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Tuesday, February 09, 2016
Council receives $15,000 to build an age friendly city
The City of Whyalla will become an age-friendly city, after securing a $15,000 grant to undertake projects that benefit the city’s aged residents.
Whyalla City Council and the Office for the Ageing will now partner to support the development of an age-friendly community.
The funding will be used to develop a regional age-friendly action plan identifying common issues faced by older residents, and outlining a range of specific activities that will increase opportunities to achieve positive outcomes for older peoples’ social and economic engagement and participation.
This project will build on the council’s strategic priorities and current plans for an ageing population, increasing opportunities for participation in social, civic, cultural, and volunteering activities.
Acting mayor Tom Antonio said he was extremely excited that the council had secured $15,000 funding, and was looking forward to the opportunities the project would provide the city’s aged residents.
“I am thrilled that Whyalla City Council has secured funding that will allow the council to further commit to supporting its aged residents through the provision of adequate services, facilities and future planning initiatives,” Mr Antonio said.
“As a council it is imperative that we support all of our residents, and take into account the needs of residents in different demographics.”
In 2011, Whyalla’s residents aged over 65 years represented 14.8 per cent of its total population, compared to 13.6 per cent as recorded in 2006.
“Data shows that our aged population in Whyalla is increasing, and therefore we need to ensure the community is positioned to respond to this increase,” Mr Antonio said.
“The development of policies and initiatives supporting accessible and engaging environments and communities for seniors will be required both now and in the future.”