LEETON shire is a pretty good place to live, but is it a town properly equipped to deal with an ageing population?
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That is the question Leeton Shire Council is currently posing to the community.
The 2019 Population Projections from the state government indicated the population of Leeton is estimated to increase by 1300 people between 2016 and 2041, from 11,400 to 12,700.
The main driver of growth is natural growth with some modest numbers of people moving into the area from Victoria and elsewhere in regional NSW.
The working age population (aged 15 to 64) is estimated to remain stable, moving from 7000 in 2016 to 7100 in 2041 - a change of 100.
The number of children aged 14 and under is estimated to change by zero children, from 2450 in 2016 to 2450 in 2041.
The number of people aged 65 and over is estimated to increase from 2000 in 2016 to 3150 by 2041 - a change of 1150.
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With this in mind, council is hoping to understand how the services and facilities it provides support residents to "age well" - that is, to remain active, to be physically and mentally healthy, experience connectivity with others and a sense of meaning or purpose in their lives as they grow older.
Manager community services Wendell Peacock said council had prepared an Ageing Well Strategy in 2013-14 as a tool to advise and guide on fulfilling the community's aspirations for growing older.
"It's now time to review and update that strategy and, in particular, the action plan within it to ensure council can continue to effectively met the needs of our older residents and support them to live healthy, active and happy lives as they age," she said.
"Council is inviting all interested Leeton shire residents to complete a short survey that will inform the development of the strategy."
The survey is available at council's engagement portal "Have Your Say" online at https://haveyoursay.leeton.nsw.gov.au/ageing-strategy and will be available to complete until midnight on August 30.
Interested participants will need to first register to council's "Have Your Say" or login if they have already done so.
Hard copies of the survey are also be available at the Leeton library or the council offices in Chelmsford Place.
"The survey results, along with stakeholder interviews and other feedback, will help to ensure that the actions council plans for over the next five years will work towards achieving better outcomes for older people in our community, and support them to age well," Ms Peacock said.
The revised strategy will be published later this year.