Spotlight on Projects

Multicultural Community Health Project

The objective of this project has been to develop links between the health service and people from various backgrounds living in the Onkaparinga region. This project has been in operation since 1994 and is coordinated by a task group consisting of community members, health service staff and workers from other agencies.

Many activities have been undertaken, including a community grants scheme. Small grants were made available to individuals and groups in the community for innovative projects benefiting their own cultural community.

English conversation groups with a health focus, local community and community centre events and multicultural fairs have provided opportunities for people to share their cultures.

The project continues to evolve, playing a significant role in cultural awareness of the Onkaparinga region.


Onkaparinga Estuary

The quality of water in the Onkaparinga Estuary has been an issue for many years. Estuary water was found to contain high levels of bacteria becoming polluted by agricultural, industrial and urban development. This combined with limited natural flushing from the tides culminated in bacteria levels higher than would be regarded as safe to swim in.

The Onkaparinga Estuary Water Quality Group (this group resulted from a public meeting called by Healthy Cities in March 1989) lobbied the state government who set-up a task group to investigate the pollution. A detailed report recommended the establishment of the wetlands retention ponds to act as a natural filtration system controlling the amount of bacteria, nutrients, suspended solids and heavy metal concentrations from entering the river estuary. The Onkaparinga Estuary Wetlands is a model of how a polluted estuary can be transformed from the brink of disaster back to its natural state.

Noarlunga Community together against Drugs

Noarlunga Community Action on Drugs is a  partnership of government and non-government agencies and community groups working within the City of Onkaparinga to develop a strategic approach to addressing local drug issues.

The aims of the group are to foster a community based approach to the prevention and reduction of drug related harm by:

  • drawing upon the skills, knowledge and experience existing within the community

  • coordinating resources at the local state and national levels

  • building upon existing networks

  • developing a sustainable strategic approach over the next 3-6 years

  • encouraging an intersectorial approach

Noarlunga Community Action on Drugs is a project of  Healthy Cities Noarlunga.

 For further information about this project please contact  Richard Hicks, Director Community and Allied Health Services, Noarlunga Health Services on (08) 8384 9273 or mailto:hicks.richard@saugov.sa.gov.au .




20/21 Vision celebration


20/21 Vision: Sharing History Sharing Destiny is an overriding project that will bring the community together to celebrate the past and look to the future with confidence.

It is poised to bring together a unique gathering of people in a project called People of the Century.

Over recent months, organisers have been recruiting people born in each year of the 20th century for a commemorative photo shoot and day of celebration.

Elizabeth Becker of Noarlunga Health Services said the People of the Century Project was being organised in decade blocks with a coordinator for each ten year period.

20/21 Vision is supported by Healthy Cities Noarlunga, the City of Onkaparinga and Noarlunga Health Services.

 For further information about this project please contact  Elizabeth Becker, Social Worker, Noarlunga Health Services on (08) 8384 9303 or mailto:becker.elizabeth@saugov.sa.gov.au .

Surviving Unemployment

The southern suburbs is one of the worst areas for unemployment in Adelaide with youth jobless rates in some areas reaching as high as 60%.

Over 120 people representing health, youth, community, education and council sectors attended a conference initiated recently by Susan Pettifer, Project Manager of the Surviving Unemployment Project. Tackling some of the major health issues linked with unemployment the conference aimed at raising awareness of the wide range of direct and indirect health issues associated with unemployment. These include:

  • the physical and mental health impacts on school leavers who can't find work

  • alcohol and drug use as an 'escape from boredom'

  • low self-esteem and higher risk-taking behaviours.

The conference was organised by Noarlunga Health Services in conjunction with the University of Adelaide's Centre for Labour Research and supported by the City of Onkaparinga and Healthy Cities Noarlunga.

Units of work for senior secondary students on issues relating to unemployment have been developed by health professionals from Noarlunga Health Services and teachers from the Southern Vales cluster of secondary schools.

For further information about this project please contact  Susan Pettifer, Project Officer, Noarlunga Health Services on (08) 8384 9233 or mailto:pettifer.susan@saugov.sa.gov.au .

<<< Click here to return to Healthy Cities Noarlunga home