Cross-City collaboration recognised at Local Government Policy Awards

The Cities of Armadale, Canning and Gosnells have been recognised at the 2019 Local Government Policy Awards for their joint Alcohol Action Plan (AAP) – a comprehensive plan developed to reduce alcohol-related harm amongst young people in the south east corridor.

An initiative of Public Health Advocacy Institute of WA, the Awards showcase the work local governments are doing to positively influence legislation, policy and services to promote the health and wellbeing of children and young people.

Developed in partnership with State Government bodies and community organisations, the Cities of Armadale, Canning and Gosnells’ the action plan focuses on preventing and reducing harm associated with the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol.

The first of its kind plan provides strategies that are targeted at schools, community, sporting clubs and licensed venues to address underage drinking, alcohol related anti-social behaviour and promote alcohol-related support services.

These strategies will be implemented by the three cities through their joint Local Drug Action Group over the next three years, in partnership with 16 government and non-government organisations.

 “We welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with other local governments and organisations and are proud to have this collaborative effort recognised. Especially at a time when statistics show Western Australians – when compared to the rest of the nation – are more likely to drink alcohol in quantities that place them at risk of short and long term harm,” City of Canning Mayor Paul Ng said.

“There is no organisation that can single handedly address alcohol-related problems in our community,” City of Gosnells Mayor Glenn Dewhurst said.

“By having a plan that engages all levels of government, as well as non-government agencies, we can work together to achieve better outcomes for the health and wellbeing of our residents.”

“The City of Armadale, along with Canning and Gosnells believe that leveraging our collective know-how and working together will increase our impact on addressing the growing issue of alcohol-related harm in our communities, and it is pleasing to have that recognised,” City of Armadale’s Mayor Henry Zelones OAM, JP said.

A record number of submissions from across the state were received in this year’s Local Government Policy Awards. Winners were announced on 8 August at the 2019 WALGA Convention. 

More information can be obtained at www.canning.wa.gov.au/aap.