Page 3513 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 12 September 2017
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additional active travel facilities. Implementation of further priorities will be considered as part of the ACT government’s ongoing maintenance programs. Construction of priority improvements for crossings, footpaths and bus stops commenced in 2016. Age-friendly suburbs project components have now been delivered in Ainslie, Weston, Monash and Kaleen.
Active living principles are also being incorporated into the Territory Plan. This will support healthy active lifestyles for all Canberrans. These principles relate to creating safe and attractive places and spaces and supportive infrastructure for all. Plans are in place for future designs for suburb upgrades to include, where possible, age-friendly inclusions. This will involve upgrading features such as the number and style of seats, footpaths and access points and appropriate lighting.
Stable and affordable housing which allows older people continued access to established networks of support and interest is essential to safety and wellbeing. The government offers the affordable rental scheme, which provides assistance to older Canberrans on low incomes to sustain private rental accommodation. The scheme provides an affordable rental product and reduces the amount of rent older people on low incomes are required to pay.
The ACT government has worked in close consultation with the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body to design new units to meet the needs of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Five two-bedroom units were constructed in Kambah in 2016 and have proven very popular with the community. The government has also committed to building a second dedicated, culturally appropriate complex for eligible older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the future.
The ACT government has a suite of measures to ensure that we are looking after the most vulnerable in our community, including those seniors on fixed incomes such as the pension. The government has increased its funding in the budget over the next four years by $35.1 million to ensure we can continue to support the most vulnerable in the community.
In order to make concessions available to more households and targeted to those who are most vulnerable, the energy and utility concession and the water and sewerage rebate, following extensive community consultation, were combined into one concession from 1 July 2017. This has provided extra relief to vulnerable seniors who are currently renting and who were not able to access the water and sewerage rebate. Additionally, the ACT government offers a rates deferral program for older Canberrans who are on fixed incomes. The program allows eligible residents to defer their rates payments until such time as their property is sold. This can help those who own significant property assets but who have fixed or limited income.
Finally, transportation is a key to ensure that our seniors can get around the city and remain connected and active participants. Transportation, including accessible and affordable public transport, is a key factor influencing active ageing. Being able to move about the city determines participation and access to community and health services. The government made a commitment at the election to provide free off-peak
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