Table of Contents

Message from the Mayor ...... 4

Executive Summary...... 5

1. Background...... 7

1.1Why an Ageing Strategy?...... 7

1.2Positive(Active) AgeingContext...... 8

1.3The Role of Local Government...... 8

1.4Other Stakeholders...... 9

1.4.1 Australian Government...... 9

1.4.2 State Government...... 9

1.4.3 Non-Government Agencies...... 10

1.4.4 Businesses...... 10

1.5Methodology for developing theAgeing Strategy...... 10

1.5.1 Review of Literature...... 10

1.5.2 Community Consultations...... 11

1.5.3 Community Survey...... 11

1.5.4 Survey of Burwood Council Departments...... 11

1.6Where does the Ageing Strategy fit in with Council’s Plans? ...... 12

1.7Format of the Ageing Strategy? ...... 12

1.8What will be done with theAgeing Strategy?...... 12

2. Focus on Burwood...... 13

2.1Demographics...... 13

2.2Summary of Community Consultations...... 14

2.2.1 Transport and Parking...... 14

2.2.2 Road and Pedestrian Safety...... 15

2.2.3 Community Safety...... 15

2.2.4 Social Activities...... 15

2.2.5 Housing...... 16

2.2.6 Health...... 16

2.2.7 Volunteering...... 16

2.2.8 Communication and Information...... 16

2.3Community Survey...... 16

2.4Survey of Burwood Council Departments...... 17

2.5How Council Currently Supports Older People...... 18

Continued next page
3. Positive Ageing Action Plan - Values and Objectives...... 20

3.1Burwood Council’s Positive Ageing Vision and Values...... 20

3.2Burwood Council’s Positive Ageing Objectives...... 20

3.2.1 Social and Civic Participation...... 20

3.2.2 Promote and Support Active Ageing...... 20

3.2.3 Create Supportive Environments...... 20

3.2.4 Enable Ageing in Place...... 20

3.2.5 Engage in Planning and Partnerships to Support Active Ageing...... 20

4. Positive Ageing Action Plan – Strategies ...... 21

Objective 1: Social and Civic Participation...... 21

Objective 2: Promote and Support Active Ageing...... 23

Objective 3: Create Supportive Environments...... 24

Objective 4: Enable Ageing in Place...... 26

Objective 5: Engage in Planning and Partnerships to Support Active Ageing....28

GLOSSARY...... 30

References...... 31

Literature Consulted ...... 32

Message from the Mayor

It is with great pleasure that I present the Burwood Council Ageing Strategy, 2011-2016.

The Burwood Council Ageing Strategy has been developed in the context of the ageing of Australia’s population – a demographic trend which is also occurring at the local level in the Burwood Local Government Area. At the local level, it is vitally important that we plan for the needs and aspirations of our older residents, and that is one part of what the Strategy achieves. It is equally important that we also plan to celebrate and harness the wisdom, skills and knowledge that they have gained over a lifetime. This too, can be seen in the Ageing Strategy.

The Ageing Strategyoutlines a vision of an inclusive, active and engaged community which celebrates the contributions of older community members, and supports them to pursue their interests and to participate fully in community and civic life.

The Ageing Strategy is based on national and international research on ‘Positive Ageing’ which, at the community level, focuses on developing environments, attitudes and opportunities that encourage and assist individuals to maintain and even enhance their independence, quality of life, and civic participation as they enter their later years.

The Ageing Strategy is also based on suggestions from older community members who participated in focus groups. My thanks go to the many participants of these consultations, who provided practical suggestions on how we can enhance social and civic participation of older people, but also, how older people can enhance our communities through their contributions as well.

The Ageing Strategy provides a Positive Ageing Action Plan which will drive the practical implementation of a Positive Ageing approach, and which reflects the aspirations and concerns of community members.

On behalf of Burwood Council, I would like to thank and acknowledge all who were involved in the development of the Burwood Council Ageing Strategy 2011-2016 and I look forward to seeing the results that we will all enjoy as we work together to implement it.

Executive Summary

Background

Over the next forty years, Australia’s population is set to double. By 2044, roughly one-quarter of Australia’s population will be aged over 65, and there is expected to be a significant increase in the proportion of the persons aged 85 years and over.[1] In response to these expected demographic changes, all levels of government have begun to plan for the challenges and opportunities that an increase in the size and proportion of older citizens in Australian society will bring.

Burwood Council recognises the need to provide sound planning in response to the changing demographic nature of the Burwood local community. The Burwood Local Government Area (LGA) already has a higher proportion of its population aged 65 years and over than does the rest of the Sydney basin (approximately 15% in Burwood, compared to 13% Sydney wide).[2] And in Burwood, this proportion is expected to steadily increase over the next four years, when approximately 16% of the local population will be aged 65 years or more. By 2036, one in five of Burwood’s residents will be aged 65 years or more (approximately 22%)[3].

The Ageing Strategy

In response to these expected demographic changes, Burwood Council initiated a process to develop an ageing strategy with the intent of providing a clear vision and a ‘whole of Council’ approach for achieving the aspirations of Burwood’s current and future older residents, and of the broader community of the Burwood LGA.

