A new proposal from three local governments could lead to a brighter future for aged citizens in the South West.
The City of Bunbury council recently discussed the proposed Greater Bunbury Age-Friendly Communities Strategy Implementation Plan 2017-2020.
The plan was devised in 2016 with assistance from the Shire of Dardanup and Shire of Harvey.
Council endorsed the plan in January 2017, before the Executive Leadership Team approved it in May 2018.
“What we have got is a collaboration between local governments looking at what we, on the same page, can do to look at making our communities more age friendly,” City of Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan said.
“The facts are that our communities are ageing. If you look at the Australian Bureau of Statistics, each of their Censuses, you will see more people in the 55 to 65 and older group.
“That’s a burgeoning part of our demographic.”
The City of Bunbury, Shire of Harvey, and Shire of Dardanup had received $30,000 from the South West Development Commission in 2015.
While developing the plan, the local government and the commission identified transport, housing, communication, social networks, community participation, health and support services, and outdoor spaces and buildings as key areas to focus on.
Mr Brennan said the plan would assist the city with helping to create a more age-friendly region.
“I have always maintained that we need to look after our and young and aged populations,” he said.
“We’ve been pretty good at providing age-friendly communities but we are always on the lookout to do things better.
“Having the collaboration of the local governments in this area, all on the same page, is a terrific outcome.”
Council voted unanimously for the strategy ahead of its meeting on Tuesday, July 10.
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