Council has endorsed the Respected, connected and thriving – Positive Ageing Strategy 2021-47, which will guide how the City supports, listens to and advocates for older people in the region.
The holistic, long-term strategy commits to a number of priorities that support healthy and happy ageing for people over 55 years of age in Greater Geelong, while addressing the need to plan for and respond to the predicted growth of this demographic.
The Geelong region’s population is ageing, with the number of community members aged 55 years and over expected to increase from 72,000 to 120,000 over the next 20 years.
The draft strategy was released for public comment for four weeks from May to June 2021.
Public feedback supported the three themes, which focus on improving outcomes for people as they age including:
- living in safe, welcoming and strongly connected communities;
- being respected, supported and encouraged to participate as active citizens; and
- having equitable access to places, spaces and services.
The City’s Ageing Well Advisory Committee was involved in developing the draft strategy and consulted on changes following the public feedback.
Deputy Mayor Trent Sullivan thanked residents for helping to shape the Positive Ageing Strategy 2021–47.
Ageing impacts everyone and this new strategy will help ensure Greater Geelong is an age-friendly city where residents of all ages can benefit from and participate in the community.
Much like our Clever and Creative community-led vision, this strategy looks to the future and encourages innovation as we extend beyond a ‘business as usual’ way of providing services to our older community members.
Older residents are a vital and important part of our community, with a wide range of knowledge, skills and experience.
The strategy builds on the three themes by identifying priority areas for action while acknowledging the City’s role in understanding, planning and advocating for the needs of older community members.
Cr Sarah Mansfield, Chair of the Community Health and Aged Care portfolio, said ageing is everyone’s business.
It’s vital that everyone in Greater Geelong, regardless of their age, feels welcomed, supported and that they have the opportunity to thrive in our community.
The community’s feedback to the strategy highlights that the definition of ageing and its impacts are just as diverse as the population it affects, and this diversity of need is often missed by service providers.
I look forward to seeing the next steps of this strategy and further involvement from community members in co-designing the action plan that will help drive meaningful action.
Council’s endorsement of the strategy comes just before Ageism Awareness Day and International Day of Older Persons on Friday 1 October 2021, with both days celebrating the contributions of older community members.
View the Respected, connected and thriving –Positive Ageing Strategy 2021-47.
The City will now work together with stakeholders and the community to co-design elements of the action plan.
