A new planning policy seeks to slash red tape and fast track aged care accommodation across Western Australia.
With the number of older Australians set to more than double over the next 40 years, a new planning guide and scheme amendment are key priorities for the McGowan government and are the latest initiatives to fast track aged care accommodation across Western Australia.
The new position statement removes planning barriers, streamlines delivery across all local governments and introduces two new land use types – residential aged care facility and independent living complex.
The policy also calls for aged care accommodation to be integrated within local communities, serviced by adequate transport networks and located close to health and community services to support options for ageing in place and meet the everyday needs of residents.
Since the McGowan Government took office, more than 50 aged care development opportunities have been assisted through land transfers, rezonings, development approvals and State Government land projects.
“Without adequate planning and more aged care accommodation within the community, there will be increased pressure on the WA health system, including emergency department attendances and demand for transitional care beds, said WA Health Minister, Roger Cook”.
These various projects are expected to create at least another 1,900 aged care beds across Western Australia in the coming years.
The wider aged care policy was developed in consultation with the McGowan Government’s cross-agency Aged Care Availability Working Group, initiated by Kalamunda MLA Matthew Hughes.
“I am pleased that the work of our interagency working group on the availability of residential aged care has resulted in the development and release of this policy, he said”.
Mr Hughes was appointed an ex-officio member of the group that comprised representatives from the departments of Health; Planning, Lands and Heritage; Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries; and Communities.
The policy is available at https://www.dplh.wa.gov.au/aged-care
