Council to action
population who have • Proportion of adults who feel food complaints received from
completed year 12, a bachelor part of the community members of the public
degree or higher, or a • Distance of footpaths, off-road
• Proportion of the population
vocational qualification paths, on-road bike lanes and on-
who are 75 years or older and
• Local unemployment and living alone road protected bike lanes
labour force participation rates • Proportion of households who
for selected groups (long term For investigation: can access the internet at home
unemployed, Aboriginal and • Valuing Aboriginal diversity.
Torres Strait Islander peoples, The State Government has For investigation:
people with a disability, young committed to developing • Suitable measures to promote
people, seniors) a measure of Connected environmental sustainability and
to Culture and Country for resilience to a changing climate,
For investigation:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait for example:
• Suitable measures for health, Islander residents to respond to - Energy usage per household
financial and digital literacy
• Suitable measures for valuing - Kerbside diversion rate
• Suitable measures for positive LGBTIQ communities (recyclables and organics)
ageing
- Consider One Planet Living
• Whether to include youth
measures
engagement in education
measure: Increased proportion • Suitable measures to facilitate
of 17 year-olds still attending supportive built and natural
education, including school environments, i.e. proportion of
and vocational training households living within walking
distance of:
- An activity centre
- Recreation/open space
- Consider One Planet Living
measures
Greater Bendigo Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021 | 7
Background
The Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 The Act mandates the plan must:
(the Act) mandates that Local Governments a) Include an examination of data about health
have a responsibility to protect, improve and status and health determinants in the municipal
promote public health and wellbeing within their district;
municipalities.
b) Identify goals and strategies based on available
The Act sets out the following functions for evidence for creating a local community in
councils: which people can achieve maximum health and
• Create an environment that supports the health wellbeing;
of members of the local community and c) Provide for the involvement of people in the local
strengthens the capacity of the community and community in the development, implementation
individuals to achieve better health; and evaluation of the public health and wellbeing
• Initiate, support and manage public health plan;
planning processes at the Local Government d) Specify how the council will work in partnership
level; with the Department of Health and Human
• D
evelop and implement public health policies Services and other agencies undertaking public
and programs within the municipal district; health initiatives, projects and programs to
• Develop and enforce up-to-date public health accomplish the goals and strategies identified in
standards and intervene if the health of people the plan.
within the municipal district is affected; The Victorian Climate Change Act 2011 requires that
• Facilitate and support local agencies whose work every Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan
has an impact on public health and wellbeing to also considers the short and long term impacts of
improve public health and wellbeing in the local climate change in relation to health and wellbeing
community; priorities. The new Climate Change Act 2017 came
into effect on November 1.
• Co-ordinate and provide immunisation services
to children living or being educated within the The Department of Health and Human Services
municipal district; and provides Local Government with guidance on
developing a Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing
• Ensure that the municipal district is maintained in Plan. In May 2017, additional advice was provided
a clean and sanitary condition. with regard to councils’ responsibilities in preventing
Councils must prepare a Municipal Public Health and responding to family violence and the need to
and Wellbeing Plan (the plan) every four years within incorporate relevant actions into Municipal Public
12 months of the council elections. The plan is a Health and Wellbeing Plans.
strategic plan that sits alongside and integrates with
the Council Plan and Municipal Strategic Statement.
8
The Greater Bendigo community
To assist with identifying priorities for the plan, a data Community safety
profile outlining community demographics, health Rates of reported family violence are higher than the
determinants and behaviours, and health status was Victorian average
developed.
Analysis of this data identified the following Community resilience and environmental
‘emerging themes’ for consideration: sustainability
Vulnerable children • The pace of societal change is growing. Inability
to adapt to this rapid change can lead to high
It is internationally recognised that early years levels of anxiety and depression
learning and development has a significant impact
on future life outcomes • Climate change is causing an increase
in frequency of extreme weather events.
