Wellbeing and Inclusion Plan

Wellbeing grows from the ground up

Across the Barossa, people, community organisations, volunteers and local partners contribute every day to making our communities strong, connected and inclusive.

Wellbeing is something we build together. Council’s role is to create the conditions for people and communities to thrive, and to strengthen the networks, places and opportunities that already exist.

The Wellbeing and Inclusion Plan 2026–2030, endorsed by Council on 18 August 2026, sets out how Council will work together with community and partners over the next four years to strengthen wellbeing and inclusion across the Barossa.

The Plan is organised around four themes: being well, being included, being connected and being empowered. Under each theme sit the focus areas Council, community and partners will work on together, eleven in all.

Each focus area sets a four-year objective for 2030, and progress against every one of them is read through the same four questions: How does this feel? Are we doing what we said we would? Are the basics right? Who's taking part, and who's missing?

Theme 1 - Being Well

1.1 Active living and movement.

1.2 Healthy living.

1.3 Mental wellbeing and resilience.

Theme 2 - Being Included

2.1 Inclusive places and participation.

2.2 Cultural safety and respect.

2.3 An easy way into Council.

Theme 3 - Being Connected

3.1 Belonging and connection.

3.2 Volunteering and contribution.

3.3 Community voice and communication.

Theme 4 - Being Empowered

4.1 Lifelong learning and skills.

4.2 Confidence, purpose and leadership.

The Wellbeing & Inclusion Plan brings together Council’s work across wellbeing, inclusion and public health into one clear framework.

Council has a range of responsibilities under legislation and regional planning requirements. Rather than managing these as separate pieces of work, we have brought them together so they can be reflected in how Council plans, delivers services, invests, and works with the community.

This includes Council’s responsibilities under the Disability Inclusion Act 2018 (SA) and the South Australian Public Health Act 2011, as well as regional public health planning.

Why bring them together?

These responsibilities are closely connected. The places we create, the services we provide, the way we engage with people and where we invest all contribute to community wellbeing and inclusion.

Bringing them together means:

• less duplication across Council;
• shared evidence to understand community needs;
• connected actions across services and projects;
• stronger community voice in the work that matters;
• more connected ways to participate, using different platforms, networks and opportunities to bring the right people, skills and experience into Council’s work;
• clearer links between priorities, investment and outcomes; and
• more consistent reporting on what Council is doing and the difference it is making.

The road so far, and what's ahead

Strong foundations take time to build. This timeline shows how the work has moved forward with our key milestones, with each stage adding what's needed for the next, from listening and understanding to laying the groundwork to delivering and learning together.

This Plan is delivered with the community, not to it. There are several ways to be part of it, each suited to different levels of time commitment and platforms for connection.

The Barossa Wellbeing Network

The Network brings community members, organisations and partners together to deliver the Plan. Within it, four Lifespan Action Groups develop their own action plans: Early Years (0-12), Youth (13-25), Adults (26-55), and Older Adults (56+).

The Wellbeing Alliance

More than 60 partner organisations, services and grassroots groups meet every three months to share what they are seeing across the region and align their effort.

The Community Voice Register - Coming Soon

The Register is being built. It will be a way to contribute ideas and feedback on what matters most to you, without having to join a group or attend meetings. Keep an eye on our website for more information soon.

Get involved

Get involved through the Barossa Wellbeing Hub - wellbeingbarossa.com.au/contact

Email wellbeing@barossa.sa.gov.au or call 08 8563 8444.