12 April 2005
Conclusion
Older people are a significant and growing part of local communities. This inexorable trend presents both daunting challenges and real opportunities for local government. Older people offer rich life experience, well honed skills, knowledge and wisdom, qualities that significantly contribute to the social fabric of local communities. But our ageing population will also impact on planning and service delivery. These impacts spell real and growing challenges for Australia's 673 local councils.
Many councils are already well engaged in the ageing agenda, developing local strategies to support an ageing community. The next step for local government is to build on these initiatives and adopt a whole-of-council approach to population ageing issues.
As ALGA embarks on the implementation of the Australian Local Government Population Ageing Action Plan, it will be critical to assist local government plan for an ageing community. The way forward should include: a fair share of national taxation; better governance arrangements; establishment of the Local Government Ageing in Place pilot program; and the development of targeted ageing initiatives.
