Public Health Plan 2026-2031

Overview

Have your say

Community consultation on the draft Public Health Plan 2026–2031 is now open and closes on 29 May 2026. View the draft plan and complete the survey below:

View the Draft Plan(PDF, 10MB)

Complete the survey

Drop-in Session

The Town will also be holding a Community Information Drop-In Session between 4 - 7pm on 13 May 2026 at Cambridge Library should you wish to speak to the Plan's Project Team about the draft Plan.

About the Public Health Plan

The Town of Cambridge is preparing a Public Health Plan that seeks to protect, promote and enhance the health, wellbeing, and quality of life for all residents in our community.

Public health involves the policies, programmes, and protections that promote, maintain, and improve the health of individuals and communities while preventing illness and disability. Improving health and wellbeing is a long-term, complex process that requires thoughtful, strategic action.

A Public Health Plan is a strategic document outlining how a Local Government will promote and protect the health and wellbeing of its residents and visitors. The Public Health Act 2016 requires each local government in Western Australia to produce a Public Health Plan for its local district by 4 June 2026.

The Plan must align with the objectives and priorities of the State’s Public Health Plan whilst responding to the Town's local public health needs and priorities. The State Public Health Plan was proclaimed in June 2025.

The Public Health Plan must:

• Identify the public health needs of the Town of Cambridge.
• Examine data relating to health status and health determinants in the Town.
• Establish objectives and policy priorities for the promotion and protection of public health in the Town.
• Describe the development and delivery of public health services in the Town.
• Align with the State Public Health Plan-(State Public Health Plan for Western Australia 2025-2030)

What is the role of Local Government in Public Health?

Video source: Government of Western Australia, Department of Health

Local government looks after a variety of programs and services that all have a big impact on the community’s health.

The Town of Cambridge acknowledges its role in the promotion of community health and wellbeing as a part of core business in addition to maintaining its statutory public health role. 

These services, programmes, and infrastructure have been captured below:

Project Timeline

Public Health Plan FAQs

• Q: What is the Public Health Plan (PHP)?
• A: It is a strategic document outlining how the Town will promote and protect community health and wellbeing from 2026–2031.
  
  
• Q: Why is this plan being created?
• A: The Local Public Health Plan is a legislative requirement under thePublic Health Act 2016 (WA)for all Western Australian local governments. The Town’s draft Public Health Plan has been developed to meet the statutory compliance obligations of local government and is aligned with the State Public Health Plan for Western Australia.

• Q: How is community input being collected?

• A: Community input is gathered via the Community Scorecard Survey conducted in April 2025. The feedback identified key community health themes and has been instrumental in shaping the draft PHP.

• Q: When can I provide feedback on the draft Plan?
• A: Community feedback will be gathered on the Draft PHP in early April 2026, via online and printed forms.
  
  
• Q: Where can I view the draft PHP?
• A: The draft PHP will be published on the Town’s website and made available at key facilities, including the Cambridge Library and Administration Centre.
  
  
• Q: What happens with my feedback?
• A: All submissions will be reviewed and incorporated where relevant.
  
  
• Q: When will the final PHP be adopted?
• A: The PHP is scheduled for Council endorsement in June 2026 and due for submission to the Department of Health in late June early July 2026.