Disengaged youth Responding to these incidents requires high levels
Experiences during the transition to adulthood of community resilience
influence future life outcomes • Evidence shows that spending time in nature is
good for both physical and mental wellbeing
Ageing
As people age, the incidence of chronic conditions Educational attainment
such as type 2 diabetes, arthritis and heart disease Education attainment is associated with better
increases as does the risk of stroke and cancer health and economic outcomes throughout life
Health behaviours Connection and inclusion
• Poor diet is a known contributor to a wide range • A socially inclusive community is one where all
of health conditions, including obesity, type 2 people feel valued, their differences respected
diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis and some and their basic needs met so they can live in
cancers dignity
• Smoking is still a leading cause of death across • Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders experience
Victoria poorer health outcomes than the rest of the
• Problem gambling can have negative effects for community
families, friends and co-workers Affordable housing
Health inequity A good quality, secure home, that is affordable and
• Socio-economic opportunities and health energy efficient is a key determinant of health and
outcomes are not equally distributed across the wellbeing
Greater Bendigo community. Many of these
inequities are avoidable and unfair
• People living in rural environments generally
experience poorer health outcomes than their
urban peers
Greater Bendigo Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021 | 9
Health and wellbeing
policy influence
(Table 1)
To inform the development of the plan, a review
of key Federal, State and Local Government policy Vision
documents was undertaken. It highlighted that there This plan establishes a vision for the state: a
has been increased focus over the last few years on: Victoria free of the avoidable burden of disease
• Mental health and injury so that all Victorians can enjoy the
highest attainable standards of health, wellbeing
• Prevention of violence against women and and participation at every age.
children
• Affordable housing Strategic directions
• Early years learning and development • Improvements at every stage of life
• Climate change • Starting well
• Drugs and alcohol – specifically ice • Resilient adolescence and youth
Some key themes from these policies in these areas • Healthy adulthood
include: • Active and healthy ageing
• A focus on prevention and early intervention • Promoting health and wellbeing
• Using place-based approaches that are delivered • Healthier eating and active living
in partnership with the community • Tobacco-free living
• The need to consider the whole system when • Reducing harmful alcohol and drug use
designing interventions • Improving mental health
• Applying a ‘health lens’ to all policy development • Preventing violence and injury
• The use of the ‘collective impact’ approach • Improving social and reproductive health
• The importance of partnerships and collaboration • Platforms for change
• Healthy and sustainable environments
• The need to build on the strengths of the
community rather than taking a deficit approach • Place-based approaches
A key influence for the plan was the Victorian Public • People-centred approaches
Health and Wellbeing Plan 2015 – 2019. A summary
of the State Government plan is depicted in Table 1.
Planning alignment
To ensure a coordinated local prevention effort, it is a joint strategic approach to integrated health
expected that organisations and councils receiving promotion planning aligned to this plan.
prevention and health promotion funding work The State Government Koolin Balit, which means
together with the Department of Health and Human healthy people in Boonwurrung language, is a
Services and other local partners to establish a Victorian Government strategy that commits the
common approach to the preparation of health and health system to improve the length and quality of
wellbeing plans. life of Aboriginal people in Victoria by 2022. Koolin
The Bendigo Loddon Primary Care Partnership, Balit provides a clear path forward to achieving
Bendigo Community Health, Bendigo Health significant and measurable outcomes in Aboriginal
(GREATER), Heathcote Health and Women’s Health health.
Loddon Mallee are in the process of developing
10
Health and climate change
The impact of climate change presents serious
environmental, economic and health challenges.
Some people will be at higher risk of health
problems related to weather and climate change
impacts. This includes children, older adults, people
with existing medical conditions, people who work
outdoors and those who live in areas most likely to
be affected, such as rural communities.
Impacts can be direct, such as illness, injury or death
from extreme weather events, or indirect such as as the climate
reduced access to fresh food or mental health continues to change.
issues caused by economic and social stress from
Building our resilience to
drought.
the health impacts of climate
The Greater Bendigo region is experiencing and will change will involve:
continue to experience the following changes in
• Building a climate-resilient health
climate:
and community services sector
• Higher overall temperatures year-round
• Identifying vulnerable people and groups and
• More heatwaves gaps in infrastructure to support them
• Less annual rainfall (including more time spent in • Enhancing the capacity of communities to
drought) anticipate their climate risks and reduce impacts
• More intense rainfall events (more flooding) • Adopting policies that reduce risks to health and
• More very high and extreme fire danger days, and wellbeing, while reducing greenhouse emissions.
