Supporting the Active Ageing Advisory Committee
We've resourced and convened the Active Ageing Advisory Committee (AAAC) to meet every second month and provide strategic advice to Council.
Stage 2 community engagement
We've drafted an Ageing Well Policy to create a more age-friendly Yarra, where older people are supported to age well and their strengths and contributions are valued.
This is our commitment to help our community achieve good health in old age through meaningful social connections, a strong sense of purpose, and active participation in community life. Now is your chance to provide feedback on the draft Ageing Well Policy before the document is adopted next year.
Our approach is built on 4 priority areas:
Project background
In 2023, we invited the community to share their thoughts on the next Active and Healthy Ageing Strategy 2024–2030. Following the initial consultation, we chose not to renew the strategy for another six years, but instead we have created a policy, which will guide our future work to support older people to age well.
All feedback gathered during the 2023 consultation has been carefully reviewed and used to directly inform the creation of our draft Ageing Well Policy.
Our draft Ageing Well Policy
The draft Ageing Well Policy outlines 4 priority areas that Council will focus on to create a more age-friendly Yarra. These priority areas are based on your feedback during the first stage of this engagement. The priority areas include:
Council will continue to advocate for older residents and work with government, service providers and community partners to improve outcomes for older people in Yarra.
- Advocate for accessible, high-quality aged-care services.
- Seek better, affordable and accessible transport options.
- Promote age-friendly, accessible public, social and affordable housing.
- Support services that reflect the diverse needs of older residents.
- Strengthen access to supports for those at risk of social isolation, poverty or homelessness.
- Raise awareness of elder abuse, integrate the needs of older people into family-violence prevention, and improve community safety.
- Challenge ageism and promote respect for and inclusion of older people.
- Celebrate the contributions and achievements of older residents.
- Engage with older people to understand their experiences and improve services.
We want all older people in Yarra to live active, connected and healthy lives.
- Make leisure and aquatic facilities more age-friendly.
- Offer programs that support movement and active lifestyles for older people.
- Partner with sports clubs to include older people.
- Expand affordable activities that build social connection and mental wellbeing.
- Work with neighbourhood houses and other community organisations to strengthen inclusion.
- Support volunteering, learning and local job opportunities for older people.
- Develop targeted social connection programs for people unable to easily leave home.
- Improve access to information through clear, accessible and multilingual formats.
- Embed the needs of older residents in all Council services and programs.
We will create an age-friendly city with safe, accessible and welcoming streets, parks, buildings and housing.
- Provide more seating, shade and intergenerational play spaces.
- Expand accessible walking paths and outdoor fitness options.
- Improve accessibility of Council buildings using universal design.
- Include clear signage, lighting, accessible bathrooms and acoustics in refurbishments.
- Promote accessible Council venues for community use.
- Progressively upgrade footpaths, crossings and wayfinding for safer mobility.
- Improve parking access for older residents.
- Encourage accessible, adaptable housing through planning and partnerships.
- Support local downsizing and ageing in place.
Council will strengthen local supports and workforce capability to improve inclusion, reduce isolation and address service gaps.
- Work with local providers to improve access and coordination of aged care services.
- Support programs that reduce loneliness/social isolation and build digital inclusion and intergenerational connection.
- Train staff to provide accessible, inclusive customer service.
- Strengthen cultural competence across Council.
- Continue programs that deliver meals, community lunches and thermal comfort support.
- Advocate for and assist people in unsafe or insecure housing.
Read the draft Policy and have your say
Read the draft Policy and have your say before 9am on Monday 15 December 2025.
Stage 1 community engagement
About this project
Our Active and Healthy Ageing Strategy guides our work to enable older people to live well in Yarra. Currently, Council makes a significant investment in supporting older people through:
- senior citizens centres
- community transport
- meal delivery
- home and community care services
- social activities
- recreation facility provision and programs
- support for clubs and organisations
The Strategy was guided by our commitment made in 2016 to make Yarra an Age-Friendly City as part of the Municipal Association of Victoria’s Age-Friendly Victoria Declaration. Age-Friendly Cities are designed to foster opportunities for older people to enjoy social and economic participation, good health and a sense of belonging and contributing.
