• Charles Sturt partnering with Indigo Shire Council and Victorian Government to improve access and facilities at parks for older residents

Residents over the age of 65 in Rutherglen and Chiltern are encouraged to take part in an online survey which will inform decisions about the future of parks and other public spaces in their townships.

Charles Sturt University is co-funding a study with Indigo Shire Council and the Victorian Government Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning to find out what people over the age of 65 think about local parks, National Parks and open spaces in the two north-eastern Victorian centres.

The information collected in the study will be used to improve strategic planning of parks in the Indigo Shire to provide better access and facilities for older people.

The study’s specific areas of interest include what attracts residents to parks, what stops residents visiting parks, and what types of urban parks that currently don’t exist in the areas could be developed that would attract older people.

Associate Professor Rosemary Black (pictured) from Charles Sturt’s School of Environmental Sciences said the study is an important indicator of why older people do or don’t use parks and what kind of facilities they are using or would like provided.

“Active, healthy ageing is a priority in Australia as we see a growing number of older people in our communities,” she said.

“In Australia about one in seven people are aged 65 and over, mostly living in rural and regional areas, and so population ageing is one of the most important social and policy issues we are facing as a nation.

“Adapting now to population ageing is crucial for regional and rural communities to remain thriving places for individuals and families to live, learn, work and play.”

The volunteers will take part in online focus groups of between eight and 10 people. The focus groups will run for between 60-90 minutes, and be conducted via Zoom meetings. Participants will need a computer or tablet to take part, but do not need a Zoom account.

Interested residents can contact Associate Professor Black via email at rblack@csu.edu.au.