longer fire seasons
Royal Commission into Family Violence
The highest health and wellbeing risks due to – recommendation 94
climate change in Greater Bendigo are:
In May 2017 the Victorian Department of Health
• Injuries or death as a result of increased bushfire and Human Services released guidance for Local
frequency and intensity Government that requires councils to “report on
• Premature deaths as a result of heatwaves the measures they propose to take to reduce family
violence and respond to the needs of the victim”
• Mental ill health after disaster events (bushfires,
in preparing their Municipal Public Health and
floods, drought)
Wellbeing Plans.
• Increased thunderstorm asthma as a result of
changing rainfall patterns and extreme weather
• Increased vector borne diseases (e.g. Ross River
virus, Barmah Forest virus, dengue fever, Murray
Valley encephalitis or Legionnaires’ disease)
• Social and economic impacts from the spread of
animal disease
These impacts put increased pressure on health
services and infrastructure. They, and others
identified, are all projected to increase in the future
Greater Bendigo Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021 | 11Greater Bendigo Community Plan 2017-2021 Strengthening the economy
– Vision: Creating the world’s most liveable Advocacy, innovation and support to grow jobs and
community diversify the local and regional economy.
In June 2017, the Greater Bendigo Council endorsed
its new Community Plan (Council Plan) for 2017 – Presentation and managing growth
2021. Planning, developments and infrastructure that
Lead and govern for all increase our liveability and pride in where we live.
Effective community engagement will guide well- Environmental sustainability
informed, responsive decision-making and financially Protect and enhance our environment, conserve
responsible resource allocations, which are our resources and increase resilience to a changing
transparent and accountable. climate.
Wellbeing and fairness Embracing our culture and heritage
Inclusive policies, partnerships and projects that Recognise and celebrate our unique history and
increase access, improve health and learning diverse cultures.
opportunities by building better connections and
quality of life for all.
How the plan fits with other Council strategies and plans
The following policies, strategies and plans have influenced the final priorities for this plan:
Greater Bendigo Community Plan 2017-2021
Lead and govern for all | Wellbeing and fairness | Strengthening the economy
Presentation and managing growth | Environmental strategy
Embracing our culture and heritage
Municipal Public Health
Municipal Strategic Statement
and Wellbeing Plan
Settlement | Housing
Environment | Economic Healthy and well | Safe and secure
Development | Infrastucture Able to participate | Connected to
culture and community | Liveable
Integrated Transport and Land Use Strategy | Housing Strategy
Economic Development Strategy | Environment Strategy
Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Plan | Residential Development Strategy
Public Space Strategy | Community Access and Inclusion Plan
Reconciliation Action Plan | Municipal Early Years Plan
Road Management Plan | Domestic Wastewater Management Strategy
Waste and Resource Management Strategy | Annual Budget
Structure Plans | Master Plans | Action Plans | Community Plans
Commercial Land and Activity Centre Plan
12Greater Bendigo Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021 | 13
Community engagement
The objectives of the community engagement Community health and wellbeing planning forums
process were: In April 2017 an invitation to three community
• Communicate the health and wellbeing status of forums was sent to more than 100 organisations,
the Greater Bendigo community networks and businesses that were identified as
• Identify and explore other health and wellbeing having a link to health and wellbeing through a
concerns comprehensive stakeholder analysis.
• Strengthen understanding of health and wellbeing Forum one
issues for vulnerable groups within the community Approximately 100 stakeholder agencies and
• Build understanding of current barriers within the network representatives came together to consider
community that limit health and wellbeing the emerging themes and identify priorities.
• Strengthen relationships with key stakeholder Forum two
groups to increase their engagement in health Approximately 30 participants reviewed the
and wellbeing planning and implementation draft Healthy Greater Bendigo Framework and
• Build a common understanding of opportunities identified current and future actions and relevant
to strengthen community health and wellbeing lead agencies. Data from this work is being
and the various roles that individuals, organisations utilised to develop an annual action plan to guide
and the wider community can play implementation of the plan.
