Trauma training for volunteer first responders and youth mental health resources are just some of the key initiates to be funded by the Healthy Towns Lake Cathie action plan.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ten projects will be funded by the Healthy Towns program, which was launched on June 21.
The launch comes after 18 months of community consultation and workshops, which showed people were concerned with mental health issues, recreational opportunities and social isolation.
Regional coordinator for Healthy Towns, Sarah Robin, said the Lake Cathie launch was a great day for the town.
"After 18 months of consultation, the North Coast Primary Health Network is investing more than $150,000 to launch 10 initiatives for health and wellbeing in the community," Ms Robin said.
"The major project we are funding is turning the Lake Cathie Community Hall into a real community hub for people to come and enjoy.
"However we are also going to fund trauma training for all volunteer first responders in the Lake Cathie community.
"Locally they are usually the ones who arrive at traffic accidents before the emergency services.
"We are also launching two programs at Lake Cathie Public School.
"The first for youth mental health and also a kitchen garden and wellbeing space."
Other projects include a community notice board, which the community has been calling for since 1993, accessible public transport information and intergenerational exercise equipment.
The goal of the Healthy Towns project is to increase social and community connection through a range of programs and initiatives.
"Lake Cathie is a growing community with older people and young families moving to the region in rapidly growing numbers," Ms Robin said.
"Therefore creating spaces and initiatives where the community can come together and build social connections is key."
Lake Cathie Public School principal, Jock Garvin, said he was delighted with the investment from the project into the school.
"We provided substantial input during the consultation phase," he said.
"We are delighted that we are getting some resources to help support the mental health of our students."
"The statistics are alarming when you see how many young people are presenting with anxiety and depression.