Strategic Plan Making Assignment Three

Figure

Acknowledgement of Country

This report acknowledges and recognises the traditional custodians of the land on which we reside, the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation whose lands were never ceded. The City of Whittlesea is situated on the grounds of the Wurundjeri Willum Clan, who have inhabited their Country for 60,000 years. Always was, always will be Aboriginal Land.

Executive Summary

The Need for an Ageing Strategy

Map of Current Infrastructure

Demographics

Vision and Goals

Alignment with Other Strategies

Community Engagement Strategy

Actions

Goal 1

Goal 2

Goal 3

Goal 4

Goal 5

Monitoring and Evaluation Plan

References

Total Count: 3204

Figure 3

Photo from City of Whittlesea, 2016. (Retrieved 20 October from, https://www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/media/3491/positive-ageing-strategy-201625.pdf). Copyright statement City of Whittlesea.

Executive Summary

Ageing in Place in Mernda North 20232028 will ensure that Mernda North will be a great place to age for all. The plan sets out five strategic goals to ensure positive ageing in the suburb: aligned with international standards laid out by the World Health Organisation and state legislation. Maintaining a happy and healthy lifestyle is critical to ensure a smooth transition into one’s later years, and it is important that older adults remain engaged, respected and safe in Mernda North. Ageing in Place in Mernda North builds upon the previous Positive Ageing Strategy of promoting social equity and social interconnectedness throughout the community and adds an additional domain of environmental sustainability to mitigate environmentally driven health risks and promote a greater quality of life.

The Need For An Ageing Strategy

According to the WHO, 1 in 6 people worldwide will be 60 years and over by 2030 (2020). Owed to the advent of modern medicine, improvements to nutrition, sanitation practices and lifestyle changes: people are living longer than ever (Kirkwood, 2017). Mernda North is home to a large working-aged population, with the 35-39 age group comprising the largest majority (11.5%). Within 20 years, there will be a significant number of working-aged residents who have transitioned into old age, requiring an ageing strategy to facilitate a seamless transition into the retirement years. Within Mernda*, it is estimated that people over the age of 55 will comprise of 40.5% of the population growth by 2041 (Forecast.id, 2022).

What is Ageing in Place?

Ageing in place is a term which features heavily in contemporary strategic plans, referring to the ability to remain autonomous in one’s home and within the community for as long as possible (Wiles et al., 2012). Whilst the concept of ageing is often immediately associated with the aged care sector, the ABS found that the overwhelming majority (95.3%) of older people (over the age of 65) lived in households. Therefore, a successful ageing strategy needs to encompass accessibility within the neighbourhood through all sectors as our needs and mobility evolve throughout older age. Applying age-friendly considerations to cities benefits not only the elderly but also the mobility impaired and children (Pérez-del Hoyo et al., 2016).

Council’s Commitment To Positive Ageing

• Council has signed the AgeFriendly Victoria Declaration.

• In 2022, Council has committed to the EveryAGE Counts Campaign to end ageism.

• Whilst the WHO Age Friendly Cities framework informs the Positive Aging Strategy 2016-2025, Council has not been included in the Global Network yet. 10/31 Metropolitan Melbourne councils are a part of the network (WHO, 2022).

By making cities and communities age-friendly, we ensure that cities and communities are inclusive and equitable places that leave no one behind.” World Health Organisation. 2018

Figure 4

Photo taken by Anita Ye, 2022

Current Facilities

retrieved from https://www.data.vic.gov.au/

Desktop analysis conducted via GIS and through databases such as ‘My Community Directory’ and the Whittlesea online directory revealed very few senior clubs throughout the suburb. Furthermore, it was found that there are no non-English speaking clubs within the suburb. Residents in the retirement village do live within a 500-metre vicinity of the Mernda Village Drive Town Centre, but live well outside an 800-metre catchment for the train station.

