Kiama Health Plan

The foundations for the health promotion program implemented by Council are drawn from the Kiama Health Plans - 2001-2004 and 2005-2008. In June 2011 the Kiama Health Plan 2011-2017 “Creating Environments for Health and Sustainable Living” was released. This Plan, like previous Health Plans, is principally designed to influence how sections of Council can work together to develop a healthier community within the Municipality.

Local Government has always been considered the level of government closest to the people and it has a lead role in community building. Local Government also has an important role in designing and developing the type of local environments that support and enhance health and wellbeing. Council sees the health of the local community as a shared responsibility in which they have a vital role to play.

The Kiama Health Plan 2011-2017 is primarily focused on strategies to promote health and wellbeing and disease prevention. The Plan identifies strategies to address priority issues. The Plan is divided into 4 sections, each including a number of priority issues. These are:

Strengthening Community

Priority: Community Connections
Priority: Information Provision
Priority: Partnerships
Priority: Funding and Service Provision

Supportive Social Environment for Health

Priority: Regulatory Functions and Public Health
Priority: Food and Nutrition
Priority: Physical Activity
Priority: Cancer Prevention and Awareness
Priority: Community Safety

Health Economy

Priority: Healthy Economy

Health of our Environment

Priority: Regulatory and Statutory
Priority: Natural Environment
Priority: Built Environment
Priority: Council Facilities and Operations
Priority: Transport
Priority: Waste Management

Through these programs, Kiama was recognised as a World Health Organisation (WHO) Healthy City in August 2008.

Management of the Health Plan

The implementation of the Health Plan is overseen by the Kiama Health and Sustainability Committee. The Committee consists of Council staff, Councillors and community representatives to ensure a coordinated, community based approach to the development, implementation and evaluation of initiatives.

Health & Sustainability Advisory Committee

Kiama Health and Sustainability Advisory Committee was formed in 2008 (then called the Sustainable Kiama Communities Project) to provide a mechanism for community participation in council planning, project delivery and decision-making via a consultative process around Health and Sustainability issues in the Kiama LGA.

Council has now reviewed the membership of this committee and nominations are invited from individuals for its consideration. If you are interested in joining the committee but want to know more about the committee, please feel free to call Nick Guggisberg (Manager Community & Cultural Development) on 42 32 0433, or download the application forms and submit as outlined.

Summary of Achievements

In developing this Health Plan 2011-2017, Council wants to build on the successes of previous Plans. Since its initiation in 1997, through a partnership with Healthy Cities Illawarra, Kiama Council has been recognised nationally and internationally for its Health Planning and programs. These achievements include:

the First Health Plan developed 1998-1999
Heart Foundation Local Government Award 1998 for Outstanding Policy for Structural Change. This was awarded for the first health Plan development
3 year funding for a project officer and program implementation NSW. Safe Communities program 2000-2003
gold medal winner of the 2004 NSW Sports Safety Awards – Outstanding Education and Promotion Project or Program In The Field Of Sports Injury And Prevention Reduction
Plan was presented at the 2005 Mayor’s Roundtable Conference Taiwan
the Second Health Plan developed 2005-2008
the second Health Plan was awarded the national winner of the Heart Foundation 2005 Local Government Awards – National Policy of a Healthy Communities
Kiama hosted the inaugural Healthy Cities Alliance Australian Chapter National Forum and Meeting, May 2008
in June 2008, Mayor Councillor Sandra McCarthy represented the Australian Healthy Cities Alliance in Singapore at the World Cities Summit
Kiama Council was recognised as a WHO Healthy City in August 2008
in November 2008 Kiama Council was invited to the International Mayors Forum in Hangzhou China to give a presentation on Kiama’s Healthy Cities Program
in 2009 and 2010, Kiama Council hosted delegates from Hangzhou City, China to showcase local Healthy Cities initiatives
in 2010 and 2011, Kiama Council hosted delegates from Muju County South Korea to showcase local Kiama Healthy Cities Program/Health Plan Initiatives
opening of the Coastal Walking Track from Werri Beach to Kiama Heights in 2009

Feedback

The Health Plan is designed to improve the health and wellbeing of the community and to protect and enhance the environment. It is vital that the plan reflects and responds to needs, to do this it must be flexible and dynamic. We invite you to provide feedback and suggestions for the continual progression of the Plan.