The Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) has welcomed the report by the Joint Select Committee Inquiry into Preventative Health.
“The Committee is to be congratulated on recognising the issues which are bigger than party politics,” said LGAT President, Mayor Doug Chipman. “They have been collaborating on delivering a strong and united message, supported by some sound recommendations.
“The need to recognise and resource a range of health related areas, including Local Government, is welcomed.
“Far too often, preventative health action is funded in ad-hoc and one-off ways. Recognition of the need for increased, recurrent funding is to be applauded.”
Mayor Chipman said Local Government is committed to enabling the health and wellbeing of its communities, however the task is growing and our sector needs to be resourced to develop capacity and meet community needs and expectations.
“We are well practiced in helping communities through collaborative approaches and partnerships.
“There are a myriad of good examples of Local Government proactively working with their communities to support good health outcomes, from walking groups to bike tracks; community gardens to sports centres; from health promotion to immunisation. Local Government is well placed to support appropriate local solutions.”
LGAT CEO, Dr Katrena Stephenson also applauded the report.
“As a key stakeholder in Tasmania’s land use planning system, the sector agrees that it is important that health and wellbeing is reflected in planning practice.
“However, it is important to understand that the planning system does not have all the answers and that often planners are tasked with addressing multiple issues and policy agendas, some of which can be in conflict with each other,” Dr Stephenson said.
“The Local Government Association of Tasmania has been working collaboratively with other key stakeholders and supports a health in all policies approach, focusing on the social determinants of health.”
The Joint Select Committee Inquiry into Preventative Health Report can be accessed here.