Figure 5

Map made by Anita Ye, 2022. GIS Data

55+ Community

Mernda North

11,427 Residents

Approx 17% of residents are over 55

61.9% of people 55-64 yro are still in the labour force

Over 55’s are overrepresented in all health issues with the exception of asthma and lung disease. Cases in 55+ 558/758 376/552

Diabetes Cancer

The top 5 countries of birth outside Australia are: Italy, India, England, Greece and North Macedonia

All statistics retrieved from ABS Community Profile Data 2021 unless otherwise stated

All cases of Dementia present in those aged 6585+

Older people constitute 23.7% of the total population identifying with a Mental Health Condition

58/67

There is more than double the amount of women with a Mental Health Condition compared to men.

F:139 M: 65

12.9% of males and 25.7% of females live in lone households.

54.1% of people that cannot speak English well are between the ages of 55-85+. People of Indian origin dominate the population composition in the 2544yro group (18.7%), which does not translate in the 55+ group (3.2%).

39.2% of all over 55+ are born overseas

Of the 1018 residents that stated they provided assistance to those with a disability or old age, 29.6% of people comprised of over 55 yro.

9.9% of older people volunteered 25.1% of people that volunteer are over 55.

Compared to Greater Melbourne, in which approximately 1 in 4 people are over the age of 55, Mernda North has a smaller older population (ABS, 2021). The large working-aged population will transition into this age demographic within the next 20 years.

Vision

Mernda North will be a great place to age for all.

Mernda North will be safe and welcoming for older people to age in place. Older people will be able to live in comfort and safety, with ample access to wellbeing services, engage within their communities, be received with respect and maintain an active and healthy lifestyle in Mernda North.

Goals

Goal 1

Access To Health And Support Services.

Older people are able to access support for their physical and mental health as they age. Older adults will receive readily available resources that allow them to Age in Place successfully to the greatest degree of comfort.

Goal 2

Valued and Engaged

Every older person is received with respect and dignity. They will be valued for their contributions to society and welcomed with open arms by their community. Everyone will be able to have a voice, regardless of linguistic barriers.

Goal 3

Feeling Safe

Goal 4

Breathing Green

Goal 5

Older people feel safe and confident navigating Mernda North independently. Within the home, they are free from abuse and violence.

The lives of older people are supplemented by a Mernda North that values sustainability. Their livelihoods will be improved by efforts to mitigate urban heat island and the outdoor environment is protected to ensure a greater quality of life.

Older people are able to keep their bodies and minds dextrous through physical activity and enriched digital skills.

Alignment with Other Strategies

Ageing in Place in Mernda North builds upon the principles already laid out by the Positive Ageing Strategy 2016-2025. Both plans are heavily underpinned by the international standard for designing age-friendly cities, defined by the WHO Age Friendly Cities Framework.

Ageing in Place in Mernda North is horizontally aligned with the current municipal strategic plan:

Whittlesea a Place for All 2040 (WAPFA) and other strategic plans focused on equity and the prevention of violence. However, the Positive Ageing Strategy was written premature to the implementation of WAPFA and presents a notable deficit in the goal of fulfilling a sustainable environment. In order to support successful ageing in place in Mernda North, climate change and its associated effects must be addressed in order to ensure the fulfilment of a liveable environment.

WHO Age Friendly Cities Framework

Ageing well in Victoria 20222026

Friendly Victoria Declaration

Who Measuring The Age-Friendliness Of Cities: A Guide To Using Core Indicators

Counts Declaration

Ageing in Place in Mernda North

Lifelong Strategy Plan

Whittlesea 2020-2040

Community Engagement Strategy

It is essential that whilst this plan defines what constitutes an ‘older person’ as 55 and older, older people are not a heterogenous group. There is diversity in background, interests and needs. For example, within Mernda North, 61.9% of people in the 55–64 age group are still participating in the labour force with considerable autonomy. The needs and expectations of this age group may differ significantly from those over 85 years old, and who are starting to require greater assistance (60.1% need assistance).

