The strategy for the health and wellbeing of the people of the Yarra Ranges was passed through local government this week.
The newly adopted Health and Wellbeing Strategy document for 2025-2029 was endorsed at the council Meeting on 14 October.
Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child said the updated strategy acknowledges the new and growing challenges facing the Yarra Ranges community, and the council’s role in addressing them.
“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,” Cr 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 health strategy document also breaks down key demographics and statistics of concern to the health and wellbeing of people in the area. Consultations for the endorsed documents 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.
With a plan focusing on mental health, physical activity, social connection and safety, 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 amongst Yarra Ranges residents in 2022/23, and Yarra Ranges has the second-highest level of assistance-seeking from national disaster recovery funding.
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 amongst 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.
Increasing the community’s ability to lead healthy lives was listed as a focus area to combat an overall increase in chronic health issues.
Avoidable deaths amongst men aged less than 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 has 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 0-17 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.
Each area of the plan has its own goals and actions that Yarra Ranges Council will work towards over the next four years. This article is a focused look at a larger document, which works in tandem with others like the Yarra Ranges Annual Plan and others.
People can view the Health and Wellbeing Strategy on the Yarra Ranges Council website, or read a copy in person at any of their Community Links.
