The McGowan Government today launched the 'Draft Position Statement: Residential Aged Care' aimed at cutting red tape and fast-tracking planning for aged care facilities across Western Australia.
The number of older Australians will more than double over the next 40 years, so a key McGowan Government election commitment was to slash red tape and fast-track the delivery of aged care developments.
The draft plan will guide local governments in how to address aged care housing and residential aged care needs by providing a consistent strategic planning approach.
For the first time, standard land use definitions are proposed for residential aged care facilities and retirement villages. These will be used in local planning strategies and schemes to streamline delivery of aged-care needs, including flexible transitioning from independent living to residential aged care.
Since coming to office the McGowan Government has facilitated 30 aged care development opportunities through land transfers, rezonings, development approvals and State Government land projects.
Together, these projects are expected to create at least another 1,500 aged care beds over the coming years.
The draft position statement was developed in consultation with the McGowan Government's cross-agency Aged Care Availability Working Group, with representatives from the departments of Health; Planning, Lands and Heritage; Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries; and Communities, chaired by Kalamunda MLA Matthew Hughes.
It also responds to the McGowan Government's Making Aged Care More Available election commitment. It is open for public comment until January 19, 2020 and can be viewed at https://consultation.dplh.wa.gov.au
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
"The McGowan Government is committed to ensuring Western Australia can appropriately support its growing, ageing population.
"Without adequate planning and the provision of more aged care accommodation in the community, there will be increased pressure on the WA health system - including emergency department attendances and demand for transitional care beds.
"This policy is essential to ensure that we have a consistent, State-wide approach that allows people to age gracefully in appropriate care, which will in turn benefit their health, and provide fitting care and support for our ageing residents and their families."
As stated by Seniors and Ageing Minister Mick Murray:
"We want older Western Australians and their families to have as much choice as possible when it comes to selecting an aged care facility.
"By increasing the appetite for investment in aged care developments we hope to see more facilities in more parts of the State, allowing people to stay close to family, friends and their home communities."
As stated by Planning Minister Rita Saffioti:
"The McGowan Government is committed to fast-tracking the planning process for the provision of aged care facilities to stimulate investment in this critical sector.
"The number of older Australians will more than double in the next 40 years and in Western Australia alone, we are expecting a huge 86 per cent increase in people aged over 85 by 2031.
"Considered planning around aged care needs will help reduce the long-term strain on housing, health care and other support services.
"This draft position statement proposes some simple changes such as standardising terms in local planning schemes that will help provide consistent long-term planning to cater for our ageing population.
"I encourage everyone to view the draft position statement and provide comment."