With respect to the diverse abilities of older adults within Mernda North, using a multitude of engagement methods can increase the opportunities for more people to participate in the consultation stage. It is essential to utilise the full spectrum of online and face-to-face engagement tools to maximise the reach of the community engagement process to ensure that every voice is accommodated. Furthermore, the multiculturalism of Mernda North will be embraced by ensuring that community engagement sessions will be delivered in various languages.

METHOD Description

Focus Groups

Interviews

Online Survey

Engage Whittlesea Portal

Pop Up Events

Peer Facilitator

Mail Surveys

Council uses the universally acclaimed International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) framework to engage, as outlined in the Community Engagement Policy. The existing Positive Ageing Strategy utilised surveys, focus groups and conversations in the community engagement phase, which identified the core concerns for ageing within the municipality. Loneliness, isolation, health issues, loss of autonomy and mobility issues were at the forefront of older people’s concerns.

Residents will be informed via:

• Online notices

• Emails

• Newspaper advertising

• Flyers

Precedents

• Notices at community venues Council has previously engaged Chatterbox Projects for Whittlesea 2040. They specialise in tactile pop up events to engage the community.

A small to medium group of people designed to permit discussion about a set topic.

Participants are interviewed by a facilitator based on semistructured interviews.

An electronic link is emailed to participants which can be completed in a short timeframe.

Community members can give feedback on strategic plans via the Engage Whittlesea Portal.

Strategically located in hotspots such as shopping and community centres, using tactile methods such as sticky notes and whiteboards for free-flowing discussion.

Uses a trained facilitator within the age bracket and community to lead discussion with the group.

Willing participants can be mailed a survey to complete. This method can be useful to reach the people without internet or technological assess.

Have your say @ https://engage.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/shapewhittlesea

The City of Maroondah used peer facilitators, named as ‘Age Friendly Champions’ as a part of their ageing strategy and found that older people felt more comfortable voicing their concerns (City of Maroondah, 2015).

Goal 1: Health and Support

The onset of declining physical health is inevitable as we age. Within Mernda North, people over the age of 55 are overwhelmingly overrepresented in chronic health conditions, except asthma and lung diseases (ABS, 2021). The COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (Australian Government, 2020) served as a harrowing reality check into the chronic underfunding, understaffing and malpractice within the aged care sector. It has been estimated that 65,000 workers are leaving the industry per year due to poor working conditions, overworking and low pay throughout the industry (CEDA, 2022).

Loneliness and social isolation are one of the biggest concerns consistently raised by older adults, as noted by Council’s Positive Ageing Strategy 2016-2025 (CoW, 2016) and universally recognised throughout the literature (ShiovitzEzra et al., 2018). Loneliness has been directly correlated with declining physical health, mental illness and poor nutrition (Crewdson, 2016). Physical limitations typically constrain older people with the highest risk of loneliness, live alone, are widowed, financially unstable and experience deficits of regular social interaction with family and friends (Savikko et al. 2005). It is also important to acknowledge that there is a degree of ‘self-stigmatisation’ within the older adult population that manifests in a hesitancy to discuss mental health issues, as opposed to physical ailments, which may result in an underreporting of cases (Tzouvara et al., 2017; Thomas and Shute, 2006).

ACTION

Continue to advocate for pathways into the Aged Care industry through the Victorian Government Free Tafe Initiative.

Continue to provide support via the Commonwealth Home Support Program for those who require in-home support to maximise time spent living at home independently. 1.1 1.2 1.3

Establish an elder outreach psychological service to help older adults experiencing mental ailments such as social isolation and loneliness.

