About the Shoalhaven
The Shoalhaven local government area (LGA) is one of the largest coastal LGA's in NSW covering 4660 square kilometres and comprising 49 towns and villages. The coastline is approximately 170 kilometres and the area contains 19 major water catchments including rivers, estuaries, bays, lakes and major creeks. The significant environmental qualities of the area have influenced Healthy Cities Shoalhaven to develop environmental health projects as one of its ongoing priority areas.
The Shoalhaven has an older than NSW average aged population and rate of disability. It has geographically isolated communities and a higher than average Indigenous population.
Healthy Cities Shoalhaven facilitates a co-operative approach to identifying and addressing the diverse needs of the region and works collaboratively to improve the health and quality of life of its community.
There are two workers in Shoalhaven sharing a 24 hour per week position - the Healthy Cities Shoalhaven Coordinator/generalist Community Development Worker, based in the Bay & Basin area and a Community Environmental Health Officer, based in the southern Shoalhaven.
A short history of Healthy Cities Shoalhaven
In the beginning...
Healthy Cities Shoalhaven began in 1990 with three community workshops facilitated by Shoalhaven City Council.
Residents were asked to
- think about issues which affect everyday health
- consider ways in which these issues can be addressed in a practical way.
From this emerged three main Task Forces.
- Cycleways
- Environment
- HIV/AIDS prevention
As it began, so it goes on. The strategic issues represented in each of these projects - physical activity, sustainable transport, health promotion and natural resource management - continue to represent the core activities of Healthy Cities Shoalhaven.
Some activities since then...
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