10
Data scale and applicability
It is important to note that all of the above Council-wide
data are averages across a large population and nearly
100 km
2
geographic area - this can result in a loss of detail
or understanding regarding specific issues, characteristics, or
needs that may occur at a lower suburban scale within the
Council area, or within a particular community grouping. It is
important therefore to also ‘drill down’ further and identify
issues and risks that may be relevant at a more local scale.
This can be done via analysing the data at Ward or Statistical
Local Area (SLA) level, which is the scale at which data is
collected and presented by the ABS and PHIDU
2
regarding
socio-demographics and health (see map of SLAs at page 25).
When this is undertaken, it becomes clear that there are very
significant differences in health and socio-economic status in
suburbs and populations within the Council area – inequalities
which in turn have implications for the targeting of State and
Council programs to achieve outcomes across a range of key
measures, and to improve community wellbeing in the most
at-risk populations.
Priorities can be determined on the basis of where the risk
is highest ( or where there are multiple risks) and therefore
where a positive outcome is most desirable - and resources
and activities can be targeted accordingly.
Given the limited resources available to Council, a key aspect
of planning for health and wellbeing is to use the research and
consultation to determine priorities for action in the Public
Health and CommunityWellbeing Plan.
2
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) ; Public Health Information Development Unit (PHIDU).