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Input sought on meeting future needs of older people

Latrobe City Council is currently consulting with the community in order to meet the challenge of servicing a society with increasing numbers of residents aged over 60 years.

By Latrobe City Council - 24th October 2006 - Back to News

According to Latrobe City Council's general manager city services, Peggy Stevenson, an aging population presents a number of challenges to the community in order to provide appropriate levels of support, services and opportunities.

"To meet this challenge council is currently developing a strategy aimed at building a supportive community for older people. This strategy will identify short, medium and long-term actions and directions for council, business, community organisations and the wider community over the next 15 years.

"The strategy may cover many areas such as health, transport, employment and education, infrastructure, housing, leisure and community planning. Specifics such as increased levels of support to remain at home; services and community facilities; workplace changes to accommodate older workers and urban development plans to cater for the needs of an aging population will also be examined," Ms Stevenson explained.

"The initial phase of the process involves consulting with as many organisations, businesses and community members as possible, to help identify the needs of older people in the future, understand community expectations and needs, and help develop priorities for council.

"We have already identified around 200 organisations, businesses or individuals that are involved with older people, either in a support service capacity, or as places that older citizens may visit or be active in. Council has contacted these organisations and individuals directly, but would welcome input from other groups that may have an interest in this strategy," Ms Stevenson explained.

"During the consultation phase, we are holding a number of one-to-one meetings with key stakeholders and group forums with interested parties. This will allow us to gauge opinion on the issues that arise.

"Once the information has been collated, the draft strategy plan will be published for public comment early next year. We hope to have the Older Person’s Strategy formally adopted by council and published by March 2007," Ms Stevenson concluded.

Further information about the strategy and community consultation can be obtained from David Welch, Manager Family Services at Latrobe City Council on 5128 5603. In addition a paper highlighting some of these issues has been produced and is available from the Latrobe City Council website on www.latrobe.vic.gov.au.


Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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