Brimbank

Age Friendly

City Plan

2018-2022

Brimbank Age Friendly City Plan 2018-2022 1

Introduction

2

Brimbank Ageing Community Snapshot

3

An Age Friendly City

4

Policy Context

5

Community Consultation – What the Community Said 6

Guiding Principles

8

Action Areas

9

References

17

2 Brimbank Age Friendly City Plan 2017-2021

Introduction

An age friendly community encourages and removes

barriers to social participation. It supports the rights

of older people to make choices about the way they

live and provides quality services to support those

who need them.

Age Friendly Cities and communities are places

where older people live safely, enjoy good health

and stay involved. Guiding the development of Age

Friendly communities is a process that actively

involves older people in creation, implementation,

decision making and development of a plan of

action to bring about sustainable change in their

communities.

The Brimbank Age Friendly City Plan 2018-2022

provides the direction for Council to deliver an age

friendly city and the Plan has been developed in

response to what the community has told Council.

The Plan aims to create opportunities for ageing

people to live active and fulfilling lives, where they

actively participate in community life. The Brimbank

Age Friendly City Plan 2018-2022 focuses on the

eight age friendly domains and its progress will be

reported on through an annual community report

card.

Brimbank Age Friendly City Plan 2017-2021 3

Brimbank

Ageing

Community

Snapshot

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on

the night of the census 2016:

• Brimbank’s population was 194,319 with 50% female

and 50% male

• 33.1% of the total population was aged over 50, an

increase of 17% since 2011.

• Over two-thirds of the population over 50 in Brimbank

were born overseas mainly in Vietnam, Malta and Italy.

• 9.5% of the total population of Brimbank were

beneficiaries of the aged pension.

• 12,473 of Brimbank residents or 6.4% of the total

population indicated a need for assistance with core

activities. 8,924 or 4.6% of people in need of assistance

are aged 55 years and over.

• The population forecast for 2030 will be 215,613 and

57,034 will be aged 55 years and over 26% of the total

population.

According to the Australian Government 2015

Intergenerational Report Australians will live longer and

continue to have the longest life expectancies in the world.

In 2054-55, life expectancy is projected to be 95.1 years for

men and 96.6 years for women, compared with 91.5 and

93.6 years today.

4 Brimbank Age Friendly City Plan 2017-2021

An Age Friendly City

An age friendly city supports active ageing as the process of optimising opportunities based on health, participation

and security

1

, and the key to creating an age friendly environment is including older people in the process.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Age Friendly Domain Framework includes eight domains that when adapted

and applied to a community help enhance the quality of life as people age. The eight domains are: housing, social

participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, communication and information,

community support and health services, outdoor spaces and buildings and transportation.

In order to enhance the quality of life as people age the Who Age Friendly Domain Framework provides the basis for

the development of action plans and policies that promote health and positive ageing for all.

1 WHO, Active Aging: A Policy Framework, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland, 2002, page 12.

Housing

Age-friendly

Communities

Outdoor spaces

and buildings

Community

support and

health services

Communication and

information

Respect and

social inclusion

Social

participation

Civic participation

and employment

Transportation

Brimbank Age Friendly City Plan 2017-2021 5

Policy Context

Under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 (Vic) local governments are required to prepare Municipal Public

Health and Wellbeing Plans (MPHWPs) consistent with the Victorian state health planning priorities. These

plans acknowledge that health is determined by decisions made by Council departments as diverse as finance,

engineering, statutory and strategic planning, transport, and social and cultural planning. The three platforms

(healthy & sustainable environments, place based approaches and person-centred approaches) identified in the

Victorian Public Health & Wellbeing Plan 2015–2019 match well with the eight determinants of healthy ageing

identified in the WHO Global Age Friendly Cities and Communities initiative, and the process suggested by the WHO

for undertaking Age Friendly initiatives.

The Brimbank Community Plan 2009-2030 (updated 2013) describes the community’s vision and priorities for the

next 20 years and establishes a shared basis for joint planning, service delivery and advocacy.

It is the foundation for Council’s partnership development with community members, community groups, service

providers, local organisations and State and Commonwealth Government organisations.

The Council Plan 2018-2022, was adopted in August 2017. The Plan outlines the key objectives and strategic

directions that work towards achieving the vision for Brimbank. The Age Friendly City Plan 2018-2022 aligns with

Goal 1, An Inclusive Community of the Council Plan 2018-2022.

