MRLGA 19ADL-0362 18 June 2021 Engagement summary report Draft Murraylands and Riverland Regional Public Health and Wellbeing Plan Draft MRLGA Regional Public Health and Wellbeing Plan engagement summary report 18 June 2021 Lead consultant URPS Suite 12/154 Fullarton Road (cnr Alexandra Ave) Rose Park, SA 5067 (08) 8333 7999 urps.com.au Prepared for Murraylands and Riverland Local Government Association Consultant Project Manager Zoe Hambour, Senior Consultant [email protected] URPS Ref 19ADL-0362 Document history and status Revision Date Author Reviewed Details V1 18/06/20 Z. Hambour © URPS. All rights reserved; these materials are copyright. No part may be reproduced or copied in any way, form or by any means without prior permission. This report has been prepared for URPS’ client. URPS and its associated consultants are not liable to any person or entity for any damage or loss that has occurred, or may occur, in relation to that person or entity taking or not taking action in respect of any representation, statement, opinion or advice referred to herein. H:\Synergy\Projects\19ADL\19ADL-0362 Community Wellbeing Alliance Pilot Project\Draft Reports\210519_v1_Engagement Summary Report_MRLGA Draft Regional Plan Consultation.docx Contents Executive summary .................................................................................................................... 1 Background ...................................................................................................................... 2 Engagement process ..................................................................................................... 3 Survey results ................................................................................................................... 4 Feedback on the draft goals and outcomes ...................................................................................... 5 Feedback on the Council priorities and actions ............................................................................... 7 Feedback on the plan as a whole ....................................................................................................... 30 Written submissions ................................................................................................... 32 Appendix A – Survey .............................................................................................................. 33 Appendix B – Flyer .................................................................................................................. 34 Appendix C – Verbatim survey comments ...................................................................... 35 Appendix D – Written submissions ................................................................................... 41 Draft MRLGA Regional Public Health and Wellbeing Plan engagement summary report | i Executive summary The second regional plan for the Murraylands and Riverland region is being prepared in collaboration by the Murraylands and Riverland Local Government Association (the MRLGA) and the region’s eight constituent Councils: the Rural City of Murray Bridge, District Council of Karoonda East Murray, Southern Mallee District Council, Mid Murray Council, Coorong District Council, Renmark Paringa Council, Berri Barmera Council and the District Council of Loxton Waikerie. Between 12 April and 10 May2021 the draft plan was released for public consultation. Feedback of community and stakeholders was sought via an online survey. 36 responses were received as well as two written submissions. Most survey respondents (58%) agreed that the goals and outcomes are right for the region. Around a third (32%) somewhat agreed and only 3% did not agree. Around half of respondents (54%) ‘somewhat support’ the draft plan as a whole. 42% ‘support the draft’ as a whole. Key themes of feedback were to strengthen the following in the draft plan: • Ensure plan directions address the key regional challenges (eg. mental health, non-communicable disease, socio-economic disadvantage) and priority populations (including those outside townships) • Suicide prevention, especially building the capacity of the workforce to respond to suicide distress • Reduce drug harms by engaging with Alcohol and Drug Foundation programs and resources • Child and youth engagement and wellbeing • The importance of community connectivity and access to facilities and programs that bring people together (inc. sport) • Climate change, greening neighbourhoods and establishing native vegetation • Consultation and collaboration with community, groups and services in the delivery of programs • More pointed goals and actions, and collaborative actions between councils • Political and financial commitment to delivering and reporting on the plan. Draft MRLGA Regional Public Health and Wellbeing Plan engagement summary report - Executive summary | 1 Background In South Australia public health is guided by the Public Health Act and the South Australian State Public Health Plan 2019-2024. These acknowledge the role of local governments in public health and encourage the development of regional public health plans that support the collaboration of Councils and stakeholders to improve regional public health outcomes. The second regional plan for the Murraylands and Riverland region is being prepared in collaboration by the Murraylands and Riverland Local Government Association (the MRLGA) and the region’s eight constituent Councils: the Rural City of Murray Bridge, District Council of Karoonda East Murray, Southern Mallee District Council, Mid Murray Council, Coorong District Council, Renmark Paringa Council, Berri Barmera Council and the District Council of Loxton Waikerie. In April and May2021 the draft Murraylands and Riverland Regional Public Health and Wellbeing Plan was released for the purposes of public consultation. Draft MRLGA Regional Public Health and Wellbeing Plan engagement summary report - Background | 2 Engagement process An online survey was used to gather feedback on the draft plan from the region’s stakeholders and community. The survey was accessible from the MRLGA website (www.mmlga.sa.gov.au) for a period of 4 weeks from 12 April until 10 May 2021. A copy of the survey is provided in Appendix A. The survey was promoted through: • the Facebook pages of the MRLGA and each council • a poster provided to each council to distribute through their centres (Appendix B) • emails to stakeholders and networks identified and distributed by each council. Although not a promoted method of feedback, two written submissions were received. Draft MRLGA Regional Public Health and Wellbeing Plan engagement summary report - Engagement process | 3 Survey results Thirty-six survey responses were received. The origin of respondents across the different council areas is provided in Figure 1. Eleven of the survey responses were from organisations listed below. Additionally, two organisations provided written submissions (see Section 4.0). • Alcohol and Drug Foundation • Rural City of Murray Bridge • Mid-Murray Suicide Prevention Network Inc • Department of Human Sevices • Sedan community groups • Renmark Paringa Council • Kindergym-Meningie • High school • Riverland Local Drug Action • Our Town Berri and Girl Guides Riverland • Murraylands and Riverland Landscapes Board (written submission) • Department for Infrastructure and Transport (written submission). Other 8% Renmark Paringa Council 17% Rural City of Murray Bridge 31% Mid Murray Council 22% Southern Mallee District Council 6% District Council of Loxton Waikerie 14% District Council of Karoonda East Murray 11% Coorong District Council 28% Berri Barmera Council 11% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% % of survey responses Figure 1 – Origin of survey respondents (live, work or pay rates). Respondents could select more than one council area. Draft MRLGA Regional Public Health and Wellbeing Plan engagement summary report - Survey results | 4 Feedback on the draft goals and outcomes Respondents were presented with the goals and outcomes of the draft plan (Table 1) and were asked if they agree that these are the right goals and outcomes for the region’s public health. Table 1 - Draft goals and outcomes Goals Outcomes Goal 1 – Build community • people of all ages, backgrounds, abilities and means are wellbeing and resilience welcomed, connected and participate in community life • people’s mental health is supported • people feel safe • community support structures aid resilience and recovery Goal 2 – Increase healthy living • people can eat well and exercise regularly regardless of their choices circumstances • smoking, drug and substance misuse is reduced Goal 3 – Prepare for climate • we have planned for and are resilient to the long-term impacts of change and plan for emergency climate change such as reduced rainfall and increased temperatures • Our communities are planned and resourced to respond to and recover from emergencies and disasters (including extreme weather events such as heat waves, floods, storms and bushfires). Goal 4 – Sustain environmental • People are protected against preventable communicable diseases and public health • Environmental risks to public health are well understood and people and organisations have the capacity to act accordingly Goal 1 – Build community • Councils collaborate to deliver regional public health outcomes wellbeing and resilience • Councils are resourced to support regional collaboration Draft MRLGA Regional Public Health and Wellbeing Plan engagement