The newly adopted Health and Wellbeing Strategy document for 2025-2029 was endorsed at the council Meeting on 14 October.
“This strategy is more than a document, it’s a commitment to creating a community where everyone feels safe, supported and empowered to live well,” Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child said.
Yarra Ranges Council’s role in the community’s health and wellbeing is to plan, fund, and partner with community groups and service providers, provide some health-related services and advocate to other levels of government.
The document breaks down key demographics and statistics of concern to the health and wellbeing of people in the area. Consultations were done in two rounds, one from November to December in 2024 and one in July to August in 2025.
Main issues as reported by community health services were the need for healthy eating, adapting to the health impacts of climate change, family violence, alcohol and other drugs and hospital usage and access.
The motion to endorse the strategic document was carried unanimously and prioritised increasing community adaptation to climate-related health risks, improving mental wellbeing, supporting the community to lead healthy lives and towards creating safer and more inclusive communities.
It also addressed social determinants of health and acknowledged that factors like affordable housing, food security, and local job opportunities directly impact health and wellbeing.
The following is a snapshot of some of the information presented in the document.
Focus area one was on increasing community adaptation to climate-related health risks, as climate change impacts a person’s health both directly and indirectly, and the Yarra Ranges has been reported as having the highest bushfire risk in the country.
It is the second-highest risk level in Melbourne for properties at medium to high risk of being affected by climate change, and ranks third in Victoria for storm hotspots.
Community services anticipate climate-related disasters and extreme weather events to increase future demand. There were more than 450 hospital admissions for heat stroke among Yarra Ranges residents in 2022/23.
Poor mental health and loneliness were another focus, with more than one in five adults reporting as lonely and 26 per cent of adults reporting high or very high psychological distress – the third highest level in the state. Mental health hospital admissions have risen by 40 per cent among 15-24 year olds in the Yarra Ranges, a troubling statistic.
The health plan flagged that Yarra Ranges does not have enough local referral and treatment services, such as general practitioners and psychiatrists. Being unable to access these vital services can worsen conditions.
Avoidable deaths amongst men aged under 75 have been reported as on the rise, and the rates were relatively high for heart and lung disease, accidental falls, some cancers, influenza and pneumonia.
Lastly, the plan outlined a strategy for creating safety and inclusivity for all and working with the community on the prevention of violence. Yarra Ranges data shows that women and girls are disproportionately affected by family violence, and over the past four years, there has been a sharp rise in older victims, those aged 55 and over. There were standout changes in the age of perpetrators – the number of perpetrators aged over 55 more than doubled (up 103 per cent), while those aged zero-17 increased by 72 per cent.
Most victims of family violence were female, and most perpetrators were male. The family violence rate was reported as below average, at 1224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 1366 in Victoria for the year to September 2022/23. Community has also expressed a desire for safe, inclusive spaces for young people, women, LGBTIQA+ residents, and other groups in the community.
People can view the Health and Wellbeing Strategy on the Yarra Ranges Council website, or read a copy in person at any of the Community Links.
