Development of the plan
The initial focus related to activities at the 2003 National General Assembly of Local Government. The highlights:
- The release of 2003 ALGA/National Economic State of the Regions report which illustrated the impact of an ageing population on Australia's regions and how and where this impact would be felt.
- The Minister for Ageing, Julie Bishop address to delegates in the 'mini-plenary' on population ageing
- The Ageing Australia workshop that assisted councils to better understand the implications of ageing at both a national and local level.
From December 2003 to February 2004 a range of different forms of consultation were undertaken across local government. Wide ranging views, suggestions, facts and opinions were gathered, as well as formal data was collected through research.
On 12 March, ALGA released a discussion paper - An older Australia: Identifying areas for local government action - to guide the development of the action plan. The paper provided information and data on issues of importance to local government in relation to population ageing. To stimulate discussion, key questions were put forward about how local government might: respond to demographic change; identify opportunities and challenges and deliver results.
ALGA also convened a national workshop which was held on 4 May. The workshop provided an opportunity for local government associations to help set the priorities for the development of the action plan. The workshop explored strategies to move the agenda forward and provided an opportunity for participants to share information about activities and projects underway in each jurisdiction.
