The Strategic Engagement and Policy team at SA Health works with local councils, the Local Government Association of South Australia (LGA) and our public health partners to build the public health planning system.
This occurs through:
Sections 51 and 52 of the South Australian Public Health Act 2011 (the Act) require each local council in South Australia to prepare, maintain and report on a Regional Public Health Plan (RPHP) that is consistent with the State Public Health Plan and responds to public health challenges within their local area or region.
Local council reports, on the implementation of their Regional Public Health Plans, cover a two-year cycle from 1 July – 30 June and are due to the Chief Public Health Officer on or before 30 September in each reporting year. The next reporting period is for 2024-2026 and are due to be submitted on or before 30 September 2026.
A bespoke Section 52 Reporting discretionary template and supporting user guide for the 2024-2026 period (PDF 287KB) is available to assist councils with this reporting requirement. Please contact the Strategic Engagement and Policy team if you require a copy.
Section 51(19) of the Act requires that, once prepared and in place, the RPHP 'must be reviewed at least once in every 5 years’. Specifically, the Act requires local councils to reflect on circumstances that may have changed since their RPHP was made or last reviewed. This is the first review of RPHPs to be triggered under the Act. The review of a RPHP is an opportunity for councils to reflect on whether their RPHP is meeting its objectives, taking into account learnings from the first RPHP, assessment of local priorities, demand, and capabilities to deliver.
The Local Government Association of South Australia and SA Health collaborated to deliver the Guide to Regional Public Health Planning (2019) (PDF 4.88MB), to assist councils in preparing and maintaining their RPHPs. The Guide outlines the scope and principles for public health planning, processes and components of good planning practice, to support greater consistency amongst South Australian local councils.
For further information, please contact the Strategic Engagement and Policy Team on: