Page 3509 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 12 September 2017
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living in the ACT is projected to almost triple by 2055, when it is expected that one in five Canberrans will be 65 years or over.
While an ageing population brings a responsibility to care for older members of the community who need it, it also brings an enormous opportunity to capitalise on the experience and the wisdom of older people in our city. Many older Canberrans play an active part in our local communities. They volunteer, participate in the workforce, provide extended family support and play an active part in community, sporting and cultural activities.
Our cultural institutions, museums and a number of our festivals, such as the Multicultural Festival, happen because volunteers, many of whom are older Canberrans, contribute their time and their expertise. A number of our community services rely on volunteers, many of whom are retirees, to deliver assistance and support to some of our city’s most vulnerable residents through food pantries, provision of meals, transport to medical appointments and a whole host of other services.
The contribution older Canberrans make within families should not be underestimated. Many take an active role in caring for their grandchildren and extended family, providing stable, loving care and important role modelling for our children.
The government, through its ACT active ageing framework, creates a blueprint for how we respond to locally identified needs of older Canberrans. The framework also sets out the government’s commitment to the ongoing transformation to an age-friendly city which supports older Canberrans to be socially connected and active participants in community life. An age-friendly city optimises opportunities for good health, participation and safety in order to enhance quality of life as people age. An age-friendly city adapts its structures and services to be accessible to and inclusive of people of all ages with varying needs and capacities.
Today, Madam Speaker, I will update members on the continued progress we have made on implementing the framework in 2016-17. The framework sets out actions for completion in six key priority areas: civic participation and employment; communication, information and social participation; respect and social inclusion; community and health services; housing, outdoor spaces and buildings; and transportation. I am pleased to report that all 10 actions identified in the framework for completion in 2016-17 have been addressed. Reporting against each action item is available on the Community Services Directorate website. However, I would like to provide members with highlights of progress in each of the framework’s six priority areas today.
Civic participation and employment is an area that is a protective factor against all manner of negative outcomes in the life of our seniors. Older Canberrans possess a wealth of knowledge and experience that is invaluable to their role as employees, volunteers and community leaders. As such, work is underway to strengthen opportunities for employment, training and volunteering pathways for mature age workers in this city.
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