Goal 2: Valued and Engaged

Ageism is defined as the negative stereotyping and discrimination of people based on their age (Burnes et al., 2019). According to the Australian Human Rights Commission (2014), 35% of Australians aged 55-64 have experienced ageism. The ‘EveryAGE Counts’ advocacy organisation reports that the most common forms of ageism occur through discriminatory hiring practices, prejudicial attitudes and undermining of elderly voices and opinions (2022). The proliferation of subconscious and conscious ageist attitudes greatly contributes to the decline of health and mental well-being in older adults (Shiovitz-Ezra et al., 2018; Burnes et al., 2019). Social isolation is further compounded by the inability to speak the local language, which severely diminishes people’s ability to participate in civic matters and have a voice within the community (Hossen, 2012). In Mernda North, older people comprise 54.1% of those who can speak little to no English, putting them at risk for alienation within the community. It is important to continue engaging with older people from all walks of life, culture and ability.

ACTION

2.1

Volunteering in the community

Older people participating in volunteering activities has been proven to hold significant mental and physical benefits. According to Onyx and Warburton (2003), volunteering produces opportunities for greater social interaction outside of the family in addition to facilitating for routine and a more active lifestyle.

2.4

Initiate opportunities for intergenerational connection outside family and friend circles through the means of community events to encourage interaction throughout the community.

Create volunteering opportunities within the community through local events, partners and businesses.

Continue to uphold the declaration to EveryAGE Counts by hosting forums and campaigns at local venues and schools to educate the community about ageism.

Goal 3: Safety

As stated in the WHO Guide to Using Core Indicators (2015), when older people feel safe within their environments, they can continue enriching their experience within the community. The concept of feeling safe comprises several elements, including but not limited to: walkability, neighbourhood design, accessibility and within the home (WHO, 2015). According to Dow et al. (2020), elder abuse is often stigmatised due to the fact that it is often perpetrated by the individual’s family members. Therefore it is important to destigmatise the feelings of shame felt by older individuals and make help readily available when needed.

ACTION

Continue to raise awareness of elder abuse by strengthening the actions raised within the City of Whittlesea Family Violence Strategy. 3.1 3.2 3.3

Establish an accessible app to report inaccessible areas and identify safety gaps within the neighbourhood.

Advocate for footpath, public space and public transport upgrades within Mernda North in unsafe and inaccessible areas.

Goal 4: Breathe Green

As we witness the devastating consequences of climate change unfolding, with soaring global temperatures, intensifying frequencies of natural disasters and threats to biodiversity, climate resilience should be a priority when creating age-friendly cities (Butler, 2018). The urban heat island effect and heat stress have been directly correlated as a fatal risk to elderly people (Herrmann & Sauerborn, 2018; Varquez et al., 2020), being cited as a ‘silent killer’ that has claimed more lives than any other natural disaster (Climate Council Australia, 2016). Collective efforts through using non-heat absorbent building materials and green infrastructure and intensifying tree canopy can significantly impact on urban heat (Shahmohamadi et al., 2010). Cultivating a sustainable environment has also been correlated with reducing physical and mental health conditions in older adults (Sugiyama and Thompson, 2007).

ACTION

Encourage and inform residents of sustainable solutions to retrofit homes through Solar Victoria and Energy Victoria to improve thermal comfort and extreme weather events as outlined in the Climate Ready Whittlesea Plan.

Support residents subject to extreme weather events to stay safe in these circumstances. 4.1 4.2 4.3

Continue to commit to the Greening Whittlesea City Forest Strategy 2020-2040 by planting more trees to combat heat stress.

Goal 5: Active Mind, Active Body

Maintaining healthy cognitive and physical function is highly beneficial in old age to prevent the onset of dementia, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, diabetes, obesity and depression (Livingston et al., 2020; Sugiyama & Thompson, 2007). Access to social exercise groups is also a productive way to increase opportunities for social interaction. The Senior’s Playground, a type of public exercise infrastructure widely used in Asia, has been slowly introduced in Australia, with notable benefits in improving mobility and encouraging socialisation (Volkanovski & Marshall, 2015).

