Planning for an ageing community
Website
ALGA has established a separate website resource to assist local government to plan for an ageing population. The website Planning for an ageing community showcases the latest news, research, data, information and innovative practice.
» Planning for an ageing community website
Background
Australia, like most OECD countries, has an ageing population. This change in demographics will require a proactive and innovative approach to population ageing that is responsive to the needs and aspirations of all Australians.
At the national level, the Australian Government has developed the National strategy for an ageing Australia. The strategy identifies a set of principles, goals and actions to guide the responses of governments, businesses and individuals. Further, the Australian Government released the Intergenerational report with the 2002-03 Commonwealth Budget. This report explores the economic implications of population ageing in relation to the future funding of public expenditure.
At the local level, a number of local councils throughout Australia have developed or are initiating development of local level responses to population ageing. Often these activities are in partnership with other spheres of government and/or the private sector. They are very important to the well-being of older people and include:
- Senior citizen centres
- Community transport
- Food services and Meals on Wheels
- Respite care and aged care facilities
- Home maintenance
- Ageing policies and programs
- Assistance to the aged through Home and Community Care
The next step for local government is to build on these activities.
To guide future work in this area, the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has entered into a partnership with the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing to help local government meet the specific opportunities and challenges of an ageing population through the Local government population and ageing project.
