- Ten-year plan to support older people and the State's ageing population
- Strategy to be supported by action plans across WA agencies
- Seniors and pre-seniors encouraged to participate in consultation process, with in-person forums scheduled across the State from Kununurra through to Albany
Public consultation to shape a Seniors Strategy for Western Australia has now commenced, with forums scheduled at locations across the State throughout May and June.
The McGowan Government's WA Seniors Strategy will set out the State Government's ten-year plan to support older people, and harness the opportunities and address the challenges of the State's ageing population.
The strategy will be supported by two-year action plans that connect and coordinate activity across WA agencies, focused on ensuring systems and services are responsive to older peoples' needs and maximising the benefits provided to seniors.
It will guide 'whole of community' action in making WA a place where older people can age actively, healthily and in the way of their choosing.
The strategy will encompass a number of topics, including inclusion and respect, participation and employment, accessible information and services, rights and advocacy, financial and housing security, communication and digital literacy, and healthy and safe living.
As part of the development of the strategy, the Department of Communities is keen to hear the thoughts and opinions of older Western Australians to help identify emerging themes and issues.
The Department of Communities will conduct a number of State-wide consultations throughout May and June 2022 to inform the strategy. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 55 years and over, or non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 65 years and over and pre-seniors are being encouraged to participate.
Consultation will be done through 'hybrid' focus groups (which will be available for both in-person and online participation), short online surveys, hard copy surveys and phone interviews.
Further information on opportunities to be involved in the consultation process, including how to register for one of the consultation sessions being held across WA, is available here. More detail can also be obtained by calling IPS Management Consultants team members Emma O'Hara (0431 239 075) or Liam Ashworth (0410 910 450) between 8.00am and 3.00pm Monday to Friday. Further consultation sessions may be added to the list.
Comments attributed to Seniors and Ageing Minister Don Punch:
"Research suggests that by 2060-61, 23 per cent of the population will be aged over 65 - a rise of around 7 per cent from 2020-21.
"This ageing population in WA offers many benefits, with older people making a significant contribution to our society and to our economy, as volunteers, paid workers, students, family members, carers and consumers.
"The strategy will look at supporting seniors to live the best life of their choosing, including through ageing with choice and living independently if they wish.
"All Western Australian seniors are strongly encouraged to get involved in the strategy's development, and we want to hear from as many people as possible - so please register now to attend a local consultation forum, complete a survey or request a one-on-one phone interview."
Minister's office - 6552 6900
WA Seniors Strategy consultation locations and session times:
Location | Date | Time | Venue |
Broome | Monday May 2nd | 10:45am - 12:45pm | The Gimme Club (capacity of 63) 7 Blackman Street, Broome |
Kununurra | Monday May 2nd | 5.00pm - 7.00pm | Kununurra Leisure Centre (capacity of 100) 115 Coolibah Drive, Kununurra |
Broome | Tuesday May 3rd | 3:00pm - 5:00pm | The Gimme Club (capacity of 63) 7 Blackman Street, Broome |
Port Hedland | Thursday May 5th | 9.30am - 11:30am | Lotteries House (capacity of 50) Unit 2/6 Byass Street, South Hedland |
Port Hedland | Thursday May 5th | 12:00pm - 2:00pm | Lotteries House (capacity of 50) Unit 2/6 Byass Street, South Hedland |
Karratha | Friday May 6th | 10:00am - 12:00pm | Karratha Leisureplex (capacity 35) Dampier Highway opposite Broadhurst Road, Karratha |
Karratha | Friday May 6th | 12:30pm - 2:30pm | Karratha Leisureplex (capacity 35) Dampier Highway opposite Broadhurst Road, Karratha |
Mandurah | Monday May 9th | 11.30am - 1:30pm | Mandurah Seniors Centre (capacity of 300) 41 Ormsby Terrace, Mandurah |
Mandurah | Monday May 9th | 2:000m - 4:00pm | Mandurah Seniors Centre (capacity of 300) 41 Ormsby Terrace, Mandurah |
Bunbury | Friday May 13th | 9:30am - 11:30am | Maker + Co 75 Victoria Street, Bunbury |
Busselton | Friday May 13th | 1:00pm - 3:00pm | Busselton Community Resource Centre Meeting Room 1 (capacity 45) 21 Cammilleri Street, Busselton |
Bassendean | Monday May 16th | 10:00am - 12:00pm | Bassendean Seniors and Community Centre (capacity up to 50) 50 Old Perth Road, Bassendean |
Bassendean | Monday May 16th | 12:30pm - 2:30pm | Bassendean Seniors and Community Centre (capacity up to 50) 50 Old Perth Road, Bassendean |
Nedlands Auslan Interpreter present | Monday May 23rd | 10:00am - 12:00pm | Nedlands Golf Club (capacity of 50) Note: Access by stairs only Melvista Avenue, Nedlands |
Nedlands | Monday May 23rd | 12:30pm - 2:30pm | Nedlands Golf Club (capacity of 50) Note: Access by stairs only Melvista Avenue, Nedlands |
Armadale Auslan Interpreter present | Friday May 27th | 10:00am - 12:00pm | Greendale Senior Centre (capacity of 60) 12 Coombe Avenue, Armadale |
Armadale | Friday May 27th | 12:30pm - 2:30pm | Greendale Senior Centre (capacity of 60) 12 Coombe Avenue, Armadale |
Geraldton | Monday May 30th | 10:00am - 12:00pm | Geraldton Multipurpose Centre (capacity of 40) 31 Foreshore Drive, Geraldton |
Geraldton | Monday May 30th | 12:30pm - 2:30pm | Geraldton Multipurpose Centre (capacity of 40) 31 Foreshore Drive, Geraldton |
Carnarvon | Tuesday May 31st | 10:00am - 12:00pm | Gwoonwardu Mia Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre (capacity 60) 146 Robinson Street, Carnarvon |
Carnarvon | Tuesday May 31st | 12:30pm - 2:30pm | Gwoonwardu Mia Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre (capacity 60) 146 Robinson Street, Carnarvon |
Albany | Wednesday June 1st | 10:45am - 12:45pm | City of Albany Civic Room (capacity of 50) 102 North Road, Albany |
Albany | Wednesday June 1st | 1:15pm - 3:15pm | City of Albany Civic Room (capacity of 50) 102 North Road, Albany |
Wanneroo | Thursday June 2nd | 10:00am - 12:00pm | City of Wanneroo Civic Centre, Banksia Rooms (capacity of 80) 23 Dunbar Road, Wanneroo |
Wanneroo Auslan Interpreter present | Thursday June 2nd | 12:30pm - 2:30pm | City of Wanneroo Civic Centre, Banksia Rooms (capacity of 80) 23 Dunbar Road, Wanneroo |
Kalgoorlie | Tuesday June 7th | 10:45am - 12:45pm | Eastern Goldfields Community Centre 13 Roberts St, Kalgoorlie S WA 6430 |
Kalgoorlie | Tuesday June 7th | 1:15pm - 3:15pm | Eastern Goldfields Community Centre 13 Roberts St, Kalgoorlie S WA 6430 |
Northam | Wednesday June 8th | 10:00am - 12:00pm | Northam Recreation Centre Meeting Rooms 1 and 2 Peel Terrace, Northam |
Northam | Wednesday June 8th | 12:30pm - 2:30pm | Northam Recreation Centre Meeting Rooms 1 and 2 Peel Terrace, Northam |