1. Policy & alignment & challenges: Alcohol Harm Prevention, & Preventing Violence Against Women,
Philippa McLean, Team Leader Health Planning
Elizabeth Meade, Community Safety Planner
Long history City of Whittlesea MPHWP prioritising
Family Violence
Alcohol
Gaming in MPHWP
Strengthened in our current plan – with cross organisational approaches for all
I also will touch on our Crime Prevention and Community Safety Strategy and how integration of the Alcohol policy intent and actions supports and reinforces a rationale for action

2. Overview Contextual factors Priority setting criteria tool (refined)
MPWHP -> Adopted Policy, Strategy/Action Plans
Preventing Alcohol Harm Policy
What we are learning: Facilitators and barriers
evidence readiness, resources & capacity, partnerships
Public Health Approach OR Community Safety Crime Prevention
Long term
Policy alignment & integration
Contextual factors – snapshot of some of the issues specific to our outer suburban growth location
Priority setting criteria tool (refined) useful to assess why issues should be prioritised but also why some proposed actions didn’t work in monitoring progress and evaluation MPWHP -> Adopted Policy, Strategy/Action Plans
Facilitators and barriers:
Evidence
Readiness, resources & capacity
Policy alignment
State Policy alcohol regulation
Public Health Approach OR Community Safety Crime
Phases and stages –> long term change
All work long term – someone I recently met with who has moved out of local government referred to the slow nature of change – that resonated with me and I suspect will with many of you
Alcohol Harm prevention policy & Action Plan - adopted by Council in August 2016 – concrete progress on implementation limited to date

3. = Time pressures = Financial vulnerability (Food Insecurity)
Contextual factors
Housing affordability
Age profile young - culturally diverse
Fewer local job opportunities -> car dependence, long commutes, lack of transport infrastructure -> congestion
= Time pressures = Financial vulnerability (Food Insecurity)
High rate of family violence & gambling losses
Differential access to health & human services
Packaged liquor outlets (big box) -> supermarket monopoly - dominating retail space
Age profile young - culturally diverse 140 countries 1200 Aboriginal people
Growth areas, rural and established areas
Fewer local job opportunities -> car dependence & long commute times (holistic housing affordability add in cost of cars maintenance petrol tolls)
Lack of transport infrastructure -> congestion
= Time pressures for families = Financial pressures and even food insecurity
Differential access to health and human services
High rates of family violence
High gambling losses
Licenced venues (on-premises) low - > public violence/ amenity issues not significant
We don’t have licenced venue outlet density
the night time economy issues –
NEED A PROACTIVE APPROACH Packaged liquor outlets (big box) -> supermarket monopoly - dominating retail space

4. Priority setting Evidence criteria Impact Prevalence Selectivity
Is there a clear causal link between identified issue and health and community wellbeing outcomes?
What are the costs in terms of and health and community wellbeing outcomes (life expectancy or quality of life)?
Prevalence
Is the problem widely experienced? (local data c/w national and state)
Selectivity
Does the issue disproportionally affect some groups? (a focus on inequalities including gender)
Do these groups suffer other disadvantages? (a focus on health equity)
Efficacy & Feasibility criteria
Amenability to change
Evidence that interventions effective in addressing the problem/ intermediate outcomes
Is there any evidence that interventions have been effective for the target population/context (transferability)
Is there capacity to work with the community to identify issues and to develop potential interventions?
Readiness & Feasibility criteria
Resources & capacity
Capacity and resources to act on this priority (ie. financial, workforce, and infrastructure) and or undertake advocacy?
Is it achievable and realistic within the resources we have?
Does the priority provide opportunities to attract additional resources?
Partnerships opportunities
Is the issue a priority for departments, key local and regional partner organisations
Are there partnership opportunities? (new or existing)
Alignment
with community priorities identified through Council Plan community consultation and engagement process
State Health & Wellbeing Plan
Policy (State & Federal)
This tool guide our work developing the health plan
We used it last time and have refined it realising as we monitor our current plan
I won’t go into evidence and data behind our work – given previous speakers but happy to provide background paper links to our policy action plan
Other than to talk about the role of evidence in priority setting and policy
EVIDENCE – Critical to Public Health approach
EFFICACY – Transferable effective models
Review process of plan highlights we have at times paid insufficient attention to the readiness and feasibility criteria