ACTION

Digital Literacy

In the wake of our digital age, the risk of social isolation has been further exacerbated by digital illiteracy, especially following the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic (Xie et al., 2020). It is, therefore important to continue supporting those not confident in accessing digital technologies to reduce alienation.

Provide access to free digital literacy programs for older adults, which can be received in person or online.

Encourage usage of health and wellness programs and facilities to maintain regular physical activity into older age. Discounted/free access to health and wellness programs

Create an easily accessible online portal accessible through the City of Whittlesea webpage, which outlines available activities, and support services for older people.

Implement Senior playgrounds in parks and open spaces.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Monitoring indicators

The development of indicators to measure progress has been developed by referencing the WHO Guide to Using Core Indicators (2015) and the literature from Lowe et al. (2015, p. 137). It is important to note that due to the nature of this strategy, subjective indicators may be more effective than objective indicators to monitor progress.

Outcomes Indicators

Physical and Mental Health

Administrative data, reported statistics, intake numbers, self reporting

Safety at Home Surveys, data collected by law enforcement

Neighbourhood Safety

Community Involvement

Age-related Care

Sustainability

Field surveys, surveys from residents

Aggregating volunteer data, membership statistics, surveys

Comparing the availability of services against the need for services, audits

Administrative data, satisfaction surveys

ROLE OF COUNCIL

Advocate: Council will advocate to higher government authorities to deliver funding for services.

Facilitate: Council will work with the community to deliver desired services.

Provide: Council will provide services for the community.

STAKEHOLDERS

Government

Whittlesea City Council (WCC)

Jobs Victoria (JV)

Victorian State Government (VSG) DEWLP

Emergency Services (ES)

Educational TAFE

University for the Third Age (U3A) Registered Training Organisations (RTO)

Community/Private Neighbourhood Houses (NH) Advocacy groups (AG) Community groups (CG)

Volunteering Organisations (VO) Aged Care Providers (ACP)

Long: 4-5 years

Ongoing:

References

Burnes, D., Sheppard, C., Henderson, C. R., Wassel, M., Cope, R., Barber, C., & Pillemer, K. (2019). Interventions to Reduce Ageism Against Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. American Journal of Public Health, 109(8), e1–e9. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2019.305123

Butler, C. D. (2018). Climate Change, Health and Existential Risks to Civilization: A Comprehensive Review (1989–2013). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(10), 2266. https:// doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15102266

Crewdson, J. A. (2016). The effect of loneliness in the elderly population: a review. Healthy aging and clinical care in the elderly, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.4137/HACCE.S35890

Dow, B., Gahan, L., Gaffy, E., Joosten, M., Vrantsidis, F., & Jarred, M. (2020). Barriers to Disclosing Elder Abuse and Taking Action in Australia. Journal of Family Violence, 35(8), 853–861. https://doi.org/10.1007/ s10896-019-00084-w

Herrmann, A., & Sauerborn, R. (2018). General Practitioners’ Perceptions of Heat Health Impacts on the Elderly in the Face of Climate Change—A Qualitative Study in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(5), Article 5. https://doi.org/10.3390/ ijerph15050843

Hossen, A. (2012). Social Isolation and Loneliness among Elderly Immigrants: The Case of South Asian Elderly Living in Canada. Journal of International Social Issues, 1 (1), 1-10. https://www.winona.edu/socialwork/ media/hossen_2012.pdf

Kirkwood, T. B. L. (2017). Why and how are we living longer? Experimental Physiology, 102(9), 1067–1074. https://doi.org/10.1113/EP086205

Livingston, G., Huntley, J., Sommerlad, A., Ames, D., Ballard, C., Banerjee, S., Brayne, C., Burns, A., CohenMansfield, J., Cooper, C., Costafreda, S. G., Dias, A., Fox, N., Gitlin, L. N., Howard, R., Kales, H. C., Kivimäki, M., Larson, E. B., Ogunniyi, A., … Mukadam, N. (2020). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission. The Lancet, 396(10248), 413–446. https://doi.org/10.1016/ S0140-6736(20)30367-6

