Macedon Ranges community urged to participate in 2025 Active Living Census

Healthy Loddon Campaspe (previously known as Healthy Heart of Victoria) is a regional initiative aimed at improving health outcomes in the Loddon Campaspe region and was developed in response to the region showing higher than Victorian average rates of obesity, chronic disease and high-risk health behaviours.

Healthy Loddon Campaspe's 2025 Active Living Census (ALC) has been launched and is now available for Macedon Ranges residents to complete online.

Healthy Loddon Campaspe is delivering the 2025 ALC in partnership with the six local government areas of Greater Bendigo, Campaspe, Central Goldfields, Loddon, Macedon Ranges and Mount Alexander shires.

Healthy Loddon Campaspe (HLC) projects are designed to focus on those parts of the community that are the least supported to help encourage healthy eating and get more people, more active, more often.

The Active Living Census was conducted first in Bendigo in 2014, and then expanded out to other Healthy Loddon Campaspe councils in 2019. It is a vital regional survey that will collect important data on residents' health, wellbeing, and lifestyle habits to guide future community planning and investment.

Covering key topics such as physical activity, nutrition, life satisfaction, and access to recreational opportunities, the ALC will provide a snapshot of how people in the Macedon Ranges and the broader region live and what barriers they may face to staying healthy and active.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council Mayor Dom Bonanno urged all residents to take part by completing the online census and noted "Much like the Australian Bureau of Statistics' nation-wide Census every five years, this locally targeted Active Living Census really helps us to get a clearer picture of health-related statistics and needs within our area, which we can then draw on in considering future initiatives.

"I strongly encourage all Macedon Ranges residents, no matter your age or any other demographic, to fill out this anonymous survey for the benefit of our broader community."

Completing the census online is easy, anonymous, and takes around 15 minutes. Everyone who completes the census online will be eligible for weekly prize draws.

To assist Macedon Ranges residents in filling out the survey, Macedon Ranges Shire Council will host a number of drop-in sessions locally throughout June.

To complete the Active Living Census visit go.healthyloddoncampaspe.au/alc and for more information visit www.healthyloddoncampaspe.au/alc