Positive Ageing community consultations
Wingecarribee Shire Council will hold workshops across the Shire next week as part of planning for the needs of our ageing population.
The Wingecarribee Positive Ageing Strategy 2016-2026 will document how Council aims to support older people to live happy, healthy, independent lives and remain connected to the community as they age.
Chair of Council’s Seniors Working Group, Councillor Juliet Arkwright, thanked the 300-plus respondents that completed Council’s positive ageing survey and invited people passionate about creating a community that supports positive ageing to one of the community workshops commencing Monday 19 May.
90 per cent of people that completed the survey agreed or strongly agreed that the Southern Highlands is a good place for older people to live.
“This is a very pleasing result,” Councillor Arkwright said. “But there were also areas identified where we can do more to make the Shire an even better place for the older people to age well.”
Council’s Ageing Project Officer, Eliza Hazlett explained the aim of the workshops.
“The consultations will not only provide an opportunity to present the survey results but allow people to share their views on priority areas and practical actions that would improve the community for people as they age,” she said.
Consultations will be held at:
- Mittagong Community Centre, on Monday 18 May from 1 – 3pm
- Bundanoon Soldiers Memorial Hall, on Tuesday 19 May, from 10am – 12pm
- Moss Vale Civic Centre, on Tuesday 19 May, from 2.30 – 4.30pm
- Hill Top Community Centre, on Wednesday 20 May, from 10am – 12pm
- Bowral, Henrietta Rose Room, on Wednesday 20 May, from 2 – 4pm
- Moss Vale Civic Centre, on Monday 25 May, from 5.30 – 7.30pm
“Our older residents are experienced, well informed and have a wealth of knowledge and ideas on how to contribute to this process,” Councillor Arkwright added. “They are best placed to tell us what is most important to them and how they would like the community to support them as they age.”
“I encourage as many people as possible to attend one of our consultation sessions.”
To book your place or to hear more about the Positive Ageing Strategy, visit www.yoursaywingecarribee.com.au/ageing-strategy or contact Eliza Hazlett, at eliza.hazlett@wsc.nsw.gov.au or on (02) 4868 0761.