• Identify evidence-based and achievable actions Forum three
• Encourage a whole-of-community commitment Approximately 30 participants considered the final
and identify opportunities for ongoing dialogue goals and objectives and framework for action,
and considered future governance for the Plan and
Strategy review coordination between agencies.
Over the last few years Council has engaged with Other
the community in developing a wide range of plans
and strategies including the: Other groups consulted about the Plan have
included:
• Community Access and Inclusion Plan 2015 -
2018 • Greater Bendigo Rural Support Network
• Community Plan 2017 - 2021 • Heathcote Community Capacity Builders Group
• Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2016 - 2019 • Parks Victoria
• Draft Public Space Strategy 2017 • Mental A-Z Network
• Draft Youth Strategy 2017 • Sustainability and Environment Advisory
Committee
• Greater Bendigo Environment Strategy
2016 - 2021 Staff
• Municipal Early Years Plan 2015 - 2018 A forum was held with approximately 25 City of
• Reconciliation Action Plan 2016 Greater Bendigo staff to consider the emerging
themes and priorities. Focus groups were held with
• Residential Strategy all City departments to share the emerging themes
• Rural Communities Strategy 2016 and seek further input. This was complemented with
an online and hard copy survey that was completed
Engagement reports from these were reviewed to
by 209 individuals.
identify issues and priorities relevant to the plan.
14Governance The various forms of engagement offered diverse
Internal working group opportunities for input both from the community
and from City staff as well as forums for building
An internal working group with membership from common understanding and commitment to agreed
across the organisation led the development of the priorities.
plan over six months. This included a workshop
addressing the health and wellbeing issues created Many of the organisations and networks that have
by climate change. This group will guide future participated in the development of this plan have
implementation of initiatives internally. their own community engagement activities that
engage with our vulnerable community members,
External project reference group which has allowed their voices to be reflected in the
An external project reference group was formed with plan.
membership including:
Stage two consultations: draft for community
• Bendigo Health comment
• Bendigo Community Health Services The draft plan was available for community
• Heathcote Health comment from August 16 to September 24, 2017.
Invitations to comment on the draft plan were sent
• Women’s Health Loddon Mallee
to all workshop attendees as well as others identified
• Bendigo Loddon Primary Care Partnership as having an interest in health and wellbeing. City
• Department of Health and Human Services staff attended regular meetings of a number of
groups such as the Sustainability and Environment
• Councillor, City Managers and Social Planners
Advisory group, the Farmers Advisory Group, the
This group provided input into the draft goals, Shamrock Cluster of Neighbourhood Houses,
objectives and framework for action and Bendigo Loddon Primary Care Partnership, Bendigo
governance, meeting twice during the development Community Health Services and staff meetings,
of the plan. All member agencies participated in the all of which provided feedback and comments to
forums. strengthen the plan.
Findings Key points raised at the meetings were:
Overall feedback from the community engagement • The need to include the LGBTIQ community in
process identified that the emerging themes ‘promote inclusive communities’
identified through earlier data analysis provided a • Remove ‘problem’ from gambling
comprehensive picture of the current and future
• The need for an Action Plan
health and wellbeing issues for the community.
• The need for alignment with the Human Rights
The only addition was the significant concern
Charter
regarding the increasing rates of mental illness in
the community, including suicide, depression and • The need for indicators/measures
anxiety. Review of the evidence for prevention of Formal submissions:
mental illness indicates that promoting inclusive
There was 19 formal submissions received, they
communities, building community resilience,
supported the plan, identified future actions and
preventing violence against women and children,
partnerships, and highlighted the need for an action
and reducing socio-economic disadvantage will
plan and measures.
work towards addressing this concern.
