The City of Melville will also host the Australian launch of the World Health Organisation’s Age-Friendly Cities Guide in partnership with the Office for Seniors Interests and Carers.   

The strategy aims to create an age-friendly city by promoting active ageing, removing and preventing barriers that people encounter as they grow older and ensuring policies, services and structures related to the physical and social environment are designed to support and enable seniors to age actively.  

Mayor Katherine Jackson said with the municipality’s ageing population, it was important the City conducted relevant research into seniors’ issues to improve the life for older residents. “It is important that our seniors can live in security, enjoy good health and participate fully in their communities,” she said. “The Age-Friendly Melville Strategy shows the City of Melville’s commitment to ensuring these ideals become a reality.”  

The strategy was guided through a partnership, formed in June 2006, with the State Government. The government, through the Office for Seniors Interests and Carers, conducted research as part of the World Health Organisation – Age Friendly Cities (WHO – AFC) project. 

The City of Melville was the only local government in Australia to participate in the WHO – AFC project which aimed to identify indicators of an age-friendly city and produce a practical guide to encourage community development, advocacy and policy change.

City of Melville residents participated in WHO – AFC research, which involved 14 focus groups and a number of workshops with seniors, informal carers and relevant organisations.  They provided information on a range of different topics such as transportation, social participation, communication and information, community support and health services and other elements that make a city age friendly.

Community Development Manager Christine Young said the results of the focus groups and the WHO – AFC research guided the development of the Directions for Seniors Strategy. “The Age Friendly Melville Strategy captures the research and actions of the WHO – AFC project, as well as setting strategies for future directions by linking to the Community Plan,” she said. “One of the key priorities of the Community Plan is to create an age-friendly city by determining key priorities and identifying future strategies and actions.”

For more information on the Age Friendly Melville Strategy, contact Community Development Officer (Seniors), Teresa Campbell on 9364 0654 or email tecampbell@melville.wa.gov.au.