In April 2016, the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) signed an Age-Friendly Declaration with the State

Government, providing a commitment to work together on creating age-friendly communities and Brimbank City

Council signed the Declaration in 2017.

By 2021 Council will investigate seeking the WHO Aged Friendly City accreditation.

The Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Plan takes a life-course approach, while the ‘Improving care for older

people: a policy for health services’, released in 2003, aims to develop a person-centred approach to the provision of

hospital care.

The Elder abuse prevention and response guidelines for action 2012–14 outline the priorities and actions to help

older Victorians live safely, free from harm and abuse. The Healthy Ageing Program, through funded advisors

working in regions of Victoria; the Victorian Active Ageing Partnership and the Age-Friendly Victoria initiative all

provide a range of agendas for the Victorian health system or program grants to local governments.

Policies and plans that influence AFCC include: Department of Health and Human Services Strategic Plan, Victorian

Health and Wellbeing Plan 2015, Victorian Enquiry into Senior Victorians, Age Friendly Victoria and the NDIS and

HACC reforms.

In 2012, the Commonwealth Government released the Living Longer, Living Better (LLLB) - Aged Care Reform

Package which is aimed at improving the national aged care system; this legislation is under review.

6 Brimbank Age Friendly City Plan 2017-2021

Community Consultation –

What the community said

Council considered older people as key partners in developing the Plan.

From May to June 2017, the community was invited to help inform the Plan.

Approximately 735 people and organisations contributed their ideas to the Plan and the ideas have contributed to

the final Age Friendly City Plan 2018-2022.

Activity

Numbers

Planning Meeting with Brimbank Active Seniors

N/A

Brimbank Active Seniors Training Session

10

Community Forum

77

Service Provider Survey

7

Online Community Survey

494

Group Interviews/Sessions

6 sessions: 147 responses

Brimbank Active Seniors Post Survey

4

Council heard:

• Council should continue to utilise the Brimbank Active Seniors (BAS) to engage more older people and lead Age

Friendly awareness in Brimbank.

• Council needs to continue to engage with older people in Brimbank to identify concerns and issues.

• Ensure information and resources are available in community languages, in plain language and follow the

guidelines for accessible printed information.

Council will:

• Continue to work with the Brimbank Active Seniors 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.

17%

9%

15%

31%

17%

13%

20%

6%

9%

10%

12%

13%

11%

17%

Transportation

Transportation

Housing

Housing

Social participation

Social participation

Respect and social inclusion

Respect and social inclusion

Communication and information

Communication and

information

Civic participation

and employment

Community support and health services

Community support

and health services

Outdoor spaces

and buildings

Brimbank Age Friendly City Plan 2017-2021 7

Services Brimbank Active Seniors Training Session - 10 participants

Services Community Consultation Workshop - 77 participants

Ensure ageing people’s

participation in decision

making and consultation is

conducted with ageing people

for ageing people.

Listening to ageing people

and recognising their

knowledge, experience, hopes

and aspirations.

Provide a community

environment which supports

inclusive and accessible

opportunities to increase the

sense of belonging for ageing

people.

Brimbank Age Friendly City Plan 2017-2021 9

Action Areas

• Older people want a review of public spaces to

improve access

• Public facilities should be allocated according

to community group size

• Public spaces need to be easier to hire for

community groups

• Buildings need to be accessible

• Public toilets need to be clean and well lit

• Improved lighting and signage

• Footpath repairs required

• Improvements required in rubbish removal

and disposal areas

• Continue to investigate increased seating in

and around shopping centres

• Pursue funding for improved lighting around

public spaces and carparks

• Continue to conduct audits of footpaths in

Brimbank to identify and fix broken pathways

• Seek to increase rubbish bins in public spaces

to reduce litter

• Seek to improve the cleanliness of public

toilets and utilities

• Conduct a review of the range of facilities for

older people

• Continue to develop design principles for

public spaces to improve access for older

people

When people view a community as safe and accessible it encourages outdoor activities or engagement with the

community. Accessibility involves removing barriers that limit opportunities for people with disabilities, including

older adults with age-related impairments, and allowing older adults to participate in social activities or to access

important health and social services and businesses (World Health Organisation (WHO) - Age Friendly Cities Guide).