Greater Bendigo Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021 | 15Identifying our goals
The Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Principles
Outcomes Framework has been used to These will inform decision making and prioritisation
organise the goals and objectives for the plan. of actions
The outcomes framework brings together a Approaches
comprehensive set of indicators drawn from These are the recognised best practice approaches
multiple data sources that can help track whether in working to improve community health and
prevention efforts are improving the health and wellbeing at a community and/or whole-of-
wellbeing of Victorians over time. Use of the population level
framework will enable Council to benchmark
progress and outcomes achieved across Greater Focus
Bendigo with those achieved in other communities These are factors that need to be considered when
across Victoria. designing our interventions
Settings and environments
Victorian Health and Wellbeing Outcomes These are the places where interventions will be
Framework (Table 2): delivered
The goals and objectives for the plan are supported Enablers
by a Framework for Action. This includes the These are the key factors that will support the work
following:
(Table 2)
Domain 1: Victorians are healthy and Domain 4: Victorians are connected
well to culture and community
• Victorians have good physical health • Victorians are socially engaged and live in
• Victorians have good mental health inclusive communities
• Victorians act to protect and promote • Victorians can safely identify and connect
health with their culture and identity (indigenous)
Domain 2: Victorians are safe and Domain 3: Victoria is liveable
secure • Victorians belong to resilient and liveable
• Victorians live free from abuse and violence communities
• Victorians have suitable and stable housing • Victorians have access to sustainable built
and natural environments
Domain 3: Victorians have the
capabilities to participate
• Victorians participate in learning and
education
• Victorians participate in and contribute to
the economy
• Victorians have financial security
16Reduce harm from unhealthy behaviours
Goal 1: Healthy and well Tobacco
The Greater Bendigo community Tobacco usage remains one of the leading causes of
death and disease in Victoria. It is linked to coronary
has good physical and mental
heart disease, lung cancer and chronic obstructive
health supported by healthy pulmonary disease. In Greater Bendigo, 23.6 per
lifestyles. cent of adult males and 13 per cent of adult females
smoke.
Alcohol and drug use
Promote healthy lifestyles
Excessive alcohol and drug use can contribute to
Dietary risks are estimated to account for 10.55 the likelihood and frequency of being involved in
per cent of the total burden of disease in Australia, violence. In Greater Bendigo, 44.1 per cent of adults
followed by overweight and obesity (8.5 per cent). use alcohol at harmful levels.
Estimates suggest that the cost of obesity to health
care systems could reach up to 20 per cent of all Gambling
health care spending. In Greater Bendigo, 53.4 per Gambling is associated with mental and physical
cent of adults are overweight or obese. health issues. Poker machine expenditure is also
Healthy eating associated with increased crime rates, including
crimes of violence. For each problem gambler,
Healthy eating is vital for optimal growth, between five and 10 other people, including family
development and health throughout life and members, other relatives, friends, employers and
contributes to physical vitality, mental health and workmates may be affected. The average gambling
social wellbeing. In Greater Bendigo, 91.4 per cent spend for Greater Bendigo adults is approximately
of adults do not meet the guidelines for vegetable $576 per year.
intake and only 42.4 per cent meet the guidelines for
fruit intake.
Increase physical activity and decrease sedentary
behaviour
The health benefits of regular physical activity
Goal 2: Safe and secure
include improved physical health, reduced risk of The Greater Bendigo community
developing major chronic diseases, managing body lives free from violence and abuse,
weight and helping prevent and manage mental is protected from environmental
health problems. In Greater Bendigo, 52 per cent of
adults do not meet the guidelines for daily physical
risks and is supported to live
activity. affordably.
Promote positive mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing has been defined as ‘a state of Prevent violence against women and children
well-being in which every individual realises his
Women and children have the right to feel safe in
or her own potential, can cope with the normal
their home and in their relationship.
stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully,
and is able to make a contribution to her or his In Greater Bendigo there are high rates of family
community”. In Greater Bendigo, 8.7 per cent of violence incidents and violence against women
adults have indicated they experience high or very is still the leading cause of ill-health, disability and
high rates of psychological distress. premature death for women aged 15 to 44 years.
Improved sexual and reproductive health Increase community safety
Sexual health is an important element of health and Decrease crime and antisocial behaviour
wellbeing, requiring respect, safety and freedom Antisocial behaviour incorporates a range of
from discrimination and violence. It is critically behaviours from minor offensive or harmful acts, to
influenced by power dynamics, gender norms and more serious criminal activity. Antisocial behaviour
expectations, and is expressed through diverse can have a negative impact on community
sexualities (World Health Organization 2015c). The perceptions of safety and people’s quality of life.
pregnancy rate for women under 19 years is 18.9 Individuals who engage in antisocial behaviour
per 1,000 in Greater Bendigo, compared to 10.4 for risk becoming excluded from important support
Victoria. Rates of sexually transmitted infections are mechanisms such as school, their families and
also high.
