12 April 2005
Discussion
Results of the survey have identified many emerging implications of an ageing population for local government. This section of the paper acts as a starting point for discussion through the identification of some general implications. This discussion is not exhaustive and consideration should also be given to other implications that could be identified as an area of action by local government.
Highly developed awareness
Local councils throughout Australia have demonstrated a strong interest in the ageing of the Australian population. The result is a high level of awareness of population ageing and the impacts it will have on their municipalities. Though, limited response was received by local councils in the Northern Territory and to a lesser extent Western Australia and Queensland and no response by interface councils. This suggests the need for further investigation, particularly when evidence indicates that population ageing will affect all regions in Australia.
Impact is extensive
Population ageing will impact on planning and service delivery, spelling real and growing challenges for Australia’s 673 local government authorities. As the survey results demonstrate, the ageing of the Australian population is likely to impact on a number of areas of local government service delivery. The main ones are expected to be:
Aged and community care services
While the majority of older people are, and perceive themselves as being, in good health, they want to be able to access affordable and quality aged care services, that are located close to family, should the need arise. Some local government authorities will experience an increase in the demand for aged care services, which may include meals programs, in home support, respite and allied health services and social support activities. Pressures may not only be demand related, but there may be an emerging trend in the shortage of healthcare professionals in some local government areas.
Infrastructure
The development of age-friendly infrastructure will be essential if older people are allowed to remain active and independent. However, local government will face increasing pressures relating to the suitability of infrastructure, much of which was built without particular consideration for ageing populations. Particularly, the planning, design and building of environments for older people, in both the public and private domain, will need to be considered at all stages of the planning process.
Housing
The availability of affordable, accessible and suitable housing options is particularly important for older people, and will be a priority as the Australian population ages. The changing age profile, along with lifestyle and work pattern changes, will impact on future housing arrangements. It will therefore be important to provide flexible models of accommodation, encompassing a wide range of settings, while at the same time fostering supportive environments and independence.
Transport
Transport enables older people to access services, family and friends and also community activities. Ageing populations will increase the demand for community-based transport. As a result, transport options will need to meet the diverse needs of older people, especially in rural and remote areas of Australia.
Health promotion programs
Health promotion is vital for encouraging healthy ageing, as it not only improves the health of the community, but also has the potential to reduce the health and care costs of older people. Health promotion activities aimed at older people encourage them to exercise regularly, eat well, develop and maintain social networks and access activities in their local community. The increased promotion of health education, campaigns and programs which are targeted and appropriate for older people, will be important as Australia's population continues to age. The quandary for local government, as demand for these programs increases, will be how these programs are funded in the future.
Community facilities
Local government will face declining demand for certain types of community facilities, such as recreation and sporting facilities that are not necessarily suitable for the ageing population. The dilemma for local government will be in relation to the allocation of funds across the various categories of service and how to keep a region attractive for all age cohorts and thereby avoiding a cycle of decline.
It is important to note that this additional demand comes at a time when local government is already under considerable financial pressure and that many of these functions are not historically local government functions. The extent of this additional demand has been highlighted in both the 2003-04 State of the Regions Report and also the Productivity Commission research study – Economic implications of an ageing Australia.
Action has commenced
Throughout Australia, local councils have begun to respond to the impacts of population ageing. Some local councils have developed, or are considering developing, local strategies to support an ageing community.
However, with just one-quarter of local councils having developed a strategy in response to population ageing, there is scope to increase the research and policy focus of population ageing by local councils. By considering this issue now, local councils could possibly minimise the negative impacts of population ageing on local communities and maximise the opportunities it presents.
Within this strategic planning process, local councils need to adopt a whole-ofcouncil approach to population ageing. This can promote better integration and co-ordination of planning effort and maximise available resources and expertise through improved co-operation. This would lead to better services and improved, more relevant facilities for older people.
The survey results also illustrate that considerable investment has been made by local councils in library services, provision of community grants, seniors centres, home and community care and recreation and leisure services to support their seniors population. But, as the proportion of older people increases over the coming decades the needs of the population will change.
Utilisation patterns and preferences will evolve accordingly and there will be increased expectation that local government will accommodate those changing needs. Already, there are a number of emerging service areas, including health and wellbeing programs, continuing education and housing.
Often these activities/initiatives have been in partnership with other spheres of government and/or the private sector. The next step for local government is to build on these partnerships, as the actions of an individual council to respond to population ageing, will only make a long term contribution if they are integrated with the work of other organisations and governments. Specifically, local councils need to strengthen their relationship with traditional stakeholders such as the aged care sector and governments and grow their partnerships with seniors groups and the business community.
Resources are needed
The survey results highlight the need to build the capacity of local government to meet the specific opportunities and challenges of an ageing community. The way forward for local government should include:
A fair share for local government
Local government requires access to growth funds to meet the fiscal challenges of an ageing population. ALGA recommends the replacement of the grossly inadequate system of financial assistance grants, with a new system that provides local government with genuine growth funding based on a fair share of national taxation revenue. Providing local government with a fair share of national taxation revenue will enable local government to:
- improve its capacity to provide common levels of service to ageing communities across Australia;
- improve the delivery of service to ageing communities;
- maintain and improve the quality of social and physical infrastructure across Australia; and
- help counter growing regional inequality.
Better governance arrangements
A whole of government approach to human services and governance is required to effectively meet the needs of the growing older population. ALGA recommends the establishment of a formalised intergovernmental agreement (IGA) on government service provision. The IGA would clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each sphere of government in specific areas of service provision and focus on the performance of each sphere through agreed benchmarks.
The IGA would provide substantial benefits, including better use of resources, reduction of waste and duplication and an improvement in the quality of services provided to local communities.
Establishment of the Local Government Ageing in Place pilot program
The data shows that there is an urgent need to enhance the capacity of local government in bringing about more effective local area planning and provision of services to ageing communities. To achieve this, ALGA recommends the establishment of the Local Government Ageing in Place pilot program. The pilot program would be delivered under the auspice of an Australian Government/ALGA partnership.
Targeted at both individual councils and/or groups of councils, this initiative would be subject to a competitive process. Each pilot would require successful council/s, to design and deliver local/regional ageing outcomes. Initiatives that build synergies with other council initiatives such as public safety, health, urban design, transport and housing should receive priority.
Development of targeted ageing initiatives
The launch of the Australian Local Government Population Ageing Action Plan marks a turning point for local government in planning for an ageing Australia. As ALGA embarks on the implementation phase, it will be critical to develop targeted ageing initiatives to assist local government plan for particular impacts of an ageing population.
Targeted initiatives could investigate the impact of an ageing population on the local built environment. The development of age-friendly built environments will be essential if older people are allowed to remain active and independent. Another possible area of investigation is in relation to health promotion and healthy ageing. Health promotion is vital for encouraging healthy ageing, as it not only improves the health of the community, but also has the potential to reduce the health and care costs of older people.
These initiatives would be delivered under the auspice of an Australian Government/ALGA partnership.
