Media Release

Gannawarra Shire Council is continuing its efforts to assist the community recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with responses from a recently completed survey to play a key role.

Conducted during July and August 2020, the COVID-19 Community Health, Wellbeing and Recovery Survey gauged how residents were coping during the COVID-19 pandemic and what support community members felt was needed to return to a COVID-Safe society.

“Two versions of the survey were developed, with 103 people completing the residential version and 28 responses received as part of the community groups and organisation survey,” Gannawarra Shire Council Chief Executive Officer, Tom O’Reilly said.

“Developed by Gannawarra Shire Council with the support of the Gannawarra Community Resilience Committee, these surveys asked residents and community groups what they had done differently since physical distancing measures were put in place in late March, as well as their views on health and wellbeing during this period.”

The residential version of the survey found that 63.4 per cent of respondents identified isolation and loneliness as the major challenge experienced at the time the survey was conducted, followed by poor mental health (30.5 per cent) and working from home (29.3 per cent).

The absence of organised sport during the pandemic was evident in responses received, with 44.83 per cent of those surveyed indicating that they had undertaken less physical activity and exercise during the pandemic, whilst 18.45 per cent of respondents stated that their alcohol consumption had increased.

More than three-quarters of respondents stated that the level of stress within their home had increased during the pandemic, with the challenges associated with home schooling, no sporting activities, less social connection and being stood down from work being the biggest impact on individuals and families.

“The survey results shows the importance of maintaining strong community connections, with Council continuing to work in partnership with a range of agencies on initiatives to keep connected with those who may be feeling isolated or lonely at this time,” Mr O’Reilly said.

“The need to advocate for improved access to health services, particularly mental health and telehealth, was another factor identified in the survey, as well as the need to identify gaps in access to digital technology and digital literacy, particularly for older people.”

The community group survey found that 50 per cent of organisations continued to meet during the pandemic, with the majority of these using the online platform Zoom for meetings.

Half of the respondents identified that improved hygiene practices, such as the use of hand sanitiser and sneeze screens, would be needed to resume activities and meetings, with volunteer training and small group sizes other factors that need to be considered.

“Although the most important priorities at this time are varied, the majority of responses focused on the need to protect community safety and to ensure that community events and activities are in a position to start up again when it is safe to do so,” Mr O’Reilly said.

“The responses also showed the importance of developing strategic planning opportunities between Council and community groups, particularly for those groups that run some of the Gannawarra’s major events, as well as access to funding opportunities to financially support the creation of COVIDsafe environments.

“Council thanks all residents and community groups that took the time to complete either version of the survey and looks forward to working together as we recover from the impacts of this pandemic.

“The Gannawarra Community Resilience Committee is using the results to inform COVID-19 recovery planning and to advocate for additional resources to support the Gannawarra community at this time.”

For a summary of survey responses, visit www.gsc.vic.gov.au/COVID-19_survey