Bellingen – LGA
Health Needs Assessment 2025 – 2028
Bellingen local government area (LGA)
An overview of the Bellingen local government area (LGA) health needs is provided. The Health Needs Assessment (HNA) process utilised a comprehensive, mixed-methods approach to collect and analyse data on the health and service needs of the North Coast region.
Key Information
- Bellingen LGA – Factsheet
- Key messages – Demographics and Social Determinants
- Key messages – Primary Healthcare in the region
- Explore more LGAs in the North Coast, NSW – View menu
Health Needs Assessment Bellingen LGA
Bellingen local government area (LGA) is on the Traditional Lands of peoples of the Gumbayngirr Nation. Bellingen LGA neighbours Coffs Harbour, Nambucca Valley, Clarence Valley and Armidale LGAs and is part of the Coffs Harbour SA3 and Mid North Coast Local Health District.
Bellingen LGA is predominantly rural, with several small townships and villages including the main towns of Urunga (coastal), Bellingen (valley), and Dorrigo (mountain plateau). The geography ranges from coastal dune and beach areas, river valleys and floodplains, hinterland and escarpment areas and volcanic landscapes on the Dorrigo plateau. Over half of the LGA is classed as national park or state forest, including World Heritage protected areas.
The main industries include agriculture, forestry and fishing, manufacturing, construction and care and assistance industries. It is a popular tourist destination for holiday makers and day trippers.
Download Bellingen HNA Factsheet
Footnote: throughout this document ‘survey’ refers to the 2024 Better Health Community survey undertaken as part of the Health Needs Assessment 2025-28 consultation process
Key messages
DEMOGRAPHICS AND SOCIAL DETERMINANTS
- Population 13,259, 2% of the North Coast population. Projected to increase by 2% by 2031 (compared to 5% increase North Coast).
- Population density: 8 residents per km2 (17 per km2 North Coast).
- 4% identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (6% North Coast).
- Median age 50 (47 North Coast, 39 NSW).
- 26% aged 65 years or over, projected to increase by 7% by 2031 (18% increase North Coast and 29% NSW).
- Nearly 1 in 4 children assessed as vulnerable in one or more areas of early childhood development.
- 1 in 2 found it difficult to access a local GP for a child in their care.
- Bellingen LGA has the highest presence of post-natal depression in the North Coast. Three times higher than the North Coast average.
- 1 in 2 found it difficult to access a specialist doctor for a child in their care.
- Opportunity: Understand reasons for low immunisation rates and work with community and healthcare providers on improvement strategies.
- Fully immunised children rates:
- 85% of 1-year-old children (94% in NSW and Australia)
- 77% of 2-year-old children (92% NSW and Australia)
- 83% of 5-year-olds (94% NSW and Australia).
- Opportunity: Work in partnership to improve education, support, community and peer-based services for children and families.
•54% of people aged 65 years and over have at least one long-term health condition.
2% of the population live with dementia (2% NSW and Australia). Expected to increase as the 65 years and over population increases.
62% of survey respondents reported the ageing population is one of the most serious health concerns in the community.
67% of survey respondents found accessing services for older people difficult.
Did you know: Care Finders is a free service. It exists to support vulnerable people – who have no one else who can support them – to learn about, apply for and set up support services. Find out more about Care Finders.
Healthy North Coast works in partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal peoples, families and communities. Galambila Aboriginal Health Service provides a range of primary health care services for Aboriginal people and their families residing in Gumbaynggirr country.
- 26% of people had an Aboriginal health check in Coffs Harbour – SA3
Connection to country and culture is key for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples social and emotional wellbeing.
Programs that Aboriginal peoples identified to help keep Aboriginal communities healthy and strong:
- Exercise and fitness
- Yarning circles
- 62 in every 1,000 people need assistance due to age or severe disability (75 per 1,000 North Coast, 58 per 1,000 NSW).
- Median total weekly personal income $613 ($652 North Coast) (NSW $813).
- 4 per 1,000 people experienced domestic and family violence (NSW 4 per 1,000) Reduced 5% since 2021.
- Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD) score 981. Of the 12 LGAs in the North Coast region, Bellingen is ranked 8th out of the 12 LGAs for disadvantage.
- People who live in rural areas of the LGA are more likely to experience disadvantage in accessing healthcare.
- Just over 9 in 10 survey respondents noted housing availability as a concern for the community. There is limited availability of affordable housing in the Bellingen LGA. Adequate access to affordable housing is fundamental to the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
- Adequate access to affordable housing is fundamental to the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
- 2 in 1,000 people experience homelessness (4 in 1,000 in North Coast and NSW, 9 in 1,000 in Australia).