Greater Bendigo Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021 | 17service providers. They also risk coming into
contact with the criminal justice system. There are Goal 3: Able to participate
approximately nine criminal offences per 100 adult
residents each year in Greater Bendigo. The Greater Bendigo community
Lead community-based emergency management has the capability to participate and
planning contribute to the local economy
The incidence of emergency incidents such as and community life.
bushfire, flood, pandemic and drought is increasing.
It is important that the community is prepared for
such events and has systems in place to support Support early years learning and development
relief and recovery. The early years of every child’s life are crucial for
Deliver health protection services their healthy growth, wellbeing and development
Health protection builds the capacity of people to throughout life. Early years learning and development
make healthy decisions, through increasing health lays the foundations for future stages of life and has a
literacy in early years, libraries, immunisations, food significant impact on future life experiences.
safety and environmental health services. The Australian Early Childhood Development Index
surveys indicate that 19.2 per cent of Greater Bendigo
Reduce socio-economic disadvantage by prep-aged children are vulnerable in one or more
increasing access to and affordability of: areas, whilst 11.8 per cent are vulnerable in two areas.
Nutritious food
Promote educational attainment
To be food secure means being able to regularly
buy nutritionally adequate, culturally acceptable, Education is associated with better health
safe foods from non-emergency sources like the throughout life. It equips people to achieve stable
supermarket or green grocer. People who cannot employment, have a secure home, provide for
do this or lack the knowledge and skills to make families and cope with ill health.
healthy and inexpensive meals, look to more readily Locally, 38.2 per cent have completed year 12. This
available and low nutritional options. This can result figure is used to predict positive health outcomes.
in poor health outcomes such as being overweight
or obese, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart Support inclusive employment
disease. Approximately 10 per cent of Greater Having secure employment affects many aspects of
Bendigo residents experience food insecurity. our lives. Aside from the obvious financial benefits
Diverse housing and the security this brings, employment brings
stability to relationships and families, opportunities
A good quality, secure home is important to our for personal growth, allows us to connect with
wellbeing. Appropriate housing helps us maintain other people and gives us greater choice when
a job, keep families safe, raise happy and healthy making decisions. Inclusive workplaces are
children, better enjoy the lifestyle we want and characterised by respect and where all individuals’
contribute to society in ways we would like. In unique perspectives, ideas and contributions are
Greater Bendigo, 10.3 per cent of households recognised and valued. A number of groups within
experience mortgage stress and 27.3 per cent the community have poorer employment outcomes.
experience rental stress. This means they spend
more than 30 per cent of their income on housing Improve health, financial and digital literacy
costs.
Literacy is an important determinant of health and
Energy wellbeing across the lifespan. Literacy used to
The cost of energy is rising, consuming a greater refer only to the ability to read and write, but the
proportion of household income, which is a concept has evolved to focus more broadly on a
significant issue for low income households. The person’s ability to understand and act on information
energy efficiency of a home is improved through that is needed to function well in society. Health,
good design and orientation. A more efficient home financial and digital literacy and the ability to access,
is more comfortable to live in and is cheaper to run understand, and utilise information in ways that
with reduced greenhouse gas emissions. promote good health and financial outcomes
are three domains of literacy that are particularly
Locally, energy use per occupied private dwellings is important in modern society. Lower levels of literacy
5.4 megawatts an hour. have been linked to poorer health outcomes and
economic disadvantage throughout life.
18Support positive ageing LGBTIQ community
Being healthy and active throughout life will assist The LGBTIQ community experiences higher rates
people to be healthy and independent as they age. of discrimination and social exclusion, particularly
Positive ageing implies people will continue to young people experience poorer physical and
participate and contribute socially and economically mental health outcomes within our community.
to the community as they age.
