Health and Planning in Wollondilly
Design Feature
Type of project
Local Government Initiative
State
New South Wales
Location
Urban
The Local Government Area (LGA) of Wollondilly, in south-western Sydney, will undergo significant population and housing growth over the next 20 to 30 years. The town of Wilton, within the Wollondilly LGA, has been earmarked to accommodate much of the growth through the Wilton Junction Master Plan (2014); the plan provides for a population increase of more than 35,000 people. A Health Impact Assessment of this Master Plan became the catalyst for an innovative working partnership between Wollondilly Shire Council and the South Western Sydney Local Health District.
A council-wide appreciation of health-based planning
In 2014, the Wollondilly Shire Council participated in the _Health Impact Assessment Learning by Doing_ program run by the Centre for Health Equity Training, Research and Evaluation (CHETRE), an organisational collaboration between the South Western Sydney Local Health District and the University of New South Wales. The council’s focus for this Health Impact Assessment was the Wilton Junction Master Plan. This work enabled council and Local Health District staff to enhance their shared interest in healthy built environment outcomes. This grew into a working relationship focused on research and policy development to build health considerations into land-use planning.
Towards the completion of the Wilton Junction Health Impact Assessment, the Local Health District approached Council with a focus on incorporating health considerations into council planning. This led to the creation of a jointly funded health-in-planning position between Council and the Local Health District.
The aim of the position was to better understand the opportunities for land-use planning and place-making that could deliver health and wellbeing outcomes in Wollondilly. The Health in Planning Group subsequently engaged CHETRE to undertake research on integrating health into Council’s planning processes. [1]
The new role, a Senior Strategic Health Planner, commenced in January 2019. The position is based in the Planning team at the Council and spends one day per week in the Healthy Places Team (Population Health) at the Local Health District. A similar position also exists in other councils within the Local Health District, including Fairfield and Campbelltown City Councils.
The relationship between Council and the Local Health District has created unique opportunities to place health at the core of urban and regional planning in Wollondilly. The partnership offers a clear example of how multi-sectoral collaboration can improve commitment to health-based planning outcomes.
The aim of the position was to better understand the opportunities for land-use planning and place-making that could deliver health and wellbeing outcomes in Wollondilly. The Health in Planning Group subsequently engaged CHETRE to undertake research on integrating health into Council’s planning processes. [1]
The new role, a Senior Strategic Health Planner, commenced in January 2019. The position is based in the Planning team at the Council and spends one day per week in the Healthy Places Team (Population Health) at the Local Health District. A similar position also exists in other councils within the Local Health District, including Fairfield and Campbelltown City Councils.
The relationship between Council and the Local Health District has created unique opportunities to place health at the core of urban and regional planning in Wollondilly. The partnership offers a clear example of how multi-sectoral collaboration can improve commitment to health-based planning outcomes.
Towards the completion of the Wilton Junction Health Impact Assessment, the Local Health District approached Council with a focus on incorporating health considerations into council planning. This led to the creation of a jointly funded health-in-planning position between Council and the Local Health District.
The aim of the position was to better understand the opportunities for land-use planning and place-making that could deliver health and wellbeing outcomes in Wollondilly. The Health in Planning Group subsequently engaged CHETRE to undertake research on integrating health into Council’s planning processes. [1]
The new role, a Senior Strategic Health Planner, commenced in January 2019. The position is based in the Planning team at the Council and spends one day per week in the Healthy Places Team (Population Health) at the Local Health District. A similar position also exists in other councils within the Local Health District, including Fairfield and Campbelltown City Councils.
The relationship between Council and the Local Health District has created unique opportunities to place health at the core of urban and regional planning in Wollondilly. The partnership offers a clear example of how multi-sectoral collaboration can improve commitment to health-based planning outcomes.
The aim of the position was to better understand the opportunities for land-use planning and place-making that could deliver health and wellbeing outcomes in Wollondilly. The Health in Planning Group subsequently engaged CHETRE to undertake research on integrating health into Council’s planning processes. [1]
The new role, a Senior Strategic Health Planner, commenced in January 2019. The position is based in the Planning team at the Council and spends one day per week in the Healthy Places Team (Population Health) at the Local Health District. A similar position also exists in other councils within the Local Health District, including Fairfield and Campbelltown City Councils.
The relationship between Council and the Local Health District has created unique opportunities to place health at the core of urban and regional planning in Wollondilly. The partnership offers a clear example of how multi-sectoral collaboration can improve commitment to health-based planning outcomes.
Project team
- Wollondilly Shire Council
- South Western Sydney Local Health District
- Centre for Health Equity Training, Research and Evaluation
Project Cost
Unavailable
Health Value
The partnership between Council and the Local Health District supports the following opportunities:
- Transport infrastructure that encourages active transport (walking and cycling),and better public transport serving Wollondilly and surrounds.
- Access to healthcare via more local health services, programs and facilities.
- Access to nature and open space by improving connections to allow people to enjoy these spaces and physical activity.
- Access to healthy food systems that make it easier for local residents and workers to make healthy choices.
Economic value
- The partnership supports opportunities for improved education outcomes, employment and income through equitable access to more education facilities and jobs within the Shire, and better connections to surrounding areas.
Environmental Value
- The partnership prioritises the protection of natural environments, such as public open space; promotes equitable access to clean air, water and food, sanitation in homes and shared spaces; and protection from extreme weather conditions.
Social value
- The partnership advocates for building places that create opportunities for planned and unplanned social interaction with friends and strangers, which support community engagement and build social capital.
Use value
- The partnership developed between Council and the Local Health District has progressed a variety of health-based planning opportunities that support the physical, mental and social wellbeing of the community.
References
1. Crimeen et al., 2018; Hirono et al., 2017 2. Hirono et al., 2017 Crimeen, A., Jaques, K., Haigh, K., Health Assessment Protocol for Wollondilly Shire Council: Project Report. Centre for Health Equity Training, Research and Evaluation, UNSW, Sydney, 2018 Hirono, K., Evaluation of the Health Impact Assessment Learning by Doing Training, Centre for Health Equity Training, Research and Evaluation, UNSW, Sydney, 2015. https://www.swslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/populationhealth/PH\_environments/pdf/Rpt\_Learning\_by\_Doing\_Evaluation.pdf Hirono, K., Haigh, F., Jaques, K., Crimeen, A. Integrating Health Considerations into Wollondilly Shire Council Planning Processes, Centre for Health Equity Training Research and Evaluation, UNSW, Sydney, 2017. http://hiaconnect.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Wollondilly-Health-Integration-Report\_Final.pdf NSW Department of Health Healthy Urban Development Checklist Wilton Junction Masterplan Wollondilly Shire Council Wilton Junction Masterplan – Council Resolution Wollondilly Shire Council Delivery Program and Operational Plan
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