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Parks and footpaths

Shopping Centre

Signage and lighting

Safe and clean environment

Accessible and adequate toilets

Accessible buildings

10 Brimbank Age Friendly City Plan 2017-2021

• Improve and expand reliable transport options

for those that cannot or do not drive

• More community buses are needed

• Improve parking with extended time

allowances and more accessible spots

• Drop-off areas in high density areas such as

shopping centres and transport hubs

• Improved access and design of pedestrian

crossings and rail crossings

• Clearer and larger signage at car parks about

parking limits

• Transport options that connect different

community

• Investigate reliable and affordable transport

options for people who cannot afford to drive

including more comprehensive community

bus services

• Investigate parking restriction options for

older people, in public/private areas such as

shopping centres, train stations and medical

centres

• Seek funding for the design and installation

of more pedestrian crossings on roads and rail

crossings

• Investigate the viability of auditing and

replacing signage in carparks to increase

visibility and readability

• Review of transport for older people to

address issues of transport disadvantage

and improve transport options in local

communities

The condition and design of transportation-related infrastructure such as signage, traffic lights and sidewalks

affects personal mobility. Access to reliable, affordable public transport becomes increasingly important when driving

becomes stressful or challenging (World Health Organisation (WHO) - Age Friendly Cities Guide).

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%

Ability to move around safely

Courteous Service

Information availability

Safe Crossings

Parking

Accessibility

Driving

Reliable Options

Affordable

Brimbank Age Friendly City Plan 2017-2021 11

• Home maintenance is required for many as

there are currently long wait lists and high

costs

• People prefer to stay in their own homes

• Alternative living spaces (nursing homes and

retirement villages) are too expensive for

most people

• Rates keep increasing and are becoming

unaffordable

• Seek funding for a home improvement

scheme where older people can have

modifications made to their house in a timely

manner

• Better coordinate in-home maintenance

schemes so older people can stay in their

homes

• Continue to encourage the development

of diverse dwelling types in appropriate

locations across Brimbank to suit the needs of

all life stages

For many older adults, ageing in place is desirable. The availability of appropriate, affordable housing with a choice of

styles and locations that incorporates flexibility through adaptive features is essential for Age Friendly Communities

(World Health Organisation (WHO) - Age Friendly Cities Guide).

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Home Maintenance and assistance

Accessible design

Modification of existing homes

Close to services

Community connection

Housing choices

Affordable

12 Brimbank Age Friendly City Plan 2017-2021

• Language barriers often make older people

feel unheard

• Community interests are highly varied

• Transport to and from activities can be

difficult

• The technological divide is getting larger and

larger

• Information is not available in languages other

than English, making it challenging for some

to access social information

• Investigate further introducing discounted

rates, where appropriate, for programs and

activities conducted for older people in

Council facilities

• Establish bimonthly meeting of seniors

groups in each Council ward to encourage

community engagement and participation of a

wide variety of people

• Ensure a diverse range of Council events are

conducted that encourage cross-cultural

community participation

• Expand the range and type of Council

community-based programs and events

• Develop new lifelong learning programs

designed by, and for, older people

• Develop a range of community grants

designed to support social, cultural and

community participation of older people

Interacting with family and friends is an important part of positive mental health and community awareness. Social

participation involves the level of interaction that older adults have with other members of their community and the

extent that the community itself makes this interaction possible (World Health Organisation (WHO) - Age Friendly

Cities Guide).

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%

Learning English

Accessibility (friendly, affordable, times, ...)

Awareness and information

Lifelong learning

Engaging isolated people

Opportunities for diverse interests, ages...

Able and easy to join activities

Brimbank Age Friendly City Plan 2017-2021 13

• Activities need to be easy to join

• Need to engage all older people

• Diversity in types of events held

• English lessons and lifelong learning should be

offered to older people

• A lack of promotion of social activities

• The need for positive stories regarding older

people in the media to challenge thinking and

generate understanding

• The need for a concerted transport program

to facilitate access and participation

• People are isolated because it is hard for them

to access information

• Encourage older people to become involved

and attend community activities and build

friendships

• Use the local and wider media to portray

positive stories of older people to challenge

stereotypes of ageing

• Develop information resources and

community engagement programs in

partnership with older people

• Develop peer-to-peer support networks to

improve social and community participation

of isolated older people

Community attitudes, such as a general feeling of respect and recognising the role that older adults play in our

society, are critical factors for establishing an Age Friendly Community. Age Friendly Communities foster positive

images of ageing and intergenerational understanding to challenge negative attitudes (World Health Organisation

(WHO) - Age Friendly Cities Guide).

