The 2016 Census revealed that 42 per cent (5875) of Benalla residents are 55 or over and this percentage is expected to rise.
The Age Friendly Benalla Reference Group began in 2017 as a three-way partnership project between the council, Cooinda Aged Care Service and the Central Hume Primary Care Partnership.
Mayor Scott Upston said actively focusing on the services and infrastructure required to support an ageing population was important.
‘‘Quality of life, health and wellbeing, removing barriers to social participation and assisting more people to age in place is important and the outcomes of this Age Friendly Strategy is something we will all be affected by at some point,’’ Cr Upston said.
‘‘I encourage everyone to provide input into this strategy and to really think about what they, their friends and family will need to be able to age as healthily and as happily as possible.’’
Postcards asking questions for people to fill out will be distributed.
Or you can attend a Listening Hub, which will be in the main street of Benalla and in some rural localities.
They will be staffed by members of the Age Friendly Benalla Reference Group, so people can directly provide their input directly.
●You can also provide your input by completing the survey questions at www.benalla.vic.gov.au/AgeFriendlySurvey
Alternatively you can answer the questions on this page and return them to council in the mail at PO Box 227.