Townsville City Council Healthy City Plan

One of the commitments in the Policy 2000 document was to undertake an assessment of Public Health service provision and associated infrastructure in Townsville. This assessment, referred to as Healthy Cities is being coordinated by TCC Environmental Health with assistance from TCC Community Services.

Healthy Cities addresses the extent to which community needs in the provision of health care are being met in Townsville. In order to answer this question, Council, in conjunction with Griffith University, are undertaking extensive consultation with Government, Community and business groups in Townsville.

These discussions are coordinated through 'focus groups'. Focus groups have included a range of specific issues some of which include the elderly, youth, women, disability, mental health, and ethnic groups. Consultation has also extended to the Have Your Say Group, a established point of reference for Council on Community views.

One outcome of the process is a Gap Analysis, an assessment of the gaps or holes in the provision of health services.

Assisting in the development of the plan are Griffith University (GU). GU has experience in developing Healthy City plans, having assisted numerous Queensland Local Authorities in planning the provision of health services.

Consultations on the plan have been underway over the past twelve months. A draft plan is anticipated around June 2003, with the final report sometime thereafter.

Full Healthy Cities Plan Document (.pdf - 1.5MB!)

Foreword

Introduction and Background

The Process of Developing the Plan

Setting up a Structure for Managing the Project and
Assessing Community Health Needs

Selecting Priority Issues for Action, Writing the Plan,
Coordinating the Implementation, Monitoring & Review of the Plan

Acknowledgments

Definitions of Acronyms

To date four main themes have emerged under which are sub-themes. These include:

Visit Council's Healthy Cities Plan - Environmental Health TCC

Healthy Lifestyles: healthy physical activity, nutrition and body weight, sun safety, disease prevention.

Theme 1 - Healthy Lifestyles:

1.1 Substance Abuse

1.2 Active Living

1.3 Sun Safety

1.4 Nutrition

1.5 National Health Priorities

1.6 Communicable Disease

1.7 Vector Borne Disease

1.8 Relationships and Sexual Health

1.9 Sustainable Transport

1.10 Bikeways, Walkways and Public Exercise Facilities

Healthy Environment: environmental protection, landuse, vector control, animal control, control of nuisances, parks and public areas, safe communities.

Theme 2 - Healthy Environments:

2.1 Sustainable Planning

2.2 Environmental Management

2.3 Community Environmental care

2.4 Community Open Spaces

2.6 Wild Dog/Dingo Control

2.7 Cat Management (Domestic and Feral)

2.8 Safe Communities

Healthy Communities: hospital and medical needs, special needs, families.

Theme 3 - Healthy Communities:

3.1 Hospital Discharge Planning

3.2 Supportive Accomodation for People with Mental Illness

3.3 Men's Health Services

3.4 Social Isolation

3.5 Resilient Families

3.6 Special Needs

Healthy Partnerships: community building, collaboration and coordination.

Theme 4 - Healthy Partnerships:

4.1 Agency Partnerships

4.2 Community Building

4.3 Implementation of the Townsville Healthy City Plan

Community workshops will continue to refine the scope of the Healthy Cities plan. However, what is becoming apparent is that Townsville community continues to associate health issues with the protection of the environment. Important components of environmental health, then, are such issues as stormwater management, water quality, biodiversity protection and other green issues.

Townsville State of Environment Working in Partnership with the Community Towards Sustainability

For information contact
TCC Environmental Management Services 47279310