Lowe, M., Whitzman, C., Badland, H., Davern, M., Aye, L., Hes, D., Butterworth, I., & Giles-Corti, B. (2015). Planning Healthy, Liveable and Sustainable Cities: How Can Indicators Inform Policy? Urban Policy and Research, 33(2), 131–144. https://doi.org/10.1080/08111146.2014.1002606

Lowen, T., Davern, M. T., Mavoa, S., & Brasher, K. (2015). Age-friendly cities and communities: Access to services for older people. Australian Planner, 52(4), 255–265. https://doi.org/10.1080/07293682.2015.1 047874

Mavoa, S., Davern, M., Breed, M., & Hahs, A. (2019). Higher levels of greenness and biodiversity associate with greater subjective wellbeing in adults living in Melbourne, Australia. Health & Place, 57, 321–329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.05.006

Onyx, J., & Warburton, J. (2003). Volunteering and health among older people: A review. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 22(2), 65–69. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-6612.2003.tb00468.x Pérez-delHoyo, R., García-Mayor, C., Mora-Mora, H., Gilart-Iglesias, V., & Andújar-Montoya, M. D. (2016). Making smart and accessible cities: An urban model based on the design of intelligent environments. 2016 5th International Conference on Smart Cities and Green ICT Systems (SMARTGREENS), 1–8. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301622059_Making_Smart_and_Accessible_Cities_-_An_ Urban_Model_based_on_the_Design_of_Intelligent_Environments

Savikko, N., Routasalo, P., Tilvis, R. S., Strandberg, T. E., & Pitkälä, K. H. (2005). Predictors and subjective causes of loneliness in an aged population. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 41(3), 223–233. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.archger.2005.03.002

Shahmohamadi, P. Che-Ani, A. I., Ramly, A., Maulud, K. N. A. & Mohd-Nor, M., F., I. (2010). Reducing heat island effects: a systematic review to achieve energy consumption balance. International Journal of Physical Sciences, 5(6), 626-636. https://academicjournals.org/journal/IJPS/article-full-text-pdf/ DBB8AC426195

Shiovitz-Ezra, S., Shemesh, J., & McDonnell/Naughton, M. (2018). Pathways from Ageism to Loneliness. In L. Ayalon & C. Tesch-Römer (Eds.), Contemporary Perspectives on Ageism (pp. 131–147). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73820-8_9

Sugiyama, T., & Thompson, C. W. (2007). Outdoor Environments, Activity and the Well-Being of Older People: Conceptualising Environmental Support. Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space, 39(8), 1943–1960. https://doi.org/10.1068/a38226

Thomas, K., & Shute, R. (2006). The old and mentally ill in Australia: Doubly stigmatised. Australian Psychologist, 41(3), 186–192. https://doi.org/10.1080/00050060600726312

Tzouvara, V., Papadopoulos, C., & Randhawa, G. (2018). Self-Stigma Experiences Among Older Adults with Mental Health Problems Residing in Long-Term Care Facilities: A Qualitative Study. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 39(5), 403–410. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2017.1383540

Varquez, A. C. G., Darmanto, N. S., Honda, Y., Ihara, T., & Kanda, M. (2020). Future increase in elderly heatrelated mortality of a rapidly growing Asian megacity. Scientific Reports, 10(1), Article 1. https://doi. org/10.1038/s41598-020-66288-z

Volkanovski, J. & Marshall, N. (2015, February). Seniors playgrounds may never get old. State of Australian Cities Conference [Conference]. Gold Coast.

