Click on the relevant reports, resources and publications for more information.

What strategies were used?

To conduct a Health Impact Assessment of the Coffs Harbour city Council’s Our Living City Settlement Strategy; and by doing this form recommendations that would inform ongoing council policy and planning, including the Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plans.

What were the program outcomes?

It demonstrated that conducting a HIA was a very useful method to engage and build relationships between health and the local council. Council staff reported a change in consciousness since starting the HIA process and are now more likely to consider the health consequences of council policy and plans, especially in relation to active living and social connectivity. Similarly, health staff now have a much better understanding of where they can value add to the work of council, by providing input and evidence for health planning issues.
Although there may not have been formal incorporation of the HIA recommendations into council management practices, attitudinal change attributed to the HIA has resulted in significant application of health planning recommendations in council policy and planning processes.