The 2025 Active Living Census results have revealed Loddon Campaspe residents are moving more and smoking less than Victorian benchmarks, but many are also reporting food insecurity, poorer health, lower life satisfaction and risky drinking.
More than 8000 residents took part in the Census between 26 May and 6 July 2025, which collected data on matters such as physical activity, access to nutritious food, public open space use and risky behaviours.
Conducted by the City of Greater Bendigo as part of the Victorian Government-funded Healthy Loddon Campaspe (HLC) initiative, the Census helps to understand health and wellbeing across the six local government areas in the region, including the City of Greater Bendigo, Campaspe, Central Goldfields, Loddon, Macedon Ranges and Mount Alexander Shires.
It builds on previous censuses undertaken in Greater Bendigo in 2014 and across the Loddon Campaspe region in 2019, helping to understand how health and wellbeing and community needs have changed over time.
Greater Bendigo respondents made up approximately 50 per cent of the total sample. While the results highlight ongoing challenges around wellbeing and everyday health behaviours, they also point to some positive outcomes that reflect the sustained efforts of the Healthy Loddon Campaspe initiative.
Compared with Victorian and national benchmarks, the Census found that adults in Greater Bendigo have stronger results for physical activity and muscle-strengthening exercise, and lower rates of smoking, vaping, gambling and daily sugar-sweetened drink consumption across the region.
However, it also found:
- 30 per cent experienced some level of food insecurity
- 25 per cent rated their health as fair or poor
- 35 per cent recorded moderate to low life satisfaction
- 67 per cent were overweight or obese
- 58 per cent reported risky single-occasion alcohol consumption, and only
- 7 per cent met vegetable intake recommendations
The results will be used to guide local planning, including health promotion work, investment in public spaces and recreation facilities and will support local organisations to seek resources for services and projects that respond to community needs.
City of Greater Bendigo Manager Active and Healthy Communities Deb Simpson said the Census data offers much more than numbers on a page.
“It tells us what would help people live healthier and more connected lives,” Ms Simpson said.
“These findings provide evidence local councils, communities and other organisations can use for partnering and investing where it matters most.
“Good local data helps communities make better decisions.
“Health and wellbeing is everyone’s business. The Census data helps us understand what our communities need and what partnerships and actions can have the greatest benefits.”
Healthy Loddon Campaspe has been funded by the Victorian Government to continue this important work, supporting local partners to use the Census findings to drive practical action across the region.
