FOLLOWING region wide community and stakeholder engagement the 2022-26 Regional Public Health and Wellbeing Plan for the Murraylands and Riverland region is now in operation.
The Plan was developed by the Murraylands and Riverland Local Government Association (MRLGA) and the region’s eight constituent councils: Coorong District Council; the Rural City of Murray Bridge; District Council of Karoonda East Murray; Southern Mallee District Council; Mid Murray Council; Renmark Paringa Council; Berri Barmera Council and the District Council of Loxton Waikerie.
The Plan outlines the goals Councils will work towards together and the actions each council will deliver to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for communities within the region.
Key focus areas of the plan include:
- Building community wellbeing and resilience
- Increasing healthy choices
- Preparing for climate change and planning for emergency; and
- Sustaining environmental and public health.
Development of the Plan included assessment of public health indicators for the region, workshops with councils and local stakeholders to identify regional issues and strengths, and region wide community engagement using targeted and online feedback opportunities.
Rural City of Murray Bridge Mayor Brenton Lewis said the overarching Plan would provide a valuable framework for sharing information and resources in the region, across disciplines and areas of need.
“Together we are stronger and formalising a forum for regional collaboration will benefit the health and wellbeing of us all moving forward,” he said.
“Access to broader expertise and resources when required, as well as being able to contribute where we can to help others, will enable us all to respond more effectively to regional challenges, such as the recent Japanese Encephalitis outbreak, when they arise.”
The Murraylands and Riverland Regional Public Health and Wellbeing Plan can be viewed on Council’s website and on the MRLGA website at lga.sa.gov.au/murraylands-and-riverland-lga/corporate/regional-public-health-plan