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Cultural and group inclusion

Challenging ageism and ignorance

General courtesy and respect

Older people portrayed positively in the media

14 Brimbank Age Friendly City Plan 2017-2021

• Language barriers often make older people

feel unheard

• Community interests are highly varied

• Transport to and from activities can be

difficult

• The technological divide is getting larger and

larger

• Information is not available in languages other

than English, making it challenging for some

to access social information

• Develop an intergenerational program where

older and younger people can socialise and

become mentors/mentees to each other

• Promote to local businesses the advantages

of employing older people

• Develop a community register of older

people with different skills that can be

used to expand paid work and volunteer

opportunities for older people

• Continue to develop the Brimbank Active

Seniors Network as a local consumer

advocacy group for older people

• Work with peak consumer agencies to provide

local advocacy and service support for older

people

Civic engagement includes older adults’ desire to be involved in aspects of community life that extend beyond their

day-to-day activities, such as volunteering, becoming politically active, voting or working on committees. Economic

security is important for many older adults, particularly those with low and fixed incomes. The ability of an older adult

to remain employed or find new employment provides economic security, and it benefits employers who recognise

the experience and commitment that older employees bring to the workplace (World Health Organisation (WHO) -

Age Friendly Cities Guide).

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%

Recognition and value

Being aware and involved in decision making process

Awareness and information

Employment and training opportunities

Age discrimination

Volunteer opportunities

Brimbank Age Friendly City Plan 2017-2021 15

• Appropriate range of languages is needed

• Font size and clear colour schemes

• Hard copies – information needs to be

available face-to-face, in print and via the

telephone

• Council documents need to be translated

• Ensure communication from Council can be

accessed online, via social media, via printed

mail outs and via community noticeboards/

hubs

• Develop community noticeboards at

centralised locations that have a wide variety

of up-to-date information for older people

• Ensure information, both online and printed,

where possible, follows readability and

usability guidelines for older people (regarding

font size, colour schemes used etc.)

• Ensure information is provided in a wide

variety of community languages

• Develop a regular newsletter targeted at older

people that is distributed to households and

informs of activities and important Council

information

• Continue to review Council’s website to ensure

that prompts take people directly to the

information they require

• Work with consumer advocacy agencies and

older people to develop local information

resources designed for older people

Age Friendly Communities make sure that information about community events or important services is both readily

accessible and in formats that are appropriate for older adults. Moreover, an Age Friendly Community recognises

the diversity within the older adult population and promotes outreach initiatives to non-traditional families, ethno

cultural minorities, newcomers and aboriginal communities (World Health Organisation (WHO) - Age Friendly Cities

Guide).

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Friendly and timely person to person service

Size of font

Wide distribution - written and online

Other languages

Importance of word of mouth and talking

Easy to find and understand

16 Brimbank Age Friendly City Plan 2017-2021

• Relevant and clear information is required

• Convenient and accessible services – many

clinics have a two-week waiting period

• Long wait times for home services

• There is lack of respect for different cultures

and a need for cultural competence

• Long waiting lists

• The need for an affordable health service

• The need for multicultural and CALD services

in interpreting, writing and presentation of

information

• Provide improved translated information

resources to make them appropriate for

people of a wide variety of cultures and

ethnicities

• Coordinate cultural competency training for

people working in health and community

services in partnership with other local

service providers

• Provide printed health information in a variety

of languages

• Investigate the development of a community

resource hub for people with disabilities,

language barriers or who are socially isolated

to help them access services

• Investigate the availability of translators used

by health and community service providers

• Liaise with local health services to identify

the reasons for extended waiting lists and

develop an action plan to help people to be

seen by health services as required

• Participate in Sustainability Victoria’s Healthy

Homes program and associated actions

arising out of the Climate Change Adaptation

Framework Action Plan

• Promote a dementia friendly community

Good mental and physical health contributes to quality of life and Age Friendliness. When evaluating Age

Friendliness, consider access to community-related services that support physical or mental well-being and the

availability of health promotion or awareness services that promote and support healthy behaviours and life choices

(World Health Organisation (WHO) - Age Friendly Cities Guide).

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Suitable residential facilities

Helpful and respectful staff

Adequate and reliable services

Conveniently located

Affordable and easy to use services

Relevant and clear information

Brimbank Age Friendly City Plan 2017-2021 17

References

Council on the Ageing (COTA) - Brimbank Age Friendly City Plan 2018-2022 Brimbank Community Consultation

Evaluation Report

Dr Kathleen Brasher - Policy Context - History of Age Friendly

.id Consulting - http://www.id.com.au/brimbank

The Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2016

9249 4000

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