The City of Mandurah was named Overall Award Winner at the Public Health Advocacy Institute’s 2021 Local Government Policy Awards recently, winning in three categories and receiving three commendations.
The City plays a pivotal role in creating and positively influencing healthy environments for the whole community, particularly children, and is committed to continually strengthening its policy, practice and environments to ensure improved health and wellbeing of the community.
The City showcased a suite of its programs, projects and policies relating to a number of endorsed strategies including the Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2020-2023, Youth Strategy 2021-2026, and Mandurah Homelessness & Street Present Strategy 2021-2023 which led to the award wins and commendations.
At the PHAI Awards, the City was named winner for:
- Mental Health and Wellbeing for Children and Young People category (for the Thrive Young Women’s Program)
- Creating Healthy Environments for Children and Young People category (for the 'Advertising in Road Reserves Policy’)
- Trailblazer Award for new policy (joint winner) for the ‘Advertising in Road Reserves Policy’
- Overall Metro winner
The City was also commended in the following categories:
- Creating Healthy Environments for Children and Young People – Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre ‘Fuel to Go & Play’ initiative
- COVID Recovery and Response for Children and Young People - Family and Domestic Violence – Peel Interagency Network
- Young People Making a Difference in Communities - Beats Under the Bridge Summer Youth Festival
Mayor Rhys Williams said the City and Council were proud to have big-picture thinking around public health initiatives that led to happier and healthier communities.
“Creating opportunities for young people is one of Council’s highest priorities and these Awards are received on behalf of the many City officers, community volunteers, and young leaders working hard to make sure we’re creating a happy, healthy and connected community for our local young people,” Mayor Williams said.
“Our Youth Advisory Group continues to play such a vital role in providing leadership and input to Council decision-making and I thank the members for their ongoing dedication to ensuring the views and voices of our young people are recognised, heard and valued.
“Of particular note was the top accolade for the City’s initiative to prohibit junk food and alcohol advertising from areas near schools, bus stops and other common children’s settings. This important health initiative is one of the first of its kind in Australia for Local Government and demonstrates our commitment to be innovative and forward thinking in our approach to public health policy.
“Congratulations to everyone involved in the many incredible initiatives that have been put into place and recognised today for the real impact they are having on the lives of our local people.”
The City’s efforts in public health are underpinned by its Strategic Community Plan 2020-2040, which was informed through an extensive public engagement process. The City listened to its community, with ‘Health’ emerging as a consistent key priority for residents. Consequently, the City included Health as one of five focus areas to dedicate future resources, alongside Economic, Environment, Social and Organisational Excellence. The City has taken bold steps to deliver new and different initiatives that align with the strategic Health pillar.
