3. A healthy community

As a city for people, Melbourne will make health a priority. Improving the physical and mental health of our people is important, and we will give particular attention to those in our city who are disadvantaged and vulnerable.

Local government is in an ideal position to improve the health and wellbeing of people, playing a broad role in health promotion, city planning, leadership, advocacy and service delivery. The City of Melbourne has set a target of ensuring a range of appropriate services, amenities, public spaces and parkland are located within the easy reach (that is, within 400 metres) of all city residents.

In Melbourne, we are focused on increasing ‘active living’ within the city, for residents, workers and others, including physical, intellectual and social activities, all of which contribute to our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

Our health is determined by many things, including: our socio-economic status; the quality of our physical environment; our access to health-related services and facilities; and the opportunities we have to engage in physical activity and social interaction. Preventative health also important, particularly for families and children, and for people of multicultural and Indigenous backgrounds.

We need to ensure our services continue at levels appropriate to our population, and that our services match the needs of a population with changing demographics. Neighbourhoods throughout the municipality need to provide a level of amenity conducive to a healthy residential life. For those living in the central city, we must find a balanced approach to noise management (accommodating the needs of residents and other city users) to prevent noise becoming a significant health problem. Cleanliness is also an important component of a healthy city.

We also need to ensure our residents will take responsibility for their own health by increasing the quality and number of pedestrians and cycling links in the municipality and by promoting healthy living and the benefits of reducing tobacco, alcohol and drug use. Indigenous Victorians will be a special focus as they do not enjoy the same levels of health and wellbeing as the general population. Improving the health of young Indigenous people is a particular priority.

Goals	Indicators	Outcomes
A healthy city environment To promote a healthy (physical and mental) community through a healthy municipal environment.	City users rating of the cleanliness of the municipality. Current: Indicator to be developed.	A reduction in environmental factors that are detrimental to health. A municipality that is clean, not too noisy, provides shade and encourages activity and social connection.
Preventative health Preventative health measures to support communities to reduce obesity, smoking, alcohol and drug use as well as improve diet and exercise.	Fresh food consumption, burden of disease, smoking rates, immunisation rates obesity statistics, drug addiction and alcohol use. Target: to be developed Current: Indicator to be developed. also refer to American Cities Fitness index for indicator model to rank capital cities	Improved mental and physical health and better quality of life for all. Reduced health care costs. A healthy municipality.
Community involvement and participation Increased ability to be involved in the community, in activities and decision making. An environment that fosters robust community debate.	Community Connection Index. Current: Community Connection score for persons living in the City of Melbourne was 65 out of a potential 100 in 2007¹ Percentage of residents that are part of a community group or local club. Current: Indicator to be developed. Participation or citizen engagement. Current In 2007, 47 per cent of City of Melbourne residents had attended a town meeting or public hearing, met, called or written to a local politician, or joined a protest or signed a petition in the previous year.²	A sense of community supports an increase in social connectivity, belonging and community health (mental and physical) and wellbeing. A balance between lifestyle and economic prosperity exists.
Physical activity and social interaction Public and private space that is accessible to all and designed to encourage physical movement, communal exercising and social interaction.	Residents perception of the appearance of public areas. Current: In 2007, the City of Melbourne received an indexed value of 74 out of a potential 100 for community satisfaction of Public Areas. ³	A municipality designed to promote mental and physical wellbeing. Public spaces such as parks, plazas, roads and paths are designed to foster physical activity, social interaction, connections to the natural environment and quiet, reflective spaces. New private spaces provide for community needs.

Goals

Indicators

Outcomes

A healthy city environment

To promote a healthy (physical and mental) community through a healthy municipal environment.

City users rating of the cleanliness of the municipality. Current: Indicator to be developed.

A reduction in environmental factors that are detrimental to health.

A municipality that is clean, not too noisy, provides shade and encourages activity and social connection.

Preventative health

Preventative health measures to support communities to reduce obesity, smoking, alcohol and drug use as well as improve diet and exercise.

Fresh food consumption, burden of disease, smoking rates, immunisation rates
obesity statistics, drug addiction and alcohol use.

Target: to be developed

Current: Indicator to be developed.

also refer to American Cities Fitness index for indicator model to rank capital cities

Improved mental and physical health and better quality of life for all.

Reduced health care costs.

A healthy municipality.

Community involvement and participation

Increased ability to be involved in the community, in activities and decision making. An environment that fosters robust community debate.

Community Connection Index. Current: Community Connection score for persons living in the City of Melbourne was 65 out of a potential 100 in 2007¹

Percentage of residents that are part of a community group or local club. Current: Indicator to be developed.

Participation or citizen engagement. Current In 2007, 47 per cent of City of Melbourne residents had attended a town meeting or public hearing, met, called or written to a local politician, or joined a protest or signed a petition in the previous year.²

A sense of community supports an increase in social connectivity, belonging and community health (mental and physical) and wellbeing.

A balance between lifestyle and economic prosperity exists.

Physical activity and social interaction

Public and private space that is accessible to all and designed to encourage physical movement, communal exercising and social interaction.

Residents perception of the appearance of public areas. Current: In 2007, the City of Melbourne received an indexed value of 74 out of a potential 100 for community satisfaction of Public Areas. ³

A municipality designed to promote mental and physical wellbeing.

Public spaces such as parks, plazas, roads and paths are designed to foster physical activity, social interaction, connections to the natural environment and quiet, reflective spaces.

New private spaces provide for community needs.