Build community resilience
Strengthen community participation and belonging
To live in a socially inclusive society means feeling
valued, respecting each other’s differences and
Goal 4: Connected to having our basic needs met so as we can live in
culture and community dignity. When we are socially connected we get
to interact with others in the community and have
The Greater Bendigo community is the opportunity to make decisions together and in
socially engaged and inclusive and each other’s best interests. This provides a sense
is a place where people can safely of belonging, which is an important part of having
identify and connect with their good health and wellbeing. In Greater Bendigo, 75
per cent of residents feel part of the community.
culture and identity.
Increase social connection and reduce loneliness
Despite Greater Bendigo being a vibrant place that
offers a wide range of opportunities for socialising,
Support inclusive communities by valuing dining, playing and attending sport or artistic events,
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people some people are isolated, they don’t mix with other
people or they say they are lonely. Minority groups,
Indigenous people experience significantly poorer including people living with a disability or mental
health outcomes than the general community. On illness, or people from cultural groups that differ
average, they live 10 years less than non-indigenous from the majority sometimes find it especially hard
people. Indigenous health means not just the to feel they belong in our community.
physical wellbeing of an individual but refers to
the social, emotional and cultural wellbeing of the
whole community in which each individual is able
to achieve their full potential as a human being
thereby bringing about the total wellbeing of their
community. In Greater Bendigo, 1.7 per cent of the
community are Aboriginal.
Cultural diversity and safety
It is important that all residents, regardless of their
cultural background, can equally participate in
community life, live free from discrimination, and
fulfil their cultural and religious human rights. Whilst
the proportion of Greater Bendigo residents who
were born overseas is low compared with other
parts of Victoria, this is rapidly changing. Cultural
safety is achieved through mutual respect for
another’s worldview and development of shared
understanding about social and cultural practices.
People with a disability
People with a disability experience much poorer
health outcomes than members of the general
community, so require a special focus within the
health and wellbeing plan. More than 5.5 per cent
of the Greater Bendigo community need assistance
with core tasks and it is estimated that another 14.5
per cent have some form of disability that impacts
on how they move around the municipality, access
information and/or interact with other community
members.
19Improve accessibility
Health and community services
Provision of and access to conveniently located
health and community services and information
are important for people to maintain a healthy life.
These services are provided by a wide range of
organisations across Greater Bendigo, however they
Goal 5: Liveable do tend to be clustered in the urban areas making
accessibility more difficult for residents living in rural
The Greater Bendigo community areas.
is adaptable and resilient and has Transport
access to sustainable natural, built,
Access to transport is important to people’s health
social and economic environments and wellbeing and their ability to participate in
that support and enhance health society. Diverse transport options are required in
and wellbeing. diverse communities like Greater Bendigo. Modes
of transport like walking, riding, catching the bus
or train can significantly improve our health and
wellbeing, and can improve the environment and
Promote environmental sustainability and road safety. Affordable and accessible transport
resilience to a changing climate options are particularly important for young people,
Protection and connection to natural environments the elderly, people with a disability and people on
- Connection to nature underpins our communities, low incomes.
providing us with places (and things) to explore, learn Technology and information
from and enjoy. Our wellbeing, creativity, health
Technology and information provide connection
and intelligence are increased through connection
with friends and family and sharing of information.
to the natural world. People who connect with the
Access to technology and information are not evenly
natural world are more likely to be advocates for our
distributed across Greater Bendigo, with availability
environment. The importance of our parks and open
and cost preventing some in the community from
space was a consistent message received through
accessing it.
the community engagement process.
Environmental sustainability – Rapid transition to Facilitate supportive built and natural environments
renewable energy and low emissions food and Where we live has the potential to improve or reduce
transport systems will help mitigate the impacts of our quality of life. The design of streets, access to
climate change. local shopping and recreation facilities, shade and
Resilience and adaptation to climate change - Being footpaths can make a place appealing and healthier
prepared for disasters and emergencies is part of to live in. Similarly, standard features in housing
being resilient to climate change, especially for rural design can make a home more comfortable and less
communities. expensive to live in.
