Improved accessibility, activities to support physical and mental health and opportunities to be involved in the design of built environments are just some of the ways that Hornsby Shire Council will work to ensure its residents can experience healthy ageing. These initiatives and more are outlined in ‘Healthy Ageing Hornsby 2022-2026’, Council’s Healthy Ageing Strategy, adopted at last night’s Council meeting.
“As our population ages, having a local strategy to address ageing and to support older residents is a priority for us,” said Hornsby Shire Mayor Philip Ruddock.
“It is particularly relevant to the Hornsby community as 24.1 per cent of our Shire’s population is over 60 – a higher percentage than either the NSW or Australian average. We have therefore been proactive in developing a strategy to support this important group. I thank Councillor McIntosh for instigating important initiative through her original motion.”
“Working hand in hand with the community, our new Healthy Ageing Strategy provides a framework for us to build a more inclusive and positive Shire, enabling seniors to participate in all aspects of life.”
Working in tandem with the Disability Inclusion Action Plan, the Healthy Ageing Strategy details initiatives and programs Council will deliver to improve quality of life for seniors in four key areas: living in age-friendly environments; participating in inclusive communities; staying safe, active, and healthy; and being resilient and informed.
In preparing ‘Healthy Ageing Hornsby 2022-202’, Council engaged extensively with the community through public forums, a pop-up event, surveys and by establishing an advisory panel of local people, service providers, community groups and health professionals. It was adopted following an exhibition period during which over 200 organisations were also invited to comment.
“In delivering this strategy we will take a ‘whole of Council’ approach so that our mainstream services are more accessible to older people,” continued Mayor Ruddock.
“It is designed to be a living document and we will continue to seek feedback from our community members and advisory groups to ensure it remains effective and relevant.”
Council last night also appointed seven volunteer community members to its new Hornsby Art & Cultural Advisory Group. The group was formed to provide a formal mechanism for Council to consult with key stakeholders, seek specialist advice and enable community members to participate in arts and cultural planning through the development of an Arts and Cultural Plan. Council also resolved to amend the committee’s Terms of Reference to include an additional three members to represent Aboriginal arts, accessible arts and multi-cultural arts and will call for expressions of interest.
Also at last night’s meeting Council:
- Received a Mayoral Minute regarding the passing of John Crawford
- Received a Mayoral Minute regarding the contribution of Dr Anne Salt to the advancing Reconciliation in Hornsby Shire
- Endorsed the exhibition of the Housekeeping Amendments to the Community Engagement Plan
- Endorsed the reclassification of public land at Gloria Close, Mount Colah as ‘Operational Land’
- Endorsed arrangements for the Mark Taylor Oval indoor cricket centre lease
- Allocated funding to community groups through its Community Event Grants program
- Endorsed progression of the Byles Creek Planning Proposal for submission to the Department of Planning and Environment for a Gateway Determination
- Determined to write to the Department of Planning and Environment to nominate planning reforms concerning agritourism.
- Endorsed a motion from Councillor Heyde around the important role Council plays in creating new circular economy markets for recycled content materials and products and determined to hold an Informal Councillor briefing to further examine how it might address its role in buying recycled content products.
The full agenda of the meeting, along with details of this item, can be found at hornsby.nsw.gov.au. The video recording of the meeting will be available from Thursday afternoon.
Image Hornsby Shire Mayor Philip Ruddock AO and a local resident go for a stroll on the new accessible path at Brooklyn
