Building Momentum: Four Local Active Partnerships Now Driving Place-Based Change
June marked a significant milestone for WSYD Moving with the successful launch of the Blue Mountains and Blacktown Local Active Partnerships (LAPs). Together with Liverpool and Camden, there are now four Local Active Partnerships bringing communities together to improve health equity and make it easier for people to be active where they live, learn, work and play.
Across the two launch events, more than 130 representatives from local government, health, primary care, sport, recreation, academia, education and community organisations came together around a shared ambition: to strengthen collaboration and create healthier, more active communities through a place-based approach.
The Blue Mountains Local Active Partnership launched on 11 June at the Blue Mountains Theatre and Community Hub, bringing together 62 participants from across the region. There was a genuine sense of community and collaboration throughout the day, with local leaders, practitioners and community organisations coming together to share ideas, build new connections and explore how they can collectively improve health and wellbeing. The launch highlighted not only the passion and commitment that already exists across the Blue Mountains, but also a shared willingness to work together to create healthier, more active and connected communities.
The program featured presentations from David Burns (WSYD Moving), who introduced the Local Active Partnerships initiative and shared the vision through place-based collaboration. Kate Tye (Wentworth Healthcare) and Eloise Milthorpe (Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District) provided a health lens for the Blue Mountains, while Daniel Long and Vicki Edmunds (Blue Mountains City Council) outlined Council's priorities and opportunities to support active living.
Lori Modde (Outdoors NSW & ACT) explored the role of the outdoor industry as a community health partner. Rosemary Bishop (Springwood Neighbourhood Centre), Andrew Wilson (Weight Issues Network) and Alejandra Martinez (Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District) shared inspiring local initiatives and lived experience, highlighting practical approaches to supporting community.
Kamilla Haufort (Activate Movement) also led an energising movement break, reinforcing the importance of integrating movement throughout the day. Participants then worked together to identify local priorities, develop a shared vision and explore practical opportunities for collective action moving forward.
Less than two weeks later, on 23 June, the Blacktown Local Active Partnership was launched at Blacktown International Sports Park with 68 participants. A consistent message throughout the day was that Blacktown already has many outstanding initiatives supporting physical activity and community wellbeing. The opportunity now is to better connect these efforts so organisations can achieve more together than they can alone.
The program was opened by Clr Dr Mohinder Singh (Blacktown City Council), followed by David Burns, who introduced the WSYD Moving vision. Michelle Nolan (Western Sydney Local Health District) and Rachel Barker (WentWest – Western Sydney PHN) presented a health lens for Blacktown, before Michael Maxwell (Blacktown City Council) outlined local priorities and opportunities for collaboration. A session on the Eight Investments That Work for Physical Activity was then delivered by Rachel Barker, Michelle Nolan and David Burns to set up the workshop sessions.
The launch also showcased a range of local initiatives already making a difference across Blacktown. Elizabeth Leece and Helen Ryan (Western Sydney Local Health District) presented the Walking in Blacktown City Project, Emma Eldridge shared the Young Strong and Deadly Program, Saaz Kaur (Kaur Sports Inc and University of Sydney) presented on the Multicultural Games 2027, Mayor Chagai (Founder, Savannah Pride and Mt Druitt PCYC Youth Engagement Coordinator) highlighted youth-led community initiatives, while Kitty Kaur (Western Sydney Local Health District) and Nadiana Albistur (Blacktown City Council) showcased the successful WalkSoccer Partnership. These presentations highlighted the breadth of work already underway across walking, healthy ageing, Aboriginal health, multicultural participation, youth engagement and community partnerships before participants explored the current landscape, developing a shared vision and identified opportunities for collective action.
While each Local Active Partnership reflects the unique strengths and priorities of its community, both launch events followed a common journey, building a shared understanding of the local system, creating a collective vision for the future and identifying opportunities where organisations can work together to create change. This approach recognises that reducing inactivity and improving health equity cannot be achieved by one organisation alone; it requires connected leadership, shared purpose and sustained collaboration.
WSYD Moving extends its sincere thanks to the NSW Government for supporting this work, our local organising partners—Blue Mountains City Council, Blacktown City Council, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, Western Sydney Local Health District and WentWest – Western Sydney PHN, Wentworth Healthcare and to the many speakers, facilitators and participants who contributed their knowledge, experience and enthusiasm across both events.
As the four Local Active Partnerships continue to grow, they will provide a platform for local organisations to build stronger relationships, coordinate action and create communities where everyone can live a healthier, more active life.
