The content below is an exact replica of the content in the draft Community Vision and Council Plan 2025-29 document. These have been provided for accessibility, to ensure that all members of our communities can access this document.
We value your input and invite you to review the draft Plans and share your feedback. Please read the draft Community Vision and Council Plan 2025-29 and share your feedback on Engage Alpine.
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES FACING OUR COMMUNITIES?
The Snapshot of Alpine Shire provides key statistics on some of the challenges facing the health and wellbeing of our communities. In summary, these challenges include:
- We have a large population of people under 20 years old, and around one hundred babies born to Alpine Shire families every year.
- Our population is ageing, with a high proportion of people aged over 60. This proportion is forecast to keep growing.
- Our young people report a higher rate of mental health challenges, compared to the Victorian average. Limited access to services and isolation contribute to this.
- Women in Alpine Shire are more likely to experience poverty than the Victorian average.
- We have a significant culturally and linguistically diverse community.
- The number of First Nations peoples is small but growing, with 4.4% growth between 2016 and 2021.
- There were over 300 reported incidents of family violence in Alpine Shire in 2024, with a significant majority of victim-survivors being women. The instances of family violence in small rural communities are likely to be significantly under reported.
OUR PRIORITIES IN RESPONSE
Our Plan has been informed by the Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2023-2027 and Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008, and focuses on the following priorities:
- Mental wellbeing and community connectedness;
- Gender equity and prevention of gender-based violence;
- Healthy lifestyles (incorporating physical activity and healthy eating); and
- Tackling climate change and its impacts on health.
These priorities are reflected throughout our Plan, with corresponding initiatives to be delivered over the four-year period of our Plan. All parts of our organisation play a role in our communities' public health and wellbeing, from the teams that maintain parks and playgrounds, to our Maternal and Child Health service, and the wide range of services available at our libraries that connect our communities.
The priorities, initiatives, and advocacy actions that contribute to our Plan are highlighted throughout the document with a red heart symbol.
We collaborate closely with a range of community groups, health services, and other organisations to coordinate and deliver health and wellbeing services across our communities. This includes Alpine Health, Gateway Health, various state government bodies, as well as local community groups, neighbouring councils, and other support organisations.
Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Mission Australia Youth Survey 2024, Crime Statistics Agency Victoria, and Women's Health Goulburn North East.