Council seeks input on draft Age-friendly Action Plan

Redland City Council is inviting the community to have its say on the draft Redlands Coast Age-friendly Action Plan 2021-2026.

Mayor Karen Williams said the draft plan was based on the World Health Organisation’s Age-friendly Cities model that was developed in 2004 as a planning response to population ageing.

“It explores how a city’s landscape, buildings, transport system and housing contribute to mobility, health behaviours, social participation and self-determination of older people,” she said.

“Consultation is an important element of creating an age-friendly community and the next step in Council’s commitment to the creation of environments that enable older Redlands Coast residents to live active and healthy lives.

“We know we have an ageing community and Council is committed to supporting their needs by planning for an age-friendly city.

“In 2016, 17.2 per cent of Redland City’s population was aged 65 years and, by 2041, this is expected to increase to 28.3 per cent.”

Cr Williams said the draft Redlands Coast Age-friendly Action Plan, which was presented at this week’s Council meeting, had its genesis in 2006 when Council’s Ageing Well in the Redlands Strategy 2006-2016 was developed in consultation with the local aged community.

“Council has surveyed older residents who live on both the mainland and island communities to identify their perceptions of living and ageing in Redland City, what they value and barriers to healthy and active ageing,” she said.

“Council also consulted with key community organisations who work with older adults in Redland City.

“The next step is for Council to formally engage the wider community on the draft plan between 22 January and 2 March 2021.”

The draft plan includes eight key themes and highlights actions and key initiatives that Council will undertake over the next five years.

Initiatives proposed in the draft plan include:

Cooperative Research Centre Longevity – to attract investment, testing and trialing of products and services that serve an ageing population Centre of Excellence in Education for the Ageing Investment in health services Multi-purpose community centre Intergenerational programs Community transport solutions Ageing in Place Project – to identify and advance opportunities for older residents on the SMBI to age in place Increase the amount of shaded seating

For more information and to have your say on the draft Redlands Coast Age-friendly Action Plan 2021-2026, visit Council’s Your Say webpage.