The draft Mount Gambier City Council Regional Public Health Plan 2021-2026 is now open for public consultation. The plan has been developed in accordance with the South Australian Public Health Act 2011 and outlines how council will address key public health issues within the city.

Under the Act, council is delegated functions to take action to promote, protect, prevent and progress public health within its area. Council’s Acting Chief Executive Barbara Cernovskis said the draft plan had been developed to align with the State Public Health Plan 2019-2024 and highlights 12 focus areas for the local community which council will endeavour to target throughout the life of the five-year plan.

The focus areas include poor nutrition and diet, obesity and overweight, physical inactivity, potentially avoidable hospital admissions, degenerative and mobility for the aged, substance abuse (tobacco, illicit drugs and alcohol), mental health, suicide prevention, domestic violence, delayed early childhood development, environmental sustainability and accessibility – disability access and inclusion.

“The priority areas acknowledged in this draft plan specifically affect residents of our community and have been identified using statistical research and local knowledge of the population profile, burden of disease and social determinants of health in the community,” Ms Cernovskis said.

“Council will work to create and maintain strong partnerships with relevant local and state stakeholders to implement the actions outlined within the plan. “Council is committed to developing and sustaining partnerships with our local community, the business sector, tiers of government and their agencies and non-government organisations, to secure high quality public health for our community.”

Ms Cernovskis said council endorsed the draft plan for community consultation at its December 2020 council meeting and received consent from South Australian Health and Wellbeing Minister Stephen Wade to proceed with public consultation last week. “Council wants to hear your feedback on this important document, and I invite you to contribute your thoughts through the Have Your Say Mount Gambier portal,” she said.

Visit www.haveyoursaymountgambier.com.au to view the plan.

Copies of the plan are also available from the council office, Library, Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre and Visitor Information Centre.

The public consultation period closes on Friday, March 5.