Brisbane tackles ageing communities
Brisbane City Council has released the findings of the Lord Mayor’s Taskforce into Retirement and Aged Care, which examined ways to keep older citizens in their own neighbourhoods.
Under a new Brisbane City Council plan, the needs of older people could be incorporated into the design of key public places and nursing home developments prioritised.
Retirement homes are often located towards the outskirts of Brisbane because of pressures on planning, a trend that can be seen in many urban areas around Australia.
The report predicted by 2026 almost 156,000 people in Brisbane would be 65 or older, an increase of 41,000 on the current population.
“It’s very bad for them to have to pick up and go away from their networks,” said Older People Speak Out president Val French. She went on to say that her organisation was also looking at innovative ways to increase the amount and diversity of accommodation for the aged.
The report and an on-line survey can be viewed at www.brisbane. qld.gov.au.
