East Gippsland Shire Council

“Age-friendly Orbost – An Economic Development Perspective on a Rural,

Age-friendly Direction!”

Conference Presentation30th October 2014

Presenters: Fiona Weigall, Manager Strategic Planning

Beth Sheffield, Community Planning and Engagement Officer

Presentation content..

About Orbost..

Why Orbost?

Why an economic development perspective?

What will an Age Friendly Orbost look like?

What has happened so far?

What is planned for the future?

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Where is Orbost?

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A rural town in East Gippsland, 375 kilometres east of Melbourne where the Princes Highway crosses the Snowy River. It is 16km from Marlo on the coast.

About Orbost…•A service centre for the primary industries of beef, dairy cattle, and timber. Tourism (more recently) as close to several national parks.

•Population of 2,391, relatively stable numbers over past decade.

•Notable ageing population – faster than the general region.

•Significant number and variety of community facilities for a small town.

•An increase in proportion of lower income residents and decline in higher income residents over past decade.

•Industrial diversity increased over decade despite past dependence on timber industry.

•Affordable housing stock with Marlo having higher cost housing.

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Orbost…

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Why Orbost?

Proximity to Marlo – encouraged “sea-change” migration Local natural amenity including national parks and bushland - attracting

“tree-change” migration. Significant economic impact from decline in timber industry and amalgamation of

farming properties …..all resulted in demographic shift. Local facilities and social activities – a great place to live!

• Ongoing changes to local economy - discussions with Orbost Economic Development Group and the broader community regarding plans for Orbost’s economic future

• Trends in growth in number of older residents identified.• Existing strong health service and community infrastructure• Funding secured for Advancing Orbost 2020 study (economic planning project)

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Advancing Orbost 2020

Developed a vision for transitioning the local economy from one dominated by forestry and farming to a diverse economy strengthened by new industries.

Study process undertaken:

• Extensive community consultation – 25 community groups and in excess of 500 people consulted

• Literature and broader review / comparisons – “Learning from other towns”

• Development of Scoping Paper and broad report

• Development of business cases for at least 3 key identified projects

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Advancing Orbost 2020

Three identified projects were:1. Business Development and Financing

2. Local Seed Laboratory

3. Age Friendly Town

The Age Friendly Project Scoping Paper objectives were to:Understand the economic (and social) benefits of increased older persons moving to Orbost

Explore case studies where other towns have attracted older persons with an economic benefit

Understand what might help to attract and retain this group

Identify interventions in Orbost to attract and retain this group

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Aged Friendly Study Findings…

Orbost identified as having a potential competitive advantage in the “age friendly” space

– access to health services

– environmental amenity

– accessible topography

– affordable housing

– active community / numerous and varied social activities

– proximity to Marlo (ocean beach)

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The Economics of Ageing…General overview of the economics of Australia’s ageing population…80% of employment is “population servicing” ie. promoting population growth can be an economic growth strategy in rural Victoria.

Rapidly ageing population – has been the key driver of growth in health and social services sector in Victoria between 2005 & 2010

Health and social services sector – labour intensive with notable proportion requiring low to medium skills.

Sources: ABS Household Expenditure Survey (2009-10), National Rural Health Alliance Inc (Australia’s Heath System Needs Rebalancing (2011), Australian Institute of Health Welfare (2010). Cited in Geografia Report to EGSC 2014

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What will an age-friendly Orbost

look like?NOTE: Economic benefits in relation to this project, far outweighed benefits

of other identified projects.

Every 50 new older residents would generate:•An additional 6.8 jobs (primarily in personal services, health and retail)•$932,000 of additional GRP

Other potential benefits would include:•Additional volunteers and carers•Improved infrastructure•Training / mentoring opportunities•Additional business opportunities eg. recreation and leisure, food services, home and garden maintenance services etc.

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Potential risks…

Economic…

Increased demand on services eg. meals on wheels, community facilities including healthcare may deminish these services.

Assumption that demand will create provision – this is not immediate, reliant on funding – may lose market appeal if services not immediately able to meet demand (Lag factor)

Social …

Change character of town

Discourage young people’s input / imbalance of views

Conflict of ideas if sudden influx of new people

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What’s happened so far…

1. Scoping paper distributed and discussed with community

2. Broad community commitment achieved

3. Council commitment to supporting project with personnel and some funding

4. Community planning meeting held and working groups established

5. Four working groups formalised with Terms of Reference

6. Representative model established with existing Orbost and District Community Development Group

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Working Groups:

Marketing...

•Surveying visitors and holiday home owners

•Developing marketing plan

•Branding and image

•Events: Orbost Reunion Day, Summer Open Day

•Public Art

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Recreation and leisure

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• Older adult friendly gym

• Investigate further investment in small, high quality loop walks

• Funding of community and activity groups

• Inter-generational activities

Transport and Mobility

• Pedestrian upgrades

• Opportunities for community transport

• Review of current public transport

• Walking / bicycle tracks

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Housing

• Home modification services, focusing on planning and provision

of suitable housing stock for older persons, new and retrofitted

housing to ensure disabled access

• Council support of private retirement suited housing

developments

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Future plans…

Determine readiness -

Orbost and District Community Development Group – existing key group

overseeing implementation.

Communication mechanisms and opportunities for regular input being established with key stakeholders eg. schools, business, sporting and recreational clubs and local health service.

Determining broader community sentiment and support - further work needed.

WHO checklist of Essential Features of Age-friendly Cities - one possible audit tool to strengthen support and clarify outcomes.

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Future plans…• Community and local government priorities aligned –

Establishing regular liaison / protocols between Shire and Orbost & District Community Development Group and Economic Group to ensure local government initiatives reflect community priorities

• Provide capacity building opportunities -

Supporting community development and sustainability through training workshops, mentoring opportunities and input into community meetings

• Ensuring strong links to other Advancing Orbost 2020 project –

ie. Business Development and Financing project

• Ensuring strong links to other Orbost community projects

ie. Beautification Project, Facilities Review, Pathways Project etc

• Ensuring that Council’s own planning and infrastructure and service delivery is aligned to an aged friendly aspiration

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Questions/ comments?

Consultant’s Report – Orbost Age Friendly Town March 2014

Website: http://www.eastgippsland.vic.gov.au

Search - Advancing Orbost 2020

Thankyou.

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