​The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has applauded the Government’s creation of an exciting new partnership with councils to develop local health promotion solutions that tackle chronic disease through schools, workplaces and in the community.

Cr Bill McArthur, MAV President said the innovative Prevention Community Model would build on existing partnerships councils have with local community health services, businesses and early childhood programs.

“Local government has ongoing obligations to improve public health and wellbeing within their municipality. Councils are ideally placed to lead the development of programs that respond to local challenges and reduce preventable diseases such as obesity.

“The prevalence of chronic disease has proven links to other health worries such as diabetes, heart disease and osteoarthritis. To address this we really need to tackle the underlying causes such as smoking, poor nutrition, alcohol misuse, social isolation and a lack of physical activity.

“Councils are responsible for delivering many local programs and decisions that can achieve healthier lifestyles. This includes policy responses that create and promote healthy transport options, opportunities for recreation and cultural activities, as well as safe public places to meet, learn and socialise,” he said.

Under the Prevention Community Model, 14 Victorian councils will work with community health services and 40 communities over four years to deliver local prevention programs.

The twelve local prevention areas identified by the Victorian Government according to need are Bendigo; Cardinia; Dandenong; Geelong; Hume; Knox; Latrobe; Mildura; Whittlesea; Wodonga; Wyndham; and the area covering Central Goldfields, Pyrenees and Ararat municipalities.

Cr McArthur said a community-led model provided the means to design and deliver tailored solutions to permanently slow the growth of chronic disease, and support healthy choices for local communities, workers and families.

“Not all communities are the same. Councils can help to improve people’s lifestyle choices through specific infrastructure, housing and urban planning decisions that respond to local challenges, as well as tailored services and partnerships with community groups and health agencies.

“This can be as diverse as local walking groups, cooking classes, improved cycling paths, access to healthy lifestyle information, youth programs, recreation and social participation activities.

“While individually these may seem like simple solutions, the sum of these prevention initiatives needs to be well researched, planned and coordinated to be effective.

“Local government is looking forward to being a part of this exciting opportunity to reduce chronic disease, and to concentrate prevention efforts early in life to stop or delay its onset.

“We welcome the Australian and Victorian governments’ confidence in councils to lead this joint investment in the innovative Prevention Community Model,” he said.

- Ends -