Health and wellbeing
Grampians Health and Wellbeing Initiative Department of Health and Human Services, Victoria (2016-17) for the Department of Health and Human Services Victoria
This project initially involved working with eleven councils in the former DHHS Grampians Region to assist them to review their last Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plans (MPHWPs) and prepare for the 2017-2021 planning cycle. Councils included were: Horsham, Hindmarsh, West Wimmera, Yarriambiack, Ararat, Northern Grampians, Pyrenees, Hepburn, Balllarat, Moorabool and Golden Plains, MPHWPs are required by state legislation and express a Council’s commitment to public health and health promotion action. Tasks involved analysis of relevant plans and planning processes and conducting reflection and learning sessions with key council personnel, including senior managers and councilors. This culminated in eleven individual reports provided to each council recommending areas for improvement and a Regional report recommending professional development and capacity building strategies. The success of this project led to a further two phases of activity supporting the consultation, planning and evaluation design aspects of the forthcoming Council Plans and Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plans as they were developed.
Wyndham Health, Wellbeing and Safety Plan 2013-2017 for Wyndham City
Following success of the 2010-2013 Plan, PDF reassessed the strategic direction of health and wellbeing planning by analysing the current plan for effectiveness, conducting a policy review, analysing current and emerging priorities, developing a background paper, and encapsulating the strategy in a practical, easy-to-read plan.
Macedon Ranges Council Plan 2013-2017 for the Macedon Ranges Shire Council
This project integrated the Council Plan and the Health and Wellbeing Plan under a unifying vision. The project involved extensive review and research of current documents, facilitation of internal and external stakeholder input, analysis of the health and wellbeing data, community engagement and facilitation, and development of goals, objectives, strategies and performance measures based on the diverse range of inputs.
Great South Coast Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Planning Support Strategy for Great South Coast group of Councils
PDF was retained by the Great South Coast group of councils to support the strategic development of each of their MPHWPs. The work has included a comprehensive policy review; analysis of current MPHWPs; identification and analysis of capacity across each of the Councils in relation to health and wellbeing planning and development of a strategic approach to professional development and capacity building; development of a community engagement model; development of strategic decision framework to apply to decision-making around health and wellbeing priorities; and training for Councillors in health and wellbeing planning.
Stakeholder engagement and community consultation models for Great South Coast group of Councils, Macedon Ranges Shire Council and Hobsons Bay City Council
Each stakeholder engagement model was tailored to the size and context of each municipality and actively recognised the value of stakeholder and wider community consultation in providing practical support and local experience to the process of health and wellbeing strategy development.
Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Planning, Review and Evaluation Support Project Phase 2 for the Department of Health Victoria Eastern Metropolitan Region
PDF developed an evaluation toolkit in close collaboration with local government in the region and provided training and development in use of the toolkit. Seven modules were developed to simplify evaluation concepts and support practical application of evaluation to MPHWP planning and implementation.
Wellbeing For All Ages And Abilities Action Planning Project for Bayside City Council Victoria
This project built internal and community partner capacity to collaborate and deliver their action plans consistent with the WAAA’s themes, goals and strategies and to measure and report on outcomes by developing understanding, templates and tools for those oversighting implementation.
Wyndham City’s Health, Wellbeing and Community Safety Plan 2010-2013 for Wyndham City
A complex, multifaceted project built on extensive consultation, the development of a robust social model of health framework, and clear and measurable goals, objectives and strategies designed to achieve higher levels of health and wellbeing across the Wyndham community.
Allied Health Professional Executive Committee Strategic Plan 2009-2012 for Department of Health Tasmania
Facilitated disparate allied health professionals to gain a single focus and alignment with the overall departmental strategic plan; wrote and edited plan.
Great South Coast Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Planning for the Great South Coast group of Councils
PDF was retained by councils on the Great South Coast to further support them in the development of their MPHWPs including development of contents and templates for use across all Councils and generating consensus around the selection of priorities for their plans.
Pathway to a Healthy Community: a guide for councillors for WA Health South Metropolitan Region
Resource was designed to encourage local government to better integrate health and wellbeing into their core business.
Heatwave Planning Guide: Development of heatwave plans in local councils in Victoria for the Public Health Unit, Department of Human Services Victoria
A three-part guide designed to assist local councils to develop strategies to respond to heatwaves including background to the impacts of heatwaves, preparing a heatwave plan and a communication strategy.
