Page 1161 - Week 03 - Thursday, 22 March 2012
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becoming older and joining the ranks of older Canberrans is unavoidable unless the unthinkable happens. I would like to take this opportunity to add to the remarks of Ms Burch and other people in this place and to thank Mr Doszpot for bringing this matter forward as a matter of public importance today.
I would like to reflect on a number of government programs and initiatives that support positive ageing and to highlight other ways in which we can engage our older citizens. As the minister said, Canberra has a rapidly ageing population. In order to build on the work of past consultations and the framework established in the ACT strategic plan for positive ageing, a survey was undertaken to identify positive and negative examples of infrastructure and practices and to make suggestions for making Canberra a more age-friendly city. The survey was completed by almost 2,000 ACT residents aged 60 and over.
The response was one of overall satisfaction with Canberra’s infrastructure, amenities and facilities, and agreement that Canberra is moving towards being an age-friendly city. Key indicators used in this survey will be used in subsequent surveys to provide a useful measure of long-term change. The results of the survey will be used, together with the outcomes of the older persons assembly and the ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing report on implementation of the ACT strategic plan for positive ageing, to inform the development of the 2012-14 action plan for the ACT strategic plan for positive ageing.
As members would know, access to appropriate, affordable and innovative housing choices is a key issue for older people and is an important consideration when creating an age-friendly city. I am pleased to say the government has undertaken a vast amount of work in this area, in terms of both tangible products and policy development.
As part of the commonwealth government’s nation building initiative, the ACT received $87 million to construct social housing. Under the program, approximately 297 older persons units were constructed in eight suburbs of Canberra. These were adaptable, purpose built, energy efficient and easy to live in and maintain. Older tenants whose current home was larger than they required were encouraged to apply for these dwellings and were supported in their move through a transition support package tailored to their individual relocation needs.
Beyond this initiative, properties are being constructed to support the adoption of liveable housing design guidelines under the capital construction program. The introduction of the liveable design features will allow public housing to be easily adapted as people age, supporting the concept of ageing in place. Older people can also still register to apply to move into more suitable accommodation such as aged persons flats or units.
Earlier this year the ACT government promoted 19 new properties across Canberra that were available for lease under an ACT government funded initiative which has already eased the rental burden for six older Canberra couples. The come home affordable rental scheme, run by the ACT Affordable Rental Office, offers homes within older persons public housing complexes at a 25 per cent discounted rate to eligible older couples and individuals who currently rent in the private market.
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