5. MPHWP Priorities
5.2 Council will support action to prevent family violence and sexual assault by addressing the underlying causes of gender-based violence and promoting equal and respectful relationships in the community
Adopt a strategic framework for whole of Council action on addressing prevention of violence
Establish a cross-council working group to embed gender equity in Council policy

6. MPHWP Priorities
5.3 Council will support action to increase community safety, enhance perceptions of community safety and prevent crime across the municipality. Partner with Victoria Police to establish a local Community Safety Committee* Prioritise opportunities in Local Area Community Safety Plan with a focus on social prevention* and CPTED

7. MPHWP Priorities
5.15 Council will develop policy to support and encourage health promoting community settings to reduce risk factors for preventable chronic disease Develop an Alcohol Management Policy and amendments to the Planning Scheme to support implementation of the Policy 5.16 Council will work in partnership with community and service providers to reduce and minimise the negative social, economic and health impacts of gambling. Review and develop the City of Whittlesea Responsible Gambling Strategy.

8. Preventing Alcohol Related Harm Policy Objectives
 Ensure planning is informed by a comprehensive understanding of alcohol access and availability in the local context and data related to alcohol consumption, misuse and associated harms is monitored. 
Raise awareness of the significant harms associated with increased alcohol access and availability and build support for implementation of local, responsive evidence based harm minimisation and prevention approaches.
Demonstrate leadership at an organisational level which supports cultural change and models social norms that support positive health outcomes for the community.
Maximise community access to healthy inclusive, family friendly sports settings, community facilities and community events.
Strengthen Council capacity to influence planning decisions and local liquor licencing outcomes.
Take copies – adopted August 2016
The City of Whittlesea recognises evidence of the strong correlation between increased access and availability of alcohol in the community and a broad range of health and social harms. Council is commited to enhancing community safety, amenity, health and wellbeing in the City of Whittlesea through support for the responsible management and regulation of alcohol in the Municipality and a proactive approach to preventing alcohol related harm.
Cultural change and social norms approach – common to GE and PVAW work
That’s a conscious deliberate approach and reflects policy integration and collaboration across all the relevant areas
Family friendly is accesible language that works in communication
The background paper explores concepts eg cultures of masculinity and concepts relevant to PVAW AND GE

9. Preventing Alcohol Related Harm Policy Principles
Harm reduction Council recognises that whilst alcohol has a valid role in our social and economic environment it is a drug with potential harmful impacts. As such, consideration of supply and availability in our local community requires more careful assessment and regulation than other retail commodities. Partnerships An integrated collaborative approach to planning across Council Departments, community organisations and the community with a broad range of relevant stakeholders is required to effect positive community outcomes. This will include but not be limited to Council departments, residents, community organisations, Victoria Police and the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Committee. Advocacy Community engagement and awareness raising is essential to support a shared understanding of the issues and a joint approach to advocacy. Integrated Planning Integrated planning and advocacy will support shared outcomes across Council priorities including Community Safety, Family Violence Prevention, Community Building and Prevention of Alcohol related Harm.
Harm reduction - concept not normal commodity – regulation
Partnership – CSCPC Strategic planning champions essential cant be underestimated
Advocacy
IntergRATED

10. Preventing Alcohol Related Harm Policy Rationale :
There is strong evidence of the correlation between increased access to and availability of alcohol in the community and significant social harms including:
family violence, crime, injury and chronic disease. This provides a strong rationale for Council to develop strategies to reduce the harmful effects that can arise from alcohol availability.
The role of local government in broad :
Monitoring
Support for young people and families which strengthen protective factors and minimise risk factors for early and risky alcohol use
Planning and liquor licencing
Strengthening policy and practice in Council owned facilities and at Council events
Workplace initiatives and policies
Articulation of Council’s position and expectations in relation to preventing alcohol related harm is essential to ensuring a strategic approach which is responsive to the local context.
Take copies – adopted August 2016
The City of Whittlesea recognises evidence of the strong correlation between increased access and availability of alcohol in the community and a broad range of health and social harms. Council is commited to enhancing community safety, amenity, health and wellbeing in the City of Whittlesea through support for the responsible management and regulation of alcohol in the Municipality and a proactive approach to preventing alcohol related harm.