Solving the Puzzle of Integrated Planning: Tools for integrating community wellbeing across local government for the Eastern Metropolitan Region Health Planners Network Department of Health Victoria
Developed to support health promotion officers achieve integrated planning in their councils including a Stakeholder Analysis tool, Working Together tool, Activity Register and workshops tailored to the needs of individual councils.
A local government guide to effective communication with culturally and linguistically diverse food businesses for the Food Safety Unit of the Department of Human Services Victoria
The three-part guide provides support to environmental health officers working in local government to work more effectively and consistently with food businesses operated by people from cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds to improve compliance with food safety standards and achieve sustainable change in food safety practice.
Resource guide for planning effective community drug prevention for the Premier’s Drug Council Victoria
Guide assists local communities in Victoria to develop strategies to prevent drug use.
Prevention of harm from alcohol consumption in rural and remote communities for the Australian Drug Foundation
Explores strategies for reducing harm from alcohol consumption in rural and remote communities in Victoria based on an issues paper and local responses using regulation, enforcement, advocacy, community programs, social marketing and service provision.
Click here to see the Issues Paper
Victorian Food Safety Templates for the Department of Health Victoria
Based on international research and trialled with the range of food businesses, the templates provide assistance to meet the requirements of food safety legislation.
Local government reducing harm from alcohol consumption for the Australian Drug Foundation
Uses an integrated approach to planning to encourage Victorian councils to reduce harm from alcohol consumption in their local communities; included an issues paper, a newsletter and fact sheets.
Putting the economic environment to work: Towards planning for health and wellbeing through the economic environment for the Department of Health Victoria Southern Metropolitan Region
Resource supports understanding and consideration of the economic environment for health in planning for the health and wellbeing of local communities.
Leading the Way: Councils creating healthier communities for VicHealth
A resource and seminar series designed to encourage Victorian councils to better integrate health and wellbeing into their core business; included presentations and workshops to all 79 Councils.
Click here to see Resource Pack Part 1
Click here to see Resource Pack Part 2
Physical Activity Participation for Queensland Health
Workshops conducted in Brisbane, Roma and Charleville.
Food Security and Physical Activity participation short courses for VicHealth
These short courses, delivered across Victoria to state and local government and the community sector, focused on applying a ‘social determinants of health’ lens to the topic content.
Evaluation Plan for Wyndham City’s Health, Wellbeing and Community Safety Plan 2010-2013 for Wyndham City
Following development of the Plan by PDF, a performance framework was developed to evaluate the Plan as the basis for an organisation-wide shift towards greater learning and evidence-based practice in health and wellbeing.
Evaluation Plan for the City of Casey Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2009-2013 for the City of Casey
Developed an evaluation framework to support Council to measure its progress towards improving the health and wellbeing of Casey residents and to build evaluation capacity across Council departments.
Review of selected council policies on smoking and nutrition for Dandenong City Council Victoria
PDF examined and assessed best practice policies across Victorian Local Governments in the areas of smoking and nutrition and to gain understanding of the processes undertaken to gain approval and support for those policies.
Huon Valley Events and Cultural Development Strategy (2007-2010) for the Huon Valley Council
Extensive community and stakeholder consultation preceded development of a comprehensive five-year Strategy designed to inform annual business planning for all departments of Council.
Partnership Model for Hobsons Bay City Council
Consulted stakeholders, conducted literature review of partnership best practice, identified key partnership attributes, developed partnership model and validated with key stakeholders in facilitated forum.
Councillor development workshops for the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV)
A series of workshops for councillors focused on making decisions in complex times. Sessions were delivered at MAV Councillor Development Weekends and as dedicated workshops across Victoria.
Navigating for Health and Wellbeing for the Department of Health Victoria Southern Metropolitan Region
A resource and professional development project to support understanding and collaboration across local government business units.
Raising the bar – North and West Region Evaluation Project: Phase 1 and Phase 2 for Department of Health Victoria North and West Metropolitan Region
A project exploring evaluation frameworks which was extended to support individual local councils to tackle evaluation within their local context.
Housing and human services
Mental Health Services consultations for the Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services
Consultations included public forums on: the proposed Mental Health Consumer and Carer Participation Framework; the proposed new Mental Health Act and Regulations; the impact of changes to the community-based service delivery model; and strategic planning for the Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Committee.
Review of St Giles Therapy Services for the Department of Health and Human Services Tasmania
Conducted an independent review of current services provided by St Giles Therapy Services to establish the service and funding mix under the transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Tasmania Together Community Consultations for the Department of Premier and Cabinet Tasmania
These Tasmania-wide community consultations at the half-way mark of the 20-year plan for Tasmania called Tasmania Together were designed to determine whether and what changes were required and to make recommendations accordingly.
