Ballina – LGA

• Population 46,287 people, 9% of the North Coast population. Projected to increase by 6% by 2031 (compared to 5% increase North Coast). 
• Population density: 97 residents per km2 (17 per km2 North Coast).
• 4% identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (6% North Coast).
• Median age 48 (47 North Coast, 39 NSW).
• 4% of population born in non-English speaking countries (1% North Coast, 19% NSW, 16% Australia).
• 26% aged 65 years or over, projected to increase by 19% by 2031 (18% increase North Coast and 29% NSW).

• Less than 1 in 5 children in Ballina LGA were assessed as vulnerable in one or more areas of early childhood development.
• Fully immunised children rates:
• 92% of 1-year-old children (94% in NSW and Australia)
• 88% of 2-year-old children (92% NSW and Australia)
• 94% of 5-year-olds (94% NSW and Australia).

• 58% of people aged 65 years and over have at least one long-term health condition.
• 3% of the population live with dementia (2% NSW and Australia). Expected to increase as the 65 years and over population increases.
• 59% of respondents to the survey reported the ageing population is one of the most serious health concerns in the community.
• 47% of respondents found accessing services for older people difficult. Challenges were difficulty in organising services and not knowing what is available.

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 partnership with Aboriginal Medical Services across the region to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal peoples, families and community. Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service provides services to the Aboriginal communities across the LGA.

• 23% of people had an Aboriginal health check in Richmond Valley – Coastal 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:

• Training programs
• Exercise and fitness
• Support with daily living/personal care
• Yarning circles
• Community health education events
• Men’s health
• Training Programs

• 67 per 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 $737 ($652 North Coast) (NSW $813). Second highest average personal income in the region
• Less than 1% of people report very low proficiency in English (5% NSW)
• 3 per 1,000 people experienced domestic and family violence (NSW 4 per 1,000). Lowest in the North Coast region and has reduced by 6% in recent years.
• Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD) score 1,015. Ballina is placed as the second highest ranked LGA in the region, and is in the eighth decline nationally, indicating higher levels of socio-economic advantage.

• 2 per 1,000 people experience homelessness (4 in 1,000 in North Coast and NSW, 9 in 1,000 in Australia)
• 3 per 1,000 people at risk of homelessness (4 in 1,000 in North Coast, NSW and 7 in 1,000 in Australia).
• 28% single or lone households (25% NSW, 26% Australia) and 4% group homes (4% NSW and Australia). Social isolation can increase health risks.
• Adequate access to affordable housing is fundamental to the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. There is extremely limited availability of affordable housing in the Ballina LGA. Of the 72 rental properties available:
• 3 were affordable by a couple with 2 children on minimum wage and receiving family tax benefits
• No properties were affordable for singles or couples on age pension, job seeker, youth allowance or a single person on minimum wage.

Risks

• Current smoking
  • Ballina LGA – 15%
  • 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).
  • Ballina LGA – 27%
  • NSW – 18%
• Physical activity (aged 15 years and over, who did not meet 2014 physical activiti guidelines).
  • Ballina LGA – 72%
  • NSW – 77%
• Inadequate fruit intake
  • Ballina LGA – 54%
  • NSW – 55%
• Overweight (not obese)
  • Ballina LGA – 33%
  • Ballina LGA – 33%
  • NSW – 34%
• Obese
  • Ballina LGA – 31%
  • 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
• Art and cultural programs

Which do you see as the most serious health concerns in your community?

• Ageing population
• Mental health issues
• Drug and alcohol use
• Lack of access to health care

• Just under 1 in 5 people have 2 or more chronic conditions.
• The most common chronic conditions are anxiety and asthma.

Opportunity: strengthen preventative health programs, and provide education opportunities in partnership with LHDs and community organisations to ensure early intervention and prevention for chronic disease.

Cancer screening participation:

• 45% National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NSW 40%)
• 58% BreastScreen Australia (NSW 50%)
• 52% National Cervical Screening Program (NSW 46%).

The most diagnosed cancers:

• Skin cancer
• Urogenital cancer
• Breast cancer

The cancer with the highest death rate is respiratory cancer.

Shared experiences with mental health:

• 1 in 10 people needed to access a mental health service but couldn’t
• 5 in 10 people reported mental health as one of the most serious health concerns in the community
• 6 in 10 found it difficult to access a psychologist, counsellor or social worker.
• The top challenges to access mental health services included:
  • cost
  • lack of services
  • difficult to organise appointments.
• In Richmond-Valley Coastal SA3 rate of suicide deaths 17 per 100,000 population (11 per 100,000 population NSW).
• Over 1 in 5 people in the Northern NSW Local Health District (LHD) area experience high or very high levels of psychological distress.
• Just over 1 in 10 residents in Richmond-Valley Coastal SA3 accessed GP mental health services (highest in the region).

Opportunity: strengthen preventive health programs and partnerships with community organisations to plan, respond, and support community mental health and recover from environmental disasters.

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.

• 18 general practices
• 76 general practitioners
• For every full time GP there are 625 people
• 12 pharmacies
• 57 dentists.

Ballina District Hospital is a rural community hospital providing a range of public healthcare services (emergency department, general, renal, rehabilitation, surgical services, medical imaging, community health).

Opportunity: Continue to work in partnership to support recruitment and retention of the healthcare workforce.

• 57% of ED presentations are for lower urgency care (52 % North Coast, 48% NSW).
• After-hours GP attendances rate in Richmond-Valley Coastal SA3 is 5% (Australia 17%). Declining rates of bulk billing for medical care impact affordability and access for some residents.

Opportunity: improve access and use of primary care alternatives.

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 Ballina LGA.