11. Preventing Alcohol Related Harm Action Plan
Priority area for focus: Intelligence gathering and monitoring Advocacy and communications Leadership & policy (Workplace, Sports & recreation, Council facilities, Event management, Sponsorship) Liquor licencing (focus packaged liquor) Council facilities and events
Priority area for focus 1:
Intelligence gathering and monitoring
Advocacy and communications
Leadership & policy
Liquor licencing
Council facilities and events
Workplace, Sports & recreation, Council facilities, Event management Sponsorship
Workplace Drug and Alcohol Policy was endorsed by ELT Schedule of training to support workplace policy, for all staff and managers has commenced.
REINFORCED REPEATED IN CSCPS

12. Gendered social norms and alcohol
....it is the interaction between social norms relating to alcohol, and social norms relating to gender, that can increase the likelihood, frequency or severity of violence against women, not just the consumption of alcohol itself
Dr Lara Fergus, Director, Policy and Evaluation Our Watch 15 June 2016,
VicHealth Alcohol and Violence against Women Roundtable
Alcohol Policy & Gender Equity Strategy
VicHealth roundatable (invite only)
I found the insights from presentations compelling and affirming of our approach
This nuanced understanding but it reflects the early work of Vichealth in this space that has been so critical in building understanding and supporting work in local government
A settings approach which considers drinking environments which reinforce cultures of masculinity and dominance conquest aggression and violence are problematic
We need to address social norms relating to alcohol and to gender, not just the consumption of alcohol itself
This is particularly relevant to our sports settings:
the work to deliver equitable outcomes for women and girls has a long way to go – limited access to facilities, sports fields without lights pictures of the only the boys teams on the wall – reinforce and symbolize a culture which says women girls are not as important
So our work in sports clubs to address gender equity is as critical as our work to address drinking cultures – they are mutually reinforcing and their impact together is greater 

CARE IN COMMUNICATION – alcohol contributing factor which can exacerbate violence not CAUSAL
COUNTER norms and attitudes that position men’s drinking as an excuse for violence, or women’s drinking as a form of victim-blaming.

13. Facilitators and barriers
Policy Integration = mutually reinforcing
Public Health Approach OR Community Safety Crime
Public Policy alcohol regulation ->Joint advocacy
Evidence, readiness, resources & capacity
Long term
Policy Integration GE /PVAW/Gambling & Alcohol Harms = mutually reinforcing
Public Health Approach OR Community Safety Crime
Public Policy alcohol regulation ->Joint advocacy LGAODIF Liquor Licence review
Lots of work to go to improve the regulation of alcohol (and gambling)
- considering violence against women in policy debates about the promotion and physical and economic availability of alcohol will strengthen the advocacy
Evidence, readiness, resources & capacity
Long term

14. Readiness Evidence criteria Impact Prevalence Selectivity
Is there a clear causal link between identified issue and health and community wellbeing outcomes?
What are the costs in terms of and health and community wellbeing outcomes (life expectancy or quality of life)?
Prevalence
Is the problem widely experienced? (local data c/w national and state)
Selectivity
Does the issue disproportionally affect some groups? (a focus on inequalities including gender)
Do these groups suffer other disadvantages? (a focus on health equity)
Efficacy & Feasibility criteria
Amenability to change
Evidence that interventions effective in addressing the problem/ intermediate outcomes
Is there any evidence that interventions have been effective for the target population?
Is there capacity to work with the community to identify issues and to develop potential interventions?
Readiness & Feasibility criteria
Resources & capacity
Capacity and resources to act on this priority (ie. financial, workforce, and infrastructure) and or undertake advocacy?
Is it achievable and realistic within the resources we have?
Does the priority provide opportunities to attract additional resources?
Partnerships & Opportunities identified
Is the issue a priority for departments, key local and regional partner organisations
Are there partnership opportunities? (new or existing)
Alignment
with community priorities identified through Council Plan community consultation and engagement process
State Health & Wellbeing Plan
Policy (State & Federal)
Is there commitment from regional partners to deliver on this priority area?