The Burwood Council Ageing Strategy 2011-2016 is delivered in the context of extensive international and national research relating to healthy ageing, and policy initiatives relating to ‘Positive Ageing’. Positive Ageing focuses on encouraging and assisting individuals to maintain and even enhance their independence, quality of life, and civic participation as they enter their later years[4]. On the community level, Positive Ageing is about planning to maximize health, quality of life, and the social, economic and civic participation of older people. It also plans to maximize the considerable contributions that older people make to our community.

The methodology for developing the Ageing Strategy involved a literature review of relevant research (see Appendix for list); community consultations; a community survey; and a survey of all Departments within Burwood Council (see Section 1.5). The resulting Ageing Strategy expressesa vision of an inclusive, active and engaged community which celebrates the contributions of older community members, and supports them to pursue their interests and to participate fully in community and civic life. The Strategy is based on a set of values which guide the implementation of a Positive Ageing approach to whole of Council planning and service delivery. These values include:

  • Ageing is a positive process that is to be celebrated and respected.
  • Older people have knowledge, skills and experience that are of great value to our community.
  • People have a right to ‘age in place’.
  • Strong partnerships are required to ensure the sustainable planning and delivery of services that support positive ageing.
  • Individuals, communities, businesses and governments all have a role to play in developing societies that value the contributions and support the needs of older people.

The Burwood Council Ageing Strategy 2011-2016 contains five objectives for Positive Ageing. These are:

Objective 1: Social and Civic Participation

Provide opportunities for older people to participate in social and civic life, and opportunities for generations and cultures to interact.

Objective 2: Promote and Support Active Ageing

Ensure that older people are encouraged and supported to maintain healthy lifestyles, pursue interests, and engage in lifelong learning.

Objective 3: Create Supportive Environments

Create built and economic environments that enable older people to participate in all aspects of community life, and to contribute their experience, knowledge and skills.

Objective 4: Enable Ageing in Place

Ensure that older people have access to quality services that enable them to age in place within the context of the communities and relationships that they have developed over a life time.

Objective 5: Engage in Planning and Partnerships to Support Active Ageing

Undertake planning, and work with other governments, non-government agencies, local businesses and individuals to create opportunities for active ageing.

Positive Ageing Action Plan

Contained within the Ageing Strategy is the Positive Ageing Action Plan. The Positive Ageing Action Plan provides specific strategies and related actions, under each of the five objectives of the Ageing Strategy.

To ensure the greatest compatibility with the Burwood Council Community Strategic Plan 2010-2030, the Positive Ageing Action Plan is cross referenced and linked to the Community Strategic Plan, via the use of Strategy Numbers from the Delivery Plan.Many of these strategies have already been built into the Community Strategic Plan, whilst others may be incorporated following further consultation, and consideration of available budgets.

1.Background

1.1Why an Ageing Strategy?

Over the next forty years, Australia’s population is set to double. By 2044, roughly one-quarter of Australia’s population will be aged over 65, and there is expected to be a significant increase in the proportion of the persons aged 85 years and over.[5] In response to these expected demographic changes, all levels of government have begun to plan for the challenges and opportunities that an increase in the size and proportion of older citizens in Australian society will bring.

At the national level, the AustralianGovernment has outlined a set of principles, goals and strategies to assist state and local governments, as well as businesses and individuals, to plan in this changing demographic context.[6] In addition, the economic implications of an ageing population were explored in a Productivity Commission paper, and the Australian Government began planning for the budgetary implications in the Intergenerational Reports (2002, 2007 and 2010).[7]

At the local level, Councils are also planning ahead for the expected change in the population ageing profile. The Australian Local Government Association outlined specific challenges for local government with regards to planning in this area. These include[8]:

  • providing appropriate infrastructure
  • providing appropriate local government services
  • managing the financial impacts of the growing number of retirees
  • utilising the skills, wealth and business skills of older people

Burwood Council recognises the need to provide sound planning in response to the changing demographic nature of the Burwoodlocal community. The Burwood Local Government Area (LGA) already has a higher proportion of its population aged 65 years and over than does the rest of the Sydney basin (approximately 15% in Burwood, compared to 13%Sydney wide).[9]In Burwood, this proportion is expected to steadily increase over the next four years, when approximately 16% of the local population will be aged 65 years or more. By 2036, one in five of Burwood’s residents will be aged 65 years or more (approximately 22%)[10].

Burwood Council is responding to the opportunities and challenges of an ageing population through delivery of the Burwood Council Ageing Strategy 2011-2016. TheAgeing Strategyprovides a clear vision and a ‘whole of Council’ approach for achieving the aspirations of Burwood’s current and future older residents, and of the broader community of the Burwood LGA.

