Ipswich City Council

Ageing Study

Ipswich City Council is undertaking a study to identify the needs, aspirations and emerging issues of older people within Ipswich to inform Council's planning and services so that the City is an attractive place for older people to live, work and visit.

The study identifies the international, national and local trends and patterns resulting from the ageing of the population, and the challenges for the community and Council in responding to these changes over the next couple of decades. Of particular interest to Council is the under-representation of older people in Ipswich compared to the Queensland profile. This data suggests that residents leave the City before and after retirement, depriving the community of significant social and community benefits.

The goals of the Ipswich Ageing Study are:

To provide a clear picture of the trends and patterns impacting on Ipswich's ageing population and the implications for the community and Council.
To identify the community's needs, aspirations, emerging issues and opportunities that will support a quality lifestyle for residents who are growing older and approaching retirement.

Two age cohort populations have been identified in the study. These are:

People aged 55 years and over. This age cohort represents the existing Ipswich older population. In 2001, the age groups 55-64 years and 65 years and over represented 15.4% of the total Ipswich population.
People aged 35-54 years. This age group represents the "baby boomer" population, defined as those born between 1945 and 1965. In 2001, the age group 35-44 years and 45-54 years represented 27.1% of the total Ipswich population.

The term "older people" is used throughout this report to refer to the age cohort born before 1945. The term 'baby boomers' is used to refer to people born between 1945 and 1965.

It is acknowledged that the future characteristics and needs of the Ipswich ageing population are likely to vary over time and will be influenced by social and economic conditions and other factors (eg. Family formation, labour market participation, policy, housing, living arrangements, mortality and morbidity). These factors are likely to impact on how older people make decisions about living in, working in and visiting the Ipswich community. These decisions will be influenced by:

access to services which support independent and active lives;
access to appropriate housing;
family and social networks;
access to appropriate transport;
personal interests;
safety and security at home and in the community;
opportunities for social, cultural and recreational participation; and
alternative choices about where to retire.

From the comments expressed by older people at the community consultations, there is an indication that older people in Ipswich wish to contribute to making Ipswich a great place to retire.

Last Updated 2 Sep 2009 |

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