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Agenda Item 10.1
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE SENIORS COORDINATING COMMITTEE
ON 20 MAY 2015 at 4:00PM IN THE ANDY MCNEILL ROOM, CIVIC CENTRE, TODD STREET
1. ATTENDANCE AND APOLOGIES:
PRESENT:Mayor Damien Ryan (phone in)Councillor Steve Brown - ASTC (Chair)Enid Harland - Probus Kathleen Nitschke - USA Geoff Sloan - General MemberLowell Wood - General Member (Alzheimers Australia NT)Leigh Grant - General Member (Alzheimers Australia NT)Pauline Wardle - Australian Regional and Remote Community Services (ARRCS)Bronwyn Arnold - Australian Regional and Remote Community Services (ARRCS)Jayne Stinton - Catholic Care NT Aged Care AdvocacyShauna Hartig - Country Women's Association, Alice SpringsