In recent years, the former Duaringa Shire Council, which is now part of Central Highlands Regional Council in the Capricornia region of Queensland, implemented a range of initiatives to create a stronger, more vibrant community.
In the 1960s, the Shire’s town of Blackwater boomed as a mining town. It was considered a ‘young family’ town, where people thought they would only stay for a couple of years.
However, 30 years on, many of those that were only coming for a ‘short time’ were still living there. In addition, with the ‘bust period’ around 2001–2002, house prices were low and this encouraged older people to move to Blackwater to be near their families and a range of age appropriate services.
Council’s Community Development Officer, Lynda Connell, said this presented a problem, as there had been no long term planning for the community.
“People were ageing and requiring services, but due to small numbers it was difficult to establish the services required,” she said. “Singular agencies had made attempts to develop services with no success, so service development was starting from scratch.”
As such, in 2004 Council invited all stakeholders and interested residents to meet and evaluate the situation. Many gaps in services were identified and all stakeholders agreed that the community needed to work together to meet local needs and plan for the future.
“We formed the Health and Ageing Planning Group, which still exists under the new Council,” Lynda Connell said. “The group includes two Councillors, the Community Development Officer, older residents and other stakeholders to ensure that all stakeholders have an equal say on planning direction. In addition, Duaringa’s 2005–2009 Corporate Plan cemented the need for aged care services in its corporate plan for the first time.”
Lynda Connell said that has a result of these actions, Duaringa’s older people gained access to a modified access vehicle, meals service, high and low care packages, social activities, exercise programs, improved awareness and coordination of services and primary health activities. She said these services have all contributed to enhanced quality of life and are continuing under the new Central Highlands Council.
“The new Council has an understanding of how important the services are to our community and is working with the Planning Group to complement them with independent living units to ensure ‘ageing in place’,” Lynda Connell said. “Older people are able to remain in their community, and the town is richer by their presence and participation in community life.
“The outcomes and activities have had a positive impact on the image of ageing and it has built community care and pride.”
Lynda Connell said a key lesson Council learnt from this process is the value that older community members/seniors have in the planning process.
“By involving older residents in the planning group, we ensure that our services are in tune to the needs and desires of older people, who will directly benefit from this project,” she said. “We also encourage the seniors to share their skills and develop and initiate their own social activities.
“The entire process has empowered the seniors, which will have lasting effects as they voice their issues.
“Seniors’ networks and the time they commit cannot be underestimated. I encourage all councils to make all information and planning meetings accessible to them.”
For further information contact Lynda Connell on (07) 4980 5505.