Issues Papers on each of Respite and Supported Accommodation; Information; and Transport for Department of Health and Human Services Tasmania
Issues paper involved a literature search of contemporary policy and service delivery approaches in Australia and elsewhere and a demand analysis using available demographic and service data for consideration by the Disability Services Ministerial Advisory Council of Tasmania.
Needs Analysis for Multipurpose Centres – Tasman Peninsula and May Shaw for Department of Health and Human Services Tasmania
These two projects informed budget decisions of the Tasmanian Government and used available statistical data enhanced by stakeholder surveys.
Linkzone Review for Office of Youth Affairs Tasmania
An evaluation of an innovative internet portal developed by the Tasmanian Office of Youth Affairs under the 'Networking the Nation' Program involving an online survey and one-to-one interviews.
Rural Support Tasmania Organisational Review
Undertook a broad organisational review of Rural Support Tasmania Incorporated including reviews designed to appraise staff and check the health and wellbeing of counsellors.
Best Practice Response to the Accommodation Needs of Young Homeless Women for Anglicare Tasmania
A review involving a literature review, consultation and interviews with similar services to identify best practice for two Supported Accommodation Assistance Program shelters to reshape their services and better cater to the needs of young homeless women.
Evaluation of Transitional Support Model: Children accompanying parents in supported accommodation for Housing Tasmania
Included review of current national literature, one-to-one interviews with parents, service staff, other stakeholders and the Department of Health and Human Services.
Unemployed Workers Program Evaluation for TasCOSS
A review of job creation programs in Tasmania including a written questionnaire to stakeholders and in-depth one-on-one interviews.
Placement and Support Service Evaluation for Anglicare Tasmania
Detailed the effectiveness of the service, examined the results of a recruitment campaign to attract host families and provided recommendations on future directions for the service.
Bail Option Program Evaluation for Anglicare Tasmania
Evaluated an accommodation program designed to place and support young people to stay with host families including interviews with participants, host families and other key stakeholders such as youth shelters, child protection agencies and other referral/service delivery agencies.
Evaluation of Private Rental Support Scheme for Housing Tasmania
Determined the effectiveness of services provided under the Private Rental Support Scheme including analysis of financial inputs and service data with a snapshot of service users and interviews with stakeholders.
Evaluation of Supported Residential Facilities - Effectiveness and Viability for Housing Tasmania
These two concurrent evaluations were undertaken to recommend improvements for Burnie Lodge and Indigo Lodge, and to explore potential models for similar proposed facilities; included national literature review, analysis of financial inputs and options, one-to-one interviews with tenants, and interviews with stakeholders.
Evaluation of Community Housing Services for Red Shield Housing Association
Evaluated the viability and effectiveness of a community housing model and included research of current national literature on community housing, modelling of financial inputs and options, and interviews with tenants, Departmental and Red Shield staff.
Bi-cultural Community Health Program Evaluation for Australian Red Cross
An assessment of the statewide structure and performance of a program that assisted refugees, new arrivals, migrants and overseas students to access health and information services, improve their health and wellbeing, and address cultural issues such as female genital mutilation.
Community Consultation, Chigwell House for Mission Australia
This consultation involved sensitive engagement of the greater Chigwell community in discussions on future uses and redevelopment of an historical building.
Playgroup of Tasmania
Review to restructure four separate entities into a single new statewide organisation including development of a new governance model, new Constitution and organisational model.
Tasmanian Youth Consultative Committee (TYCC) Evaluation for the Youth Network of Tasmania
Examined the governance and operational structure of TYCC, involving extensive consultation with the youth sector, current and past Committee members and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
Unemployed Workers Program Evaluation for TasCOSS
A review of job creation programs in Tasmania including a written questionnaire to stakeholders and in-depth one-on-one interviews.
Children and Families Strategy 2012-2017 for Glenorchy City Council Tasmania
A single plan for children aged from birth to 12 years placing children in a family context; involved extensive mapping, consultation, analysis and validation prior to being adopted by Council.
Community Leadership Program for Glenorchy City Council
The program provided a set of resources to assist mentors to support aspiring community leaders in Southern Tasmania.
Developing Council Youth Plans – The First One or the Next One: A Local Government Guide
A resource designed to support councils to undertake youth planning and evaluation appropriate to their specific circumstances.