Wiles, J. L., Leibing, A., Guberman, N., Reeve, J., & Allen, R. E. S. (2012). The Meaning of “Aging in Place” to Older People. The Gerontologist, 52(3), 357–366. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnr098

Xie, B., Charness, N., Fingerman, K., Kaye, J., Kim, M. T., & Khurshid, A. (2020). When Going Digital Becomes a Necessity: Ensuring Older Adults’ Needs for Information, Services, and Social Inclusion During COVID-19. Journal of Aging & Social Policy, 32(4–5), 460–470. https://doi.org/10.1080/08959420.2020 .1771237

Grey Literature

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Community Profile: Mernda North 2021. https://abs.gov.au/census/findcensus-data/community-profiles/2021/209041531

Australian Government. (2020). Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Aged care and COVID-19: a special report. https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-10/agedcare-and-covid-19-a-special-report.pdf

Australian Human Rights Commission. (2014). Face the facts: older Australians. https://humanrights.gov.au/ourwork/education/face-facts-older-australians#fn7

City of Whittlesea. (2013). Whittlesea Lifelong learning strategy and action plan 2013-2016. https://www. whittlesea.vic.gov.au/about-us/news-publications/plans-strategies-and-policies/lifelong-learningstrategy-and-action-plan/

City of Whittlesea. (2016). Positive Ageing Strategy 2016-2025. https://www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/ media/3491/positive-ageing-strategy-201625.pdf

City of Whittlesea. (2017). Climate Ready Whittlesea. https://www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/media/3491/positiveageing-strategy-201625.pdf

City of Whittlesea. (2020). Whittlesea A Place for All 2040. https://www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/whittlesea2040

City of Whittlesea. (2020). Greening Greater Whittlesea 2020-2040. https://www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/aboutus/news-publications/plans-strategies-and-policies/greening-whittlesea-city-forest-strategy-20202040/#:~:text=In%20April%202021%2C%20Council%20adopted,liveable%20neighbourhoods%20 and%20connected%20communities.

City of Whittlesea. (2021). A Voice for all- community engagement policy 2021. https://www.whittlesea.vic.gov. au/about-us/news-publications/plans-strategies-and-policies/a-voice-for-all-community-engagementpolicy-2021/

Climate Council Australia. (2016). The silent killer: climate change and the health impacts of extreme heat. https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/uploads/b6cd8665c633434e8d02910eee3ca87c.pdf

Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA). (2022). Duty of care: aged care sector in crisis. https://www.ceda.com.au/getmedia/a7bc2f9e-4999-4c6b-9795-0eff89f0b94b/Duty-of-Care-AgedCare-Sector-in-Crisis.pdf

EveryAGE Counts. (2021). About the EveryAGE Counts Campaign. https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront. net/benevolent/pages/383/attachments/original/1551153845/Backgrounder_-_EveryAGE_ Counts___03102018.pdf?1551153845

Forecast.id. (2022). Mernda Population and Age Structure. https://forecast.id.com.au/whittlesea/populationage-structure?WebID=130

Knaus, C. (2022, September 24). Grim milestone as Australia’s aged care homes mark 4,000 Covid deaths.

The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/sep/24/grim-milestone-asaustralias-aged-care-homes-mark-4000-covid-deaths

Victorian State Government. (2022). Ageing well in Victoria https://content.vic.gov.au/sites/default/ files/2022-06/Ageing%20well%20in%20Victoria.pdf

Victorian State Government. (2017). Active & healthy ageing Local government action guide October 2017 https://www.health.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/migrated/files/collections/policies-and-guidelines/a/ active-and-healthy-ageing-local-govt-action-guide---pdf.pdf

World Health Organisation. (n.d). The WHO age friendly cities framework. https://extranet.who.int/ agefriendlyworld/age-friendly-cities-framework/ World Health Organisation. (2020). Ageing. https://www.who.int/health-topics/ageing#tab=tab_1 World Health Organisation. (2018). The Global network for age friendly cities and communities. https:// extranet.who.int/agefriendlyworld/age-friendly-cities-framework/

World Health Organisation. (2015). Measuring the age friendliness of cities: a guide to using core indicators. http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/203830/9789241509695_eng.pdf?sequence=1