Foreword

During the period of October to December 2015, the Shire of Esperance actively engaged the plus 55 community and stakeholders in the ‘Plus 55 Community Project’. The aim of the project was to identify how Esperance could be improved as an age-friendly community. Feedback was sought as to what was working well, as well as identifying where improvements could be made to make Esperance more age-friendly.

An age-friendly community is a whole of community culture that plans for and responds to the changing needs of its aging population, and promotes the ongoing inclusion and contribution of its aging population. (For more details refer page 6).

The project was funded by a grant received from the Department of Local Government and Communities with support from the Shire of Esperance and a number of community champions who supported the project and/or engagement activities. The Department funding required eight themes to be covered. These themes are Outdoor Spaces and Buildings; Transport; Housing; Social Participation; Respect and Inclusion; Civic Participation and Employment; Communication and Information; Community Support and Health Services.

Engagement took place via surveys from October to the first week in December 2015. In addition engagement workshops, presentations and interviews were held during the first and second weeks of November in conjunction with Senior’s Week. A reference group was developed to attain additional feedback and to review collated information as required. The plus 55 activities engaged a sample group of almost 4.3% from the plus 55 population in the Shire of Esperance town region. (For more details refer page 13). the following as a general overview: Involved/ Connected; Affordable; Accessible; Valued/ Respected as Diverse Individuals; Individual Factors; Safety and Security; and Informed/ Actively Engaged. (For more details refer page 14).

All themes were directly covered, however some themes (and or sub-categories) raised more comments or were noted as having a more identified need than others. A sample of comments include the importance of accessibility, in particular public or community transport; affordability which applied across a number of areas including housing and social participation; and various needs around the health system including mental health support and waiting time periods.

The Plus 55 Community Report, has been developed for the Shire of Esperance, however it is important to note it is also written and aimed at the whole of the Esperance community and stakeholders, as potential investors in the plus 55 population. Collectively, all stakeholders need to discuss, explore and consider the report outcomes to define what needs to happen next, plus the associated actions. To work together on this shared goal will make Esperance a better place for not just the diverse plus 55 community but potentially for the community as a whole.

To understand specifically what age-friendly meant to the Esperance community (in addition to the formal definition as noted above) the facilitator and the reference group acknowledged