Ageing is positive

A positive approach to ageing and the needs of older people is being taken in Byron Shire Council’s draft Positive Ageing Strategy and Action Plan.

Now out on public exhibition, Mayor Jan Barham said the strategy and action plan recognises the significant contribution older people, past and present, make to community life.

She said the aim of the strategy was to promote a positive ageing community and encourage support for older people to remain active participants in the community.

“The action plan will build awareness, foster partnerships, support funding grant applications and improve access to information in relation to an ageing population.”

The actions include ways of maintaining, designing or upgrading facilities to ensure older people can continue to function in a safe and vibrant environment.  This may include mobility issues and a process for responding to reported hazards, or looking at the accessibility of community facilities.

In addition, the plan looks at ways of supporting social and cultural activities, improving advocacy services for transport, health and well being and enhancing home and community care services.

When completed, said Mayor Barham, the strategy and action plan will encourage increased use of senior citizen centres and other facilities, and involvement in sporting and recreation organisations. 

“The plan will also improve community inclusion and recognise the valuable contributions that older persons do, and can make, to society,” she said.

“An ageing population has implications on infrastructure, community assets, planning provisions, housing, accommodation, transport and a variety of government services.

“Forward planning is vital in order to cater for the differing needs and expectations of older people.

“We are living longer and need to ensure opportunities are provided for positive interactions within our community and across generations,” Mayor Barham said.

Mayor Jan Barham encouraged anyone with an interest in ageing issues to read the draft strategic plan and provide feedback to Council.

The Draft Positive Ageing Strategy and Action Plan were developed following 18 months of consulting with the community and were prepared under the guidance of the Positive Ageing Project Reference Group (PRG).

The draft Positive Ageing Policy is on public submission until Thursday 9 February and can be viewed on Council’s website www.byron.nsw.gov.au/public-exhibition, at the Mullumbimby Administration Office or at Community Access points including Federal Store, Bangalow Post Office, Summerland Credit Union Ocean Shores, Suffolk Park Holiday Park and Shire Libraries.

According to NSW Statistical Local Area Population Projections 2001 – 2031, people aged 50 and over will account for approximately 47.3% of Byron Shire’s population by 2031.  In 2001 people aged 50 and over accounted for 28.4% of the Shire’s population.

Projected Population – Byron Shire

                                 2001                %                2031           %

0-14                6,260               21.1            6,080          14.3

15 – 29            5,050               17.0            5,420          12.8

30 – 49            9,970               33.6           10,900         25.7

50 – 64            4,860               16.4            9,980          23.5

65 and over      3,550               12.0           10,110         23.8

Source: NSW Statistical Local Area Population Projections 2001 – 2031.  Released by the NSW Department of Planning and Transport and Population Data Centre