1.2 Positive (Active) Ageing Context

The Burwood Council Ageing Strategy 2011-2016, is delivered in the context of extensive international and national research relating to healthy ageing, and policy initiatives relating to ‘Positive Ageing’. Positive or Active Ageingis a concept that is about planning for the future in order to maximize the quality of life, social participation and inclusion of seniors[11]. Positive Ageing can occur at the individual level and at the community level. For example, the World Health Organisation (WHO) defines Active Ageing as “‘the process of optimising opportunities for participation, health, and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age”.[12]

A major component of Positive Ageing is to challenge the notion of ageing being a process of deterioration and loss on an individual level, and of increasing levels of burden at the community level.[13] Instead, Positive Ageing focuses on encouraging and assisting individuals to maintain and even enhance their independence, quality of life, and civic participation as they enter their later years[14]. On the community level, Positive Ageing is about planning to maximize health, quality of life, and the social, economic and civic participation of older people. It also plans to maximize the considerable contributions that older people make to our community. For example, olderpeople provide significant amounts of support to our community: they are involved in a wide range of volunteer work; are major supporters and users of local libraries; support the arts; promote and stimulate local economic activity; and contribute significantly to social capital.[15]

1.3The Role of Local Government

In general, the role of local government is to look after matters such asthe planning and/or management of local:

  • roads and footpaths
  • public parking
  • publicparks and gardens
  • public libraries and swimming pools
  • community services (supporting ageing, disability, children and youth)
  • management of community facilities
  • issues relating to fencing between properties and the fencing of pools
  • companion animals (animal registrations, lost or nuisance animals)
  • arranging for garbage collection

Local Governments are empowered to attend to these matters by a range of State legislation including but not limited to, the Local Government Act 1993;Public Health Act 1991; Environment Assessment and Planning Act 1979; Swimming Pools Act 1992; andCompanion Animals Act 1998.Local governments also play an important role in assisting to plan, coordinate, and sometimes deliver a range of community services.[16]

The role of local government in relation to responding to an ageing population involves providing advocacy, facilitation, and planning in relation to the provision of infrastructure and services, to meet the diverse needs of older people living within the local community.The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has identified that local government, both directly within its own areas of responsibility, but also in partnership with other tiers of government, is well placed to have a significant and positive impact on the ageing population.[17]Specifically, the ALGA states that this will be achieved through:

  • utilising its “intimate knowledge of the local community” to identify the diverse needs of older people living in the local community
  • planning and facilitating the development of built environments and infrastructure which promote healthy ageing and social inclusion
  • planning and facilitating the development of local economic environments that contribute to the overall wellbeing, inclusion and participation of older people
  • planning and providing or facilitating the delivery of services and programs that are appropriate to the needs of older people
  • facilitating the civic participation of older people, by way of ensuring their involvement in local decision making and participation in community networks and relationships
  • advocating on behalf of the local communities, with other government and non-government organisations

The Ageing Strategy 2011-2016 covers the scope of these stated roles and responsibilities, and within that scope, provides specific objectives and strategies to address the priorities and concerns of local older residents. The Positive Ageing Action Plan (Sections 4 and 5) specifies how the Ageing Strategy will be put into effect, including identifying the direct role of Burwood Council, as well as the areas where Council will seek to work alongside other stakeholders.

1.4 Other Stakeholders

Although local governments have an important role to play in addressing the needs and aspirations of older citizens, other tiers of government, non-government agencies, and private businesses, are also involved. This section outlines, in general terms, the role of these other stakeholders.

1.4.1 Australian Government

As of 2012, the Federal Government will have full funding responsibility for aged care services in Australia.[18]Community aged care services include services provided under the Home and Community Care (HACC) Program, as well as Community Aged Care Packages and Extended Aged Care at Home packages provided under the Aged Care Program. Through tendering arrangements, local councils may be contracted to deliver some aged care services that are funded by the Federal Government.

The Federal Government is also responsible for providing funds for health related care through Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, and provides some funds to State hospitals and other organisations for health related matters.And lastly, the Federal Government is also the provider of payments to individuals receiving the Aged Care Pension, or other pensions.

1.4.2 State Government

Although from 2012 State Governments will not have a direct role in funding aged care services, many of their activities are crucial to supporting older residents. The role of state governments that may relate to the concerns of older citizens include the provision of:

  • public hospitals
  • a police force
  • public transport, main roads and establishment of road rules
  • some community aged care services under the HACC program; and
  • public housing (Department of Housing)

1.4.3 Non-Government Agencies

Many non-government agencies play an important role in delivering community based aged care and other services. Non-government agencies include organisations such as churches and other religious institutions; registered charities whether or not of a religious nature; some community and neighbourhood centres; and community based organisations that are incorporated as associations.

Local clubs are also of great importance to older community members, and many are supported by the patronage and volunteer efforts of older people.

1.4.4 Businesses

Local businesses contribute significantly to the vibrancy and amenity of the Burwood local community for residents and visitors of all ages. The ageing of the local population is expected to provide unique benefits and opportunities for local businesses. For example, research has identified that older citizens make good customers. The current generation of older citizens generate significant economic activity, and the ageing ‘baby boomer’ generation are healthier and wealthier than all generations that have come before, and will have higher levels of disposable income. Senior citizens also tend to shop locally.[19]

Seniors, however are not just good customers, they also make good workers. Local business can benefit significantly from employing mature aged workers. For example, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has identified that:[20]