Moira Shire Council has released the first annual update on the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2025-2029, highlighting the work Council and local partner organisations have delivered to support community health and wellbeing over the past year.
The update reports on actions under the Plan's three themes: Healthy and Empowered, Safe and Inclusive, and Liveable and Thriving. It includes contributions from health services, community houses and community organisations, as well as Council teams.
Chair Administrator Dr Graeme Emonson PSM said the update showed what could be achieved when Council and the community worked together.
"The Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan relies on strong partnerships, and this first annual update shows those partnerships at work across Moira Shire," Dr Emonson said.
"I thank our health services, community houses and community organisations, along with our staff and the many volunteers, for the work they do to support the health and wellbeing of our community."
Highlights from the 2026 update include:
Healthy and Empowered
- NCN Health's Smiles 4 Miles oral health program reached 836 children across 17 early learning centres.
- MHA Care - Moira FoodShare recorded 18,471 service contacts supporting 48,615 people across 29 communities through 49 partner agencies in 2025-26, and secured $150,000 in state emergency relief funding.
- Move Moira recorded more than 550 engagements, including more than 400 children and young people.
- Council's third Community Leadership Program had 13 graduates.
- Cobram Community House connected more than 200 residents to Centrelink and Medicare rebates, and more than 50 residents completed the Be Connected digital skills program.
Safe and Inclusive
- 169 children aged 5 to 14 took part in the Bush Nippers water safety program in January 2026.
- Council held two Local Safety Forums with Victoria Police, in Nathalia and Yarrawonga.
- Council endorsed its Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (October 2026-April 2028).
- The Moira Emergency Dashboard was implemented to provide real-time situational awareness.
- Family violence prevention activities included 16 Days of Activism walks and Advocacy and Rights Centre Justice education sessions across four towns.
Liveable and Thriving
- Nearly 4 tonnes of soft plastics were diverted from landfill in 2026.
- About 250,000 kg of food was distributed through MHA Care - Moira FoodShare in 2025-26.
- Council continued Shire-wide kerbside FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) services with low contamination.
- Council took part in the Victorian Climate Resilience Collaboration and reviewed key municipal infrastructure for use as relief centres and emergency hubs.
These highlights reflect the Plan's goals of supporting residents to live happy and healthy lives, and of building a community where people feel safe, included and connected, and where they can thrive.
The annual update report will now be submitted to the Victorian Government for noting.
To view Council's Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2025-2029, please visit Council's website: https://www.moira.vic.gov.au/Our-Council/Our-plans-and-strategies/Our-other-plans-and-strategies
