.png)
Mitchell Shire Council has secured $200,000 in VicHealth funding over two years to lead an innovative, youth‑driven project aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm and strengthening community wellbeing.
The funding comes through the VicHealth Partners in Place program, with the possibility to extend the project for a further three years - bringing the potential total investment to $500,000.
This investment arrives at a critical time for Mitchell Shire, where alcohol-related harm continues to have a significant impact on local families and young people. Current indicators show 16% of residents are at increased risk of alcohol-related disease or injury with one in four family violence incidents involving alcohol. These figures highlight the urgent need for stronger, evidence-based approaches to alcohol regulation and community health.
The project will bring together leading researchers, public health experts and local government partners to better understand how alcohol availability, licensing decisions and planning processes shape community outcomes.
Mitchell Shire Council will work alongside the National Drug Research Institute at Curtin University, the Australian Urban Observatory at RMIT, Omnia Community Health, the Goulburn Valley Public Health Unit, the National Growth Areas Alliance, and partner councils Hume City Council and Hobsons Bay City Council.
Collectively, the partnership has leveraged more than $847,000 in in-kind contributions over five years, demonstrating a strong shared commitment to reducing alcohol harm across Victoria.
A central feature of the project is the creation of aYouth Advisory Group,launching in 2027. This group will give young people aged 15 to 25 a direct role in shaping how councils assess liquor licence applications and plan for healthier local environments.
Participants will learn how local government influences alcohol availability, share their lived experiences, and co-design tools and resources that embed youth perspectives in future decision-making.
Mitchell Shire Mayor John Dougall said the project represents a major step forward in addressing alcohol-related harm.
“Alcohol continues to have a real impact on families and young people in Mitchell Shire. This funding allows us to take a proactive, evidence-based approach and importantly, it ensures young people have a genuine voice in shaping the future of their communities," he said.
The project will also help Mitchell Shire prepare for future growth. While the municipality does not yet experience the volume of liquor licence applications seen in more established urban areas, development pressures are increasing.
Partnering with Hume City Council and Hobsons Bay City Council, that manage a broader range of licence types, will allow the project to test new approaches and ensure the tools developed are relevant across diverse settings.
During the coming years, the project aims to strengthen the evidence base available to councils, embed more equitable and health-focused licensing practices, and support advocacy for policy reform that reflects the experiences of young people.
Further information about the Youth Advisory Group and the expression of interest process will be released in 2027.
To find out more about VicHealth’s work to support better health outcomes in local communities, visit VicHealth: Partners in Place.
