Ageing in a safe, supportive community

A 25-YEAR strategy aims to ensure Greater Geelong is a safe, connected community for older people where they feel respected and supported, with equal access to places and services.

The City of Greater Geelong has endorsed it’s Respected, Connected and Thriving – Positive Ageing Strategy 2021-47, which will guide how the City supports, listens to and advocates for older people in the region.

The Geelong region’s population aged 55 years and over is expected to increase from 72,000 to 120,000 over the next 20 years, and the new strategy sets of priorities that will support healthy and happy ageing the older demographic.

Public feedback to the draft strategy supported the three themes: living in safe, welcoming and strongly connected communities; being respected, supported and encouraged to participate as active citizens; and having equitable access to places, spaces and services.

Deputy Mayor Trent Sullivan said the new strategy would help ensure Greater Geelong was an “age-friendly city where residents of all ages can benefit from and participate in the community”.

“Much like our Clever and Creative community-led vision, this strategy looks to the future and encourages innovation as we extend beyond a ‘business as usual’ way of providing services to our older community members.

The strategy builds on the three themes by identifying priority areas for action while acknowledging the City’s role in understanding, planning and advocating for the needs of older community members.

Community Health and Aged Care portfolio chair Cr Sarah Mansfield said it was vital that everyone in Greater Geelong, regardless of their age, felt welcomed, supported and had the opportunity to thrive in the community.

“The community’s feedback to the strategy highlights that the definition of ageing and its impacts are just as diverse as the population it affects, and this diversity of need is often missed by service providers,” Cr Mansfield said.

“I look forward to seeing the next steps of this strategy and further involvement from community members in co-designing the action plan that will help drive meaningful action.”

The Respected, connected and thriving – Positive Ageing Strategy 2021-47 can be viewed at https://yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/PAS