Local Government health and ageing projects win national awards
Three local councils, in WA, Vic and NSW, have been recognised in the 2006 National Awards for Local Government.
In the ‘Health and Well Being Category’, Rockingham City Council in WA was the overall winner while Swan Hill Rural City Council in Vic won the small or rural council award
The Swan Hill project focused on meeting its community’s needs for better understanding on depression and mental illness, to address the growing suicide rate.
The Rockingham Council’s project aimed to improve local health and wellbeing through development and implementation of a long term strategic health framework.
The Award for ‘Planning for an Ageing Community’ went to Lake Macquarie City Council in NSW for its project ‘Over 55 and Understood’ which researched older people’s preferences for goods and services and informed local businesses of this potential market. Lake Macquarie’s population aged 55 or more is expected to increase from 25% to 39% of the total population between now and 2022.
These Awards are sponsored by the Department of Health and Ageing and administered by the Department of Transport and Regional Services.
