Building an age-friendly community for seniors in Reservoir

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14 Oct 2014

Two new initiatives are set to revitalise the shopping environment for seniors in Reservoir, making it easier for them move around and get the best discounts from traders.

Member for Northern Metropolitan Region and Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier Craig Ondarchie today at Reservoir Library launched the Reservoir Village Age-Friendly Partners Program and the Darebin Age-Friendly Pedestrian Demonstration Project as part of the 2014 Victorian Seniors Festival.

"The Victorian Coalition Government is committed to supporting seniors to live healthy and active lives, connected to friends and family in their local community," Mr Ondarchie said.

"That is why we are proud to support these wonderful new initiatives that are set to transform Reservoir into a safe and welcoming age-friendly community for local seniors."

Mr Ondarchie said the Reservoir Village Age-Friendly Partners Program will encourage traders to make their shops more age-friendly and increase the number of businesses in Reservoir offering Seniors Card discounts.

"We know that seniors rely on their local shopping areas such as Reservoir Village, and value good customer service and shopping in a safe, accessible and friendly environment," Mr Ondarchie said.

"I encourage local businesses to think about their older customers with simple changes like making large print menus available to having a chair for people while they wait.

"Recently the Government also launched Seniors Count! – our five-year Seniors Participation Action Plan that includes $5 million in new funding to support seniors.

"As a part of the plan, we will expand the Victorian Seniors Card program in 2015 to provide business discounts to more than 160,000 seniors who are still working 35 hours or more per week."

Mr Ondarchie said the Darebin Age-Friendly Pedestrian Demonstration Project, with $125,000 from the TAC's LGA Grants Program, will improve safety for road users in Reservoir Village, including senior pedestrians and cyclists.

"This Project will improve safety along The Broadway in Reservoir by introducing a reduced 40km/h speed limit with four new electronic signs," Mr Ondarchie said.

"It also includes four new kerb extensions, replacement of footpaths to help older people cross the road safely, and installing raised pedestrian crossing thresholds which will create a space for seniors to sit, relax and socialise."

Transport Accident Commission Major Project Manager Road Safety Elizabeth Waller said the project was very important as older pedestrians were some of our most vulnerable road users and were becoming more at risk of being killed or seriously injured on Victorian roads.

"Between 2004 and 2013, 465 pedestrians were killed on Victorian roads, with one third aged 70 years and over," Ms Waller said.

"This project has been designed within the safe system principles and will be delivered as part of the new LGA Grants Program. It will serve as an age-friendly best-practice site for creating safer public environments for our older community."

The Victorian Seniors Festival, now in its 32ndyear, celebrates the contribution of older people to Victoria. There are more than 1,500 associated events taking place across the State.

All Victorian Seniors Card holders can access free metropolitan and regional public transport for from Sunday 5 to 12 October, as well as five days of free V/Line travel on the 7,8,9,11 and 12 October (not including Friday 10 October).

For more details about Victorian Seniors Festival events, pick up a free program from Coles stores, your local council, neighbourhood houses or libraries. To browse the full Festival calendar visit www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au or call the Festival hotline on 1300 135 090.

https://www.tac.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/video_file/0011/106310/Liz-Grabs-Hd.mp4

TAC Major Project Manager Road Safety Elizabeth Waller talks about the new Age-Friendly Pedestrian Demonstration Project in Reservoir.

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