Greater Macarthur Health and Wellbeing Strategy
Wollondilly Shire Council, NSW
Planning is foundational to creating places that support social, physical and mental wellbeing. As one of NSW fastest-growing regions, Wollondilly LGA’s rapid growth is reshaping communities. With more than 20,000 new dwellings planned for Appin and 15,000 for Wilton, the local population is set to triple and become increasingly diverse.
Already, residents are feeling the pressures of growth: dependence on cars, slow delivery of essential social infrastructure, rising heat, and limited access to the community facilities, open spaces and services that enable healthy lives.
CRED Consulting was engaged by Wollondilly Shire Council and the South Western Sydney Local Health District to develop the Greater Macarthur Health and Wellbeing Strategy – a practical roadmap to plan, deliver and manage healthy built environments from the earliest stages of growth.
The Strategy takes an integrated approach recognising the roles and responsibilities across agencies including the NSW Government, Council, developers, local organisations and alliances to collaborate from the outset to create an NSW exemplar for future growth areas.
Starting with needs, focussed on health and wellbeing for all, and outcomes such as reduced health service costs for the NSW Government, the Strategy puts forward actions that align with the priorities and guidelines of the United Nations, Australian Government, NSW Government, Council and property developers.
HOW WE DID IT
CRED Consulting designed and delivered the Greater Macarthur Health and Wellbeing Strategy bringing together planners, health experts and the community to embed wellbeing into every aspect of growth planning.
We delivered:
- A holistic strategy framework grounded in the social determinants of health – linking planning, housing, open space, transport and equity outcomes.
- A literature review of over 40 national and international studies and policies to build a robust evidence base.
- Targeted stakeholder engagement including interviews, workshops, and focus groups with developers, health agencies and Council teams.
- Inclusive community engagement combining online surveys and drop-in sessions that reached a diverse cross-section of current and future residents.
- Cohort personas to capture lived experiences and visualise health needs across different groups – children, young people, older adults, people with disability and culturally diverse communities.
- Data-driven analysis and spatial mapping to identify service gaps and guide infrastructure planning.
- A shared responsibility framework and action plan that defines the roles of government, developers and local organisations in delivering healthier and more connected communities.
Image credit: Fancy Boy Photography for CRED Consulting
OUTCOMES
The Greater Macarthur Health and Wellbeing Strategy was the first of its kind in NSW – providing a clear, actionable roadmap for embedding health and wellbeing into every stage of planning and delivery across one of NSW’s fastest-growing regions.
Its success has already led to a replicated approach in Wilton where CRED refreshed the Wilton Wellbeing Strategy, and other local health districts are now exploring how the model can be applied to their own growth areas – demonstrating its adaptability and transferability across the state.
Since endorsement of the Greater Macarthur Health and Wellbeing Strategy in March 2025, Council has made progress against several actions including:
- Successful advocacy for a new school in Wilton
- Securing NSW Government Bus Funding for the growth area
- Obtaining $1 million in funding towards shared walking and cycling pathways
- Initiating partnerships with developers to progress health-focused design outcomes
- Delivering community events centred on wellness and connection.
