General News
16 June, 2026
Recent data reveals health challenges of Central Goldfields Shire community
Central Goldfields Shire residents are increasingly unhealthy according to a recent report.
Central Goldfields Shire residents are more likely to experience numerous negative health trends, including obesity and food insecurity, according to a recent report.
The 2025 Active Living Census has revealed a mixed picture of health in the Central Goldfields Shire which highlights the new and ongoing needs of the community.
A total of 8244 residents from across the Loddon Campaspe region responded to the census conducted between May 26 and July 6 last year.
The census aims to improve health outcomes through better data on the City of Greater Bendigo, Campaspe, Central Goldfields, Loddon, Macedon Ranges and Mount Alexander shires.
Its release also offers an opportunity to compare local health trends with the previous census of the Loddon Campaspe region in 2019.
Healthy Loddon Campaspe Regional Steering Group spokesperson Jess Howard said the census was more than numbers on a page.
“It tells us what would help people live healthier and more connected lives,” Ms Howard said.
The census found, in comparison to the Loddon Campaspe region, Central Goldfields Shire residents are more likely to have a poor diet.
While more people are drinking enough water locally, from 17.6 percent in 2019 to 33.7 percent last year, more still are choosing to drink sugary beverages like soft drink.
The 2019 census found 16.3 percent of respondents had a sugar-sweetened beverage daily and 31.2 percent weekly.
This has increased to 20.5 percent daily and 41.5 percent weekly — the highest in both categories.
Local people aren’t eating enough fruit and vegetables either, worse than the other shires, and it hasn’t improved.
In the previous census, 56 percent of people did not eat enough fruit which has increased to 57.2 percent last year.
Just 11.4 percent of people ate enough vegetables locally in 2019, the worst result amongst the shires, which has declined to 6.7 percent.
However, around 63 percent of Central Goldfields Shire respondents agreed it was easy to access healthy food locally.
The rest were either neutral, 24.1 percent, or disagreed, 13.2 percent.
Instead the census’ respondents said the most common barriers were personal preference and cost.
Local residents also want to be more active more often.
In the Central Goldfields Shire 57.1 percent of respondents want to do more physical activity — tied for the highest percentage alongside the Campaspe Shire and over two percent higher than the Loddon Campaspe region.
Around 34 percent of Central Goldfields Shire respondents did not participate in sport or exercise while 34.4 percent said they were involved with two to three.
The five most common activities locally were walking (17.2 percent), gym (10.8 percent), swimming (6.1 percent), AFL (5.9 percent), and active play (5.6 percent).
The Central Goldfields also maintains the highest percentage of obesity out of the participating shires.
In 2019, 34.4 percent of the shire’s respondents were considered obese which dropped to 33.8 percent last year.
Locals previously saw the highest rate of food insecurity in the Loddon Campaspe region.
Around 15 percent of responding households said they ran out of food in the previous 12 months in 2019.
In the latest census 12.4 percent and 10.1 percent reported low and very low food security respectively — the second highest amongst the participating shires.
However, the Central Goldfields Shire has seen some improvement.
Local residents self-reported marginally improved health since 2019.
In the earlier census, 74 percent of respondents said their health was between good and excellent which has grown to 76 percent.
Those reporting very high life satisfaction saw a slight decrease, now 28.3 percent, which is still the highest result in the Loddon Campaspe region.
However, Central Goldfields also saw those reporting low to medium life satisfaction increased from 30.1 percent to 32.3 percent.
Central Goldfields Shire has gone from having the highest amount of current smokers in the 2019 census, at 13.8 percent, to the second least with 8.5 percent.
The census also found across all respondents, current smokers were more common in marginalised populations including those who are more financially insecure or with low food security.
Ms Howard said the census’ findings support action across the region.
“These findings provide evidence local councils, communities and other organisations can use for partnering and investing where it matters most,” she said.
The census was conducted by the City of Greater Bendigo and was funded by the State Government as part of the Healthy Loddon Campaspe initiative.