Muswellbrook Shire Council has recently engaged a consultant to undertake a number of community consultations about ageing in the Muswellbrook Shire.

These consultations have been held with several groups, with additional conversations to take place in November, and will help Council to develop its Ageing Strategy.

The strategy will focus on areas such as housing, transport, mobility and infrastructure, leisure and social networking, health and wellbeing, financial support and lifelong learning.

Cr Malcolm Ogg said that the Ageing Strategy would provide a plan for the growing number of persons aged 55 years and over residing in the Muswellbrook Shire Local Government Area.

“The aim of the strategy is to maximise the social, cultural and economic benefits that older people offer local communities, as well as support community life so that both new and current residents stay in the Shire after retirement,” he said.

The survey is currently open and can be found online, closing on Thursday, 31 October 2013. It does not seek any identifying information.

People of all ages are invited to participate in the survey, with the results contributing to the Council’s Operational and Delivery Plans.