What we asked during Stage 1
The most recent Active and Healthy Ageing Strategy 2018-24 expired in 2024. To help draft our Active and Healthy Ageing Well Strategy we held a broad community consultation to help better understand the community’s expectation of Council’s responsibilities and our role within this space. Through this, we asked the community to help us:
We have also heard that there is a need for Council to simplify its approach to supporting different segments of the community. In response to this, we’ll be shifting away from complex multi-year strategies as we have done in the past. Instead, we have used your feedback to draft a new Ageing Well Policy that simplifies and clarifies our strategic direction in this space. This policy intends to clearly outline:
Key outcomes of the Active and Healthy Strategy 2018-2024 include:
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Upgrading our parks and buildings
Find out more about the Djerring Centre upgradeWe've implemented new footpath lighting and appropriate seating in the Darling Gardens to create an age-friendly environment.
We also refurbished and renamed the Djerring Centre.
Making our streets safer
We've constructed level pedestrian crossings on six nominated streets as part of the Local Area Place Making Scheme.
Pedestrian walk detectors known as Puffins have been implemented at certain locations throughout Yarra. Puffins detect any pedestrian present on the road and extend the walk time to accommodate the pedestrians needs. This results in greater responsiveness to the needs of individuals and improves safety.
Helping people make new friends
We've continued to provide support to older persons groups, mostly with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, to meet regularly in venues across Yarra through Participation Grants.
Introducing new programs
Learn more on Companion Animal Support ProgramWe've developed and introduced client driven initiatives as part of a review of the Willowview Centre’s programs. Successful activities included a bio-diversity program, a computer literacy program, and the establishment of a LGBTIQA+ Social group.
We also recommenced of the Companion Animal Support Program including the recruitment and training of volunteers.
Supporting the University of the Third Age
We've continued to support of the University of the Third Age (U3A). The U3A have hosted several community forums as part of Seniors Week that drew upon local academics, Council staff and innovators to discuss innovative ways people can age well.
Secured funding for community organisations
Learn more about Launch HousingWe granted $50,000 via Council’s Annual Grants program to Launch Housing in 2019 for the Community Housing Tenants Support Program.
We helped secure additional external funding for the:
- Dementia Alliance Project ($10,000)
- Support for Carers Program ($80,000)
- Seniors Participation Project ($75,000 across two years)
Supporting carers
Learn more about the programWe've created our Walks for Carers program, an accessible stroll followed by complimentary morning tea at the Convent Bakery in Abbotsford to foster community and connection amongst carers in Yarra.
Have your say and speak to us in person
Now is your chance to provide feedback on the priority areas and the draft Ageing Well Policy before the document is adopted next year in 2026. Please provide your feedback before the consultation closes at 9am on Monday 15 December 2025.
You can also talk to us at one of our pop-up events where you can ask questions and provide your feedback in person.-
Bargoonga Nganjin, North Fitzroy Library
St Georges Road, Fitzroy North.
Tuesday 25 November 20025 - 10am to 11.30am.
This building is accessible. -
Holden Street Neighbourhood House
128 Holden Street, Fitzroy North.
Thursday 4 December 2025 - 11am to 12.30 midday.
This building is accessible. -
Belgium Avenue Neighbourhood House
9 Belgium Avenue, Richmond - Caravan lunch area
Friday 12 December - 11am to 12.30pm.
This location is accessible
Timeline
Timeline
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Timeline item 1 - complete
Stage one engagement: Gathering community ideas
Monday 23 October to Monday 4 December 2023
We sought ideas from the community to make Yarra age-friendly and support our older residents.
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Timeline item 2 - complete
Reviewing feedback
2024
We collated and analysed your feedback to understand your priorities.
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Timeline item 3 - complete
Development of the draft Ageing Well Policy
2024 to 2025
We used your feedback and the advice of key stakeholders, to draft an Ageing Well Policy
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Timeline item 4 - active
Stage two engagement: Check-in on the draft Ageing Well Policy
November to December 2025
We will show you the new draft Ageing Well Policy and ask for your feedback. This will be your last chance to tell us what you think before the Policy is considered for adoption by Council.
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Timeline item 5 - incomplete
Adoption of the Ageing Well Policy
Early 2026
The final Ageing Well Policy will be considered for adoption by Council.
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Speak to us in person
Join us at one of our pop-up events, where you can speak to us in person, find out more and give us your feedback.
Interpreter service
This page can be translated using the menu on the top of the screen if you are using a desktop. If you are using a mobile or tablet, press the three lines on the top right corner of the page.
If you want to find out more in your own language, please call our interpreter service on 9280 1940.
Learn about existing services
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Contact us
Phone: +61 3 9205 5555
Email: [email protected]
National Relay Service 133 677
(ask for 03 9205 5555)
