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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2008-03-06 Daily Xml
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AGEING POPULATION

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (14:32): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Urban Development and Planning a question about the ageing population of South Australia.

Leave granted.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Population projections show that the average age of South Australians is getting older—and that will be of no surprise to members of this chamber. These shifting demographics create new policy challenges for governments at all levels. Will the minister advise what the state government is doing to respond to the challenges posed by South Australia's ageing population?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Police, Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning) (14:32): Currently, South Australia has the equal oldest population in Australia, with a median age of 39 years in 2006. The size of our population of 'young elderly', which groups people aged 65 to 84 years, is projected to increase from 206,000 in 2006 to about 374,000 by mid 2031. This increase will be most pronounced after 2011, as the post Second World War baby boomer generation reaches retirement age.

Large increases are also projected to occur in the 'old elderly', which groups people aged 85 and over, where the population is expected to increase from 32,000 in 2006 to about 73,000 in 2031. To help planners and policy makers develop strategies to cope with this ageing demographic, Planning SA has developed the Ageing Atlas.

This statistical atlas responds to the growing demand by government agencies, private industry and the general community for reliable data to assist with planning for the future needs of our ageing population. Increases in the older population will happen, regardless of the size of incoming migration, as the ageing will occur within the existing population. This presents challenges to our service providers, planners and policy makers into the future.

The Ageing Atlas project was conceived in 2006 as part of a Planning SA project entitled Ageing and Its Implications for Social and Planning Policy. The aim of the atlas is spatially and numerically to define and map the composition of the state's ageing population and then to provide this information in an easy-to-access format for as many users as possible.

The atlas is an interactive internet-based guide. It combines population data and projections with other research to provide:

projected numbers of older residents in all metropolitan Adelaide and country councils by age group through to 2021; and

the number and type of existing accommodation for aged people by council area.

The Ageing Atlas is designed to provide a range of spatial information about the characteristics of our ageing population to assist with a broad range of planning decisions, including the future location of health services, retirement villages and retail facilities across South Australia. This policy tool is to be developed further in the coming year as further data are integrated into the system. The Ageing Atlas is a companion to the Population Projections Enquiry System, also developed by Planning SA. I commend these projects to members of the council and congratulate Planning SA on its work in developing this atlas.

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