The City of Greater Bendigo will continue to focus on more targeted and meaningful engagement with older residents through its Let's Talk community engagement website, events and activities but will discontinue its Positive Ageing Advisory Committee (PAAC).
City of Greater Bendigo Healthy Communities and Environment Acting Director Andie West said in 2024 the City reviewed several advisory committees including the PAAC. The review found that in recent years the City has increased the range of positive ageing initiatives it provides to the community which has resulted in an increase in participation and interest.
"All members of the community can now have their say on a range of engagement opportunities via the City's Let's Talk website. This platform has proven an effective alternative to traditional advisory groups to capture the voice of older adults on a range of Council policies, projects and plans," Ms West said.
"The review of the PAAC coupled with changes to the ways the City engages with community has led to the decision to discontinue the PAAC in its current form and will reinvest funds and resourcing so we have a greater reach and impact into the future.
"Since 2011, through the City's Positive Ageing Strategy, All Ages All Abilities Action Plan and Positive Ageing Action Plan, the City has worked to support older adults to lead healthy, happy and resilient lives that encourage connection and participation through initiatives, events and programs.
"Recent surveys on the Let's Talk website have shown that older adults will interact with the City using online channels and this approach will continue along with face-to-face forums to ensure resources are streamlined to deliver purposeful and impactful engagement in line with modern practices.
"In addition, a Positive Ageing Special Interest Group page called Ageing Well in Greater Bendigo has been established on Let's Talk to enable targeted engagement and allow participants to contribute via a flexible, cost-effective, and relevant platform.
"The aim of this group page is to develop a network of interested community members and provide the opportunity for the voices of older people, advocates and service providers to be heard to help guide the City's work with older people in the community.
"The page also provides opportunities for the City to invite those who have registered for the page to provide feedback on specific issues related to older adults.
"It is also proposed that an annual Ageing Well in Greater Bendigo Forum with an open invitation be held for older adults. This face-to-face forum would enable engagement on specific, focused topics of importance to them and Councillors could participate in the opportunity.
"In 2024 the City also hosted Be Well Be Connected Expos in Bendigo and Heathcote and this year in Elmore. The expos received extremely positive community and service provider feedback and have directly connected older adults with providers in their local communities.
"The expos have proven a fantastic way for older residents to link to services, provide feedback to the City on current projects and connect with others.
"The City would like to acknowledge and thank all past and current members for their service to the PACC over the past 15 years."
