Identifying indicators of community wellbeing

SA councils can now better assess complex issues relating to community wellbeing, thanks to an innovative new initiative.

The 'Indicators of Community Wellbeing for the Southern and Hills Local Government Area' project enables councils to make evaluations for strategic planning, public health planning, community planning, and service provision based on a comprehensive set of indicators.

Funded through a Local Government Regional and Development Scheme grant, the project filled a critical need – before its rollout, there was no data policy officers could assess to inform decision making relating to community wellbeing.

Leann Symmonds, Manager Community Wellbeing at City of Victor Harbor, reflected on how the initiative began and why it was needed.

"The idea for the project was developed after staff in the Southern and Hills council regions expressed a need to formulate summary measures of social, economic and environmental phenomena that would allow tracking of complex issues in a simple way".

Extensive consultation with representatives from the six constituent councils of the Southern and Hills Local Government Area – along with SA Health, Wellbeing SA, the Torrens University Public Health Development unit and Penny Worland Consulting – shaped the selection of indicators and final framework for creating a practical tool for councils to use.

To date, this framework has significantly influenced regional planning, including the Regional Public Health Plan, Strategic Plan for Adelaide Hills Council, and Wellbeing Strategy for the City of Salisbury.

The project received recognition as the Regional Award Winner in the 2021 Minister for Health and Wellbeing – Excellence in Public Health Awards, celebrating the positive impact it has made.

Find out more

Leann Symmonds, City of Victor Harbor
Email: lsymonds@victor.sa.gov.au