20Framework for action
In developing the new plan, it became apparent that we needed a framework for action to ensure that our
initiatives were evidence-based and targeted appropriately. The framework includes the following:
Our principles Our settings and environments
• Equity and fairness • Whole-of-population
• Accessibility • Rural communities
• Policy alignment • Public space
• Community engagement • Schools (including Early Years)
• Evidence informed • Arts and culture
• Evaluation • Sport and active recreation
Our approach • Workplaces
• Place-based • Health and community services
• Co-design environments for health Our enablers
• Health in all policies • Shared leadership and strategic thinking
• Asset-based community development • Community groups and organisations
• Systems thinking • Financing and resource allocation
• Collective impact • Media and communications
Our focus • Learning and development
• Children and young people A glossary of terms and accompanying references
is available on the City’s website -
• Older residents www.bendigo.vic.gov.au
• Disabled residents
• Gender equity
• Socio-economic disadvantage
• Cultural diversity
• Climate change impact
Greater Bendigo Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021 | 21Evaluation
Evaluation is concerned with demonstrating Legislative considerations
accountability for the investment of resources Public Health and Wellbeing Act s. 26 requirements:
in health and wellbeing action and with learning (2)(c) provide for the involvement of people
more about what does and does not work. This in the local community in the development,
information can be used to guide future investment implementation and evaluation of the public health
in health and wellbeing action and provides an and wellbeing plan;
opportunity to report achievements and to share and
celebrate successes. As part of the implementation of the plan and
meeting the requirements of the Act, an Evaluation
Evaluation is most effective when designed early Strategy will be developed to answer the following
in the planning cycle. This allows information questions (Table 3):
collection and other evaluation tasks to be designed
and carried out throughout the life of the plan,
leading to a final evaluation to inform the next
planning cycle.
(Table 3)
Outcome Impact Process Planning
evaluation evaluation evaluation evaluation
Have we done what Are we having the Have we achieved What worked well
we said we would? influence intended? the change we and what needs
What difference have sought? improvement?
we made? Have we done what How will we know
we said we would what’s worked and
do? not worked?
• Select health and •S
elect policies, • Preparation of an • Select topics for
wellbeing evidence programs or annual action plan evaluation over the
activities for and report annually plan cycles
evaluation over the to the community
plan cycles
22Governance
Improving health and wellbeing is a shared Other contributors to health and wellbeing:
responsibility across all levels of society and is • Bendigo Loddon Primary Care Partnership
beyond the scope of one agency or level of
government. Managing or solving complex public • Bendigo Sustainability Group
health challenges requires broad, collaborative and • Centre for Non-Violence
innovative approaches that may demand societal- • Communities for Children
level change.
• Conservation Volunteers Australia
A number of existing networks and governance
groups exist that align with the goals within the plan. • Department of Health and Human Services
These include but are not limited to: • Disability and Inclusion Advisory Group
• Bendigo Loddon Primary Care Partnership • GREATER
• Communities for Children • Greater Bendigo Cultural Diversity and Inclusion
• Community Safety Committee Plan Governance Group
• Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Plan Governance • Greater Bendigo Principals Council
Group • Heathcote Health
• Disability Access and Inclusion Governance Group • Loddon Campaspe Centre Against Sexual Assault
• First Quarter • Loddon Children and Youth Area Partnership
• GREATER • Loddon Mallee Prevention of Violence against
• Loddon Mallee Prevention of Violence against Women Stewardship Group
Women Stewardship Group • Marong Neighbourhood House
• Reconciliation Action Plan Governance Group • Mental AZ
• Sustainability and Environment Advisory • Northern Cluster Emergency Management Group
Committee
• Parks Victoria
Rather than create another group, twice yearly
• Positive Ageing Advisory Group
forums will be held to share the outcomes of
initiatives, identify opportunities for crossover of • Rural Challenge Project
work and discuss new and emerging issues. These • Rural Communities Advisory Group
forums will also undertake the annual review of the
• Rural Farmers Advisory Group
plan.
• Safe Community Forum
• Shamrock Cluster of Neighbourhood Houses
(six houses)
• The National Centre for Farmer Health
• Women’s Health Loddon Mallee
Greater Bendigo Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021 | 23Want to read this document in an alternative format?
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