Talking Participation Taking Action: A Local Government Guide to Youth Participation for the Office of Children and Youth Affairs Tasmania
A three-part resource designed to encourage councils to design and implement models of youth participation appropriate to their specific circumstances including Approaches to Youth Participation, Case Studies and Resources and Youth Participation Tools.
ShowSkills Program for the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (in partnership with the Federal Council of Agricultural Societies)
Developed and delivered resources and business management training for agricultural show societies around Australia following comprehensive survey of needs and two national pilots.
Click here to see Manual 1
Click here to see Manual 2
Wineskills for the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
This resource and training was developed in association with Wine Food Tourism to support business planning and marketing for small and medium sized wineries around Australia and included case studies, templates and financial models.
Road safety
Bass Coast Community Road Safety Strategy 2014-2017 for the Bass Coast Community Road Safety Committee
An evidence-based Road Safety Strategy informed by local knowledge to provide a practical base for developing annual action plans. The project involved analysis of data, development of priorities, facilitated validation workshop, and writing a plain English three-year strategy annual action plan.
Hampton Park Community Road Safety Strategy 2012-2014 for the City of Casey
A community-based Road Safety Strategy developed with a broad range of stakeholders from the Hampton Park community and Victorian Government following two fatal road crashes involving young people.
Models for Future Delivery of Early Childhood Traffic Safety Education for VicRoads
A program logic was developed as part of the business case to reconceptualise the delivery of early childhood traffic safety education program and resulted in a new outsourced model with community-based statewide provider.
arrive alive Action Plan 2012 to 2017 for VicRoads
Undertook Victoria-wide public consultations and facilitated discussions with local government around Victoria on local road safety issues.
Walking School Bus: A guide for parents and teachers for VicHealth
A step-by-step web-based guide designed for teachers, parents of school-age children and local government project staff wishing to establish a walking school bus in their area.
Victorian Community Road Safety Strategy Review for VicRoads
Involved literature review of community based programs; consultation with RoadSafe Councils, the Saferoads program and other key stakeholders; analysis of their input and development of a recommended model; and implementation support.
Fire and emergency management
Delivery of a Professional Development Strategy across 10 Local Councils most affected by the 2009 bushfires (2013-14) for the Department of State Development, Business and Innovation Victoria
This capacity building had a dual focus – to develop each council’s role in supporting community recovery, and for each council to be able to better manage the internal impact of a disaster on the Council organisation. The project included the design and development of resources; delivery of professional development workshops; strengthening regional recovery networks; building community engagement capacity; and improving internal council business through workforce management; resource sharing; and business continuity. The suite of resources targets councillors, executive and management staff, emergency management and recovery staff, and all other council staff.
Rural Fire Services Audit Review for Rural Fire Services NSW
PDF undertook a review of an original audit completed in 2012 that contained 53 findings and recommendation. PDF was engaged to review and report on the degree to which the recommendations and been addressed; assess the current risks to the organisation in regard to the 53 findings areas; undertake comparative analysis of the change in risk between the 2012 audit and the current risk assessment; and propose recommendations actions in regard to the 53 finding areas – particularly the areas where the responses to the 2012 recommendations were deemed as ‘requiring additional actions’.
Response to draft Emergency Management Legislation for Municipal Association of Victoria
Facilitation of local government workshops and preparation of a collective response to proposed changes to emergency management arrangements in Victoria.
Disaster Resilience Evaluation for Australian Red Cross
An impact evaluation of a national disaster preparedness community education program – REDiPlan.
Latrobe Disaster Recovery Plan for Latrobe City Council
Benalla Disaster Recovery Plan for the Rural City of Benalla
Tasmania Fire Service Strategic Plan
Facilitated strategic planning process with 50 senior staff and developed a strategic plan and cascaded business plans with the senior management group.
United Fire Fighters Union Strategic Plan
This inaugural process and plan involved consideration of governance and operational issues prior to setting the direction of the plan and included professional development of the executive in developing and using a strategic framework.
Tasmanian Volunteer Fire Brigades Association Strategic Plan
This process was designed to recognise the volunteer nature and resource capacity of the organisation and addressed increased member engagement, strategic relationships and the positioning of the organisation externally, as well as internal development and sustainability issues.
Bushfire Recovery Unit Operational Planning
Facilitated Board, staff and community members in identifying key tasks for managing out the activities of the Bushfire Recovery Unit following the disastrous bushfires in Tasmania in 2013.
Integrated Fire Management Planning Guide 2010 for the State of Victoria
Designed to assist local fire management planning committees meet their obligations to develop, implement and monitor fire management plans as prescribed by the Victorian Government following the Black Saturday bush fires.
