Released 01/05/2019 - Joint media release
The ACT Government has invested $1.65 million in six more Canberra suburbs as part of a vision to improve footpath accessibility and connectivity across the Territory.
The new suburbs to receive funding for these upgrades are Narrabundah, Isabella Plains, Stirling, Campbell, Aranda and Holt.
This funding aligns with the Government’s commitment to ensure Canberra remains an age friendly city that is accessible and inclusive of all people at all stages of their lives.
These upgrades include pram ramps for parents and older Canberrans using mobility scooters, completions for connective paths to green space and shopping centres and pedestrian refuge areas.
“The ACT Government is committed to supporting and enabling a healthy community environment that is accessible and inclusive of people at all stages of their lives, in particular our older residents,” Minister Steel said.
“Putting the focus on infrastructure that encourages physical activity and improves the wellbeing of our older population also benefits the community as a whole. These improvements will encourage everyone to stay healthy and active.”
The Age Friendly Suburbs Program is an ACT Government commitment to improve path network infrastructure and connectivity in suburbs that include a large proportion of residents aged over 55 years and are also home to aged care and retirement facilities.
The Program has been underway since the 2015-16 financial year and is funded until 2021, with six suburbs having received upgrades so far: Weston, Ainslie, Monash, Kaleen, Page and Hughes.
“We have more senior Canberrans now than at any other time in our history and our seniors are more engaged than those in other cities. In Canberra our seniors are more likely to volunteer, stay employed and connected, socialise and remain active,” Minister Ramsay said.
“Feedback from the Age Friendly City Survey in 2018 told us that safe walkways were important to support the active participation of senior Canberrans and that is why the Age Friendly Suburbs Program and its associated improvements are so important.”
The community is invited to provide feedback on the proposed improvements for suburbs by visiting the following pop-up sessions:
Stirling
Monday 13 May 2019
9.30 – 11.30 am
Trenerry Square (near Cooleman Court), Weston
Isabella Plains
Tuesday 14 May 2019
9.30 – 11.30 am
Shops off Galloway Street
Narrabundah
Wednesday 15 May 2019
9.30 – 11.30 am
Shops on Iluka Street
Holt
Thursday 16 May 2019
9.30 – 11.30 am
Woolworths entrance Kippax Shopping Centre
Campbell
Friday 17 May 2019
9.30 – 11.30 am
Shops on Blamey Place
Aranda
The drop in for Aranda occurred during the Active Aranda community day last month, the community can still have their say using the contact information below.
For more information on the Age Friendly Suburbs program visit www.yoursay.act.gov.au or call Access Canberra on 13 22 81.
The Government expects consultation to be finalised by the end of June.
- Statement ends -
Chris Steel, MLA | Gordon Ramsay, MLA | Media Releases
Media Contacts
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Anton Gallacher |
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