AUSTRALIA: Awards encourage better homes for older Australians

Safe and purpose designed environments are essential if older Australians are to lead more independent and active lives, the Minister for Ageing, Julie Bishop, said today.

In Canberra today two awards sponsored by the Australian Government – the Health Services Award and the Planning for Safe, Accessible and Adaptable Built Environments for Ageing Communities Award – highlighted the need for innovative design and contemporary thinking to take account of Australia’s ageing demographic.

The awards are among this year’s National Awards for Local Government, which recognise achievement and innovation by local government in various fields. The planning award was conferred as part of the Year of the Built Environment.

“Australia must plan, design and develop flexible, age-friendly housing and urban environments that meet the changing needs of our ageing population,” Ms Bishop said.

“These awards recognise the efforts of local governments across Australia who are creating environments including public areas, recreation grounds, parks and entertainment venues, that better cater to older Australians.

“I congratulate the winner of the planning award, Hume City Council in Victoria, for its ‘Better Living in Broadmeadows and Dallas Urban Renewal Plan’. The council’s planners showed a strong understanding of the complex issues that face ageing communities.

“I also congratulate the winner of the Health Services Award, the City of Tea Tree Gully, for its ‘Saturdays for Us’ project. This innovative program was designed to meet the needs of male dementia sufferers aged 55 years and older. The project has led to more appropriate referrals for clients,” she said.

By sponsoring the awards the Australian Government was supporting the development of better environments for all Australians. “Better built environments improve the way we live,” Ms Bishop said.

“The Australian Government sponsors these awards as part of the National Strategy for an Ageing Australia, to engage local government action on population ageing issues. The awards enhance the Australian Local Government Population Ageing Action Plan, which was funded by the Australian Government.”

The National Strategy for an Ageing Australia represents a whole of government approach to our changing demographic and seeks to raise awareness of the implications of Australia‘s ageing population.