- 2 in 1,000 people at risk of homelessness (4 in 1,000 in North Coast, NSW and 7 in 1,000 in Australia).
- 29% single or lone households (25% NSW) and 4% group homes (4% NSW).
- Social isolation can increase health risks.
Key messages
PRIMARY HEALTHCARE NEEDS IN THE LGA
Risks
- Current smoking
- Bellingen LGA – 18%
- NSW – 12%
- Alcohol consumption (estimated number of persons aged 15 years and over who consumed 5 or more standard alcoholic drinks on any day in the last 12 months at least monthly).
- Bellingen LGA – 22%
- NSW – 18%
- Physical activity (aged 15 years and over, who did not meet 2014 physical activity guidelines).
- Bellingen LGA – 79%
- NSW – 77%
- Inadequate fruit intake
- Bellingen LGA – 54%
- NSW – 55%
- Overweight (not obese)
- Bellingen LGA – 34%
- NSW – 34%
- Obese
- Bellingen LGA – 39%
- NSW – 31%
When you were asked….
What kind of programs would you like more of, to keep you and your community healthy and strong?
- Exercise and fitness
- Health screening services
- Women’s health
Which do you see as the most serious health concerns in your community?
- Ageing population
- Mental health issues
- Lack of access to health care
1 in every 5 people have 2 or more chronic conditions. The most common chronic conditions are:
o Anxiety
o Osteoarthritis
o Asthma
o Depression.
Cancer screening participation:
- 42% National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NSW 40%)
- 53% BreastScreen Australia (NSW 50%)
- 47% National Cervical Screening Program (NSW 46%).
The most diagnosed cancers:
- Urogenital cancer
- Skin cancer
- Breast cancer.
The cancer with the highest death rate is bowel cancer.
Shared experiences with mental health:
- 4 in 10 people reported mental health as one of the most serious health concerns in the community
- 1 in 10 people needed to access a mental health service but couldn’t
- 6 in 10 found it hard to access a psychologist, counsellor of social worker.
- The top three challenges to accessing mental health services:
- Cost
- Lack of services
- Difficult to organise.
- Bellingen LGA has a high presence of ADHD and depression.
- In Coffs Harbour SA3 the rate of suicide deaths 16 per 100,000 population (11 per 100,000 population NSW).
Opportunity: Explore and implement innovative approaches to strengthen prevention, treatment and mental health support programs suited to a rural area. This should include increased education and support for community members and healthcare providers, and access to digital based services.
Did you know: Medicare Mental Health Centres can help you access the local mental health services and supports that are right for you. No referral needed, access by phoning 1800 595 212 or visit the website.
Community health centres in Bellingen and Dorrigo provide a range of primary and allied health services:
- 20 General practitioners
- 5 general practices
- For every full time GP there are 769 patients
- 3 pharmacies
- 6 dentists.
- Bellingen District Hospital is a small rural facility providing emergency care, general medical and surgical services, and some allied health services. Residents may need to travel to larger centres like Coffs Harbour for services which can present challenges.
- Dorrigo Multi-Purpose Service provides emergency services, aged care services and a limited range of community and allied health services via outreach from Coffs Harbour Hospital.
- After-hours GP attendances rate in Coffs Harbour SA3 is 4% (Australia 17%). Access to after-hours GP services remains a challenge and may contribute to higher ED admissions.
- 75% of ED presentations are for lower urgency care (52 % North Coast, 48% NSW). Residents raised wanting more support for alternatives to the ED when no GPs are available.
Opportunity: Enhance digital health services and education to improve inclusive access to care, particularly in rural areas. Continue to work in partnership to support recruitment and retention of the healthcare workforce.
Did you know: If you need medical advice and care, call Healthdirect for free, 24/7 on 1800 022 222 and speak to a registered nurse.
HNC commissions a range of community-based services to address local health needs. These include:
- Aboriginal health
- Alcohol & Other Drugs
- Mental Health
- Youth specific
- Integrated Team Care
View more information about the services available in Bellingen LGA.
About the North Coast Health Needs Assessment Map
The North Coast Local Government Area (LGA) Health Needs Assessment map identifies our 12 LGAs. The map can be used to navigate to specific LGA findings within our region.
The health needs assessment helps the Primary Health Network (PHN):
• Understand the health status and needs of local communities
• Identify existing services and where gaps may exist
Engage with community members and service providers
• The 2024 assessment informs decisions for the 2025–2028 planning cycle, guiding how HNC and partners commission services that respond to local needs.
To explore data findings, LGA factsheets, and key messages for a specific LGA, you can either click on the region in the hotspot map or scroll down to select your preferred LGA from the list.
Explore more: North Coast LGA Factsheets and information
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