Community Health and Wellbeing Plan 2026-2031

Update - 27 May 2026

On Wednesday 27 May 2026, Council endorsed the Community Health and Wellbeing Plan 2026–2031(CHWP).

This milestone also includes the establishment of a Housing and Homelessness Advisory Group in collaboration with local service providers, bringing together community members with lived experience, community leaders and decision-makers to guide local action.

The CHWP has been shaped through extensive engagement with the community, industry partners, local stakeholders, Elected Members and City staff. This included targeted workshops, an Industry Panel, insights from the 2024 MARKYT community scorecard, and a community survey conducted in 2025. The community was also invited to provide feedback on the draft plan in March 2026.

What we heard from the community

During consultation, the community highlighted a number of key issues impacting health and wellbeing in the region.

Top concerns included mental health, physical inactivity, alcohol and drug use, and the rising cost of living. Community safety was also a strong theme, with concerns about antisocial behaviour, lighting and surveillance, traffic issues, and disengaged youth.

Barriers to health and wellbeing included access to affordable housing, transport options, youth facilities, mental health services and disability access. We also heard that cost, limited transport, childcare challenges, lack of awareness, and not always feeling safe or welcome can limit participation.

What we heard from industry and stakeholders

Industry partners and stakeholders emphasised the importance of stronger coordination and collaboration across services, as well as increased advocacy for regional needs.

While recognising the many strong programs and community networks already in place, they also identified gaps - particularly in housing, mental health services, transport, and access to care for vulnerable members of the community.

Shared priorities moving forward

There was strong alignment across all feedback. Together, the community identified key areas for focus:

Improving community safety and social connection
Strengthening mental health support and early intervention
Enhancing access to affordable housing and transport
Supporting inclusive, accessible services and infrastructure
Improving communication and health literacy
Embedding health and wellbeing into planning and development

Youth perspectives

Engagement with young people highlighted the importance of more affordable, accessible and youth-focused opportunities.

Priorities included better transport options, stronger mental health support, improved access to activities outside of school, and ensuring young people continue to have a voice in shaping the future of the community.

Further information on the Plan, including objectives and strategies, can be found in Council's Minutes and Agendas » City of Busselton.

Consultation conducted 11 March to 31 March 2026 - helping shape a healthier, more connected Busselton

The City of Busselton developed a Community Health and Wellbeing Plan 2026–2031, aligned with the State Public Health Plan, to guide future programs and initiatives that promote physical, mental, social and environmental wellbeing across our community.

This plan is about supporting healthier lifestyles, fostering social connection, and creating environments that help everyone thrive, and we want your input.

How the Plan is was developed

We followed a two-step process:

Create a health and wellbeing profile of our local community (completed)
Develop an action plan aligned with State Public Health Priorities (current stage)

Consultation conducted:

Workshops with local public health experts
Internal staff workshops
Workshops with local industry panel groups
Development of the Industry Panel
Review feedback from 2024 Catalyse MARKYT scorecard
Survey the community to identify concerns and priorities
Workshop with Elected Members

The feedback helped us develop a draft Community Health and Wellbeing Plan. The draft Plan was available for you to review and provide further feedback. Consultation closed 5.00pm Tuesday 31 March 2026.

The draft plan can be found here.

After consultation has concluded and the Plan has been developed, Council will be asked to consider the Community Health and Wellbeing Plan 2026-2031 in mid-2026. Every submission helps shape our community. Elected Members will review all feedback, officer advice, and community input before making a decision.

Alternative survey formats are available upon request.

If you are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment, contact us via the National Relay Service (NRS). To use the NRS, you can register here: https://nrschat.nrscall.gov.au/nrs/registration.

If you require an interpreter, contact us via the Translating and Interpreting Services (TIS National) on 13 14 50