Executive summary: 2006 Ageing awareness and action survey report

April 2006

Executive summary

The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) undertakes an annual survey to gauge awareness of population ageing within local government and to determine the level of local government action on population ageing issues. The survey is an initiative of the Australian Local Government Population Ageing Action Plan 2004-2008.

Section A - Who responded to the survey

ALGA received 226 responses to the 2006 survey, representing 33.6% of Australia's 673 local councils, just under the 2005 response rate of 232. Importantly, 95 new councils participated in the 2006 survey.

The highest response rate was from NSW, accounting for 68 responses or 30% or the total response. Local councils in rural Australia returned the highest number of surveys accounting for 41%.
The majority of respondents to the survey identified themselves as either holding the position of Director/Manager (31%) or Officer (60%).
A significant proportion of councils (62%) have a population base of less than 40,000 people and 59% of respondents indicated that the proportion of their population aged 65 years and over was between 10 and 19%.

Section B - Population ageing awareness

Every respondent to the survey is aware that Australia's population is ageing and 96% of respondents consider themselves informed. However while some councils will feel the impact more than others, no Australian council will be immune from the effects of an ageing population.

Ninety-nine percent of councils believe that population ageing will have an 'impact' on their local government area. Just over 30% of councils described the likely impact as severe.
The likely impact of population ageing is: Severe for home and community care, transport service; and moderate for health and wellbeing services, recreation and leisure services and cultural programs.
Just over half of all respondents believe that population ageing will have a moderate impact on councils revenue raising functions. Nearly 20% believe that population ageing will have a severe impact.
Sixty-four percent of respondents indicate a likely impact on local government planning functions. Yet, 17% of respondents believe the likely impact to be severe.
Over 75% of respondents to the survey describe the impact of population ageing on council's role as an employer as either moderate or minor.

Section C - Local government action

Councils have begun to respond to the impacts of population ageing, investing in a range of initiatives to support their senior residents.

77% of local councils have engaged with stakeholders in understanding local ageing needs, 57% of respondents have compiled a demographic profile and 29% have assessed the impact on council operations.
16% of councils have developed an ageing strategy, 28% are in the process and 44% expressed an intention.
Just over 70% of respondents identified the provision of library services as a major area of activity to support their senior residents. Home and community care was another major area of activity (48%).
Councils support their mature aged workers with a range of initiatives. The highest response rates were the promotion of a healthy work environment (135), carers leave (126) and part-time work (124).
One third of councils have funded population ageing issues training or awareness programs for councillors, staff or the community in the last 12 months.
Seniors organisations (162) and service providers (161) are the most common form of partnerships.
Seniors week (177) is the most popular initiative that local councils employed to promote recognition and support of its seniors.

Yet local government's ability to effectively respond to the opportunities and challenges of Australia's ageing population is hampered by a number of factors.

50% of respondents believe that spending on seniors/ageing issues has slightly increased as a consequence of the growing older population. Another 15% believe that there has been a large increase in spending.
133 councils have received a grant specifically to address ageing issues.
46% of local councils have a staff position that is dedicated to ageing issues.
The main factor limiting local government's response identified in the survey to population ageing is financial resources, with 137 responses. Consequently the most important future resource requirements identified by councils were financial resources (203).

Planning for an ageing community

ALGA's 2006 Ageing awareness and action survey report