The Age Friendly City Plan 2018-2022 was adopted at last night’s Ordinary Council Meeting following the release of the draft plan to the community in November/December last year.

Mayor of Brimbank City Council, Cr Margaret Giudice said the Age Friendly City Plan articulates Council’s role and direction for supporting Brimbank’s ageing community.

“This plan provides us with a view of the social, physical, cultural and economic environment experienced by older people living in our community.

“Throughout the process of developing the plan it became clear that older people in the community, and the broader community in general, had a mighty lot to say about shaping an age friendly Brimbank.

“More than 730 people and service providers contributed their ideas to help shape this plan.

“I think this response speaks volumes about what’s on the minds of our community, and we are most grateful for the valuable input we received.

“Now it’s time to put the plan to work,” Cr Giudice said.

The key areas for action from the plan that Council will focus on include outdoor spaces and public buildings, transportation, housing, social participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, communication and information, community support and health services.

Council will also:

·        Continue to work with Brimbank Active Seniors (BAS) to investigate formal and informal ways to engage more with older people in leading age friendly awareness for Brimbank

·        Regularly engage with older people so they can have their say about the community in which they live

·        Ensure information and resources are available in different community languages, in plain language and that they follow the relevant guidelines

The Plan was guided by the World Health Organisation’s Age Friendly City framework.

A copy of the Age Friendly City Plan 2018-2022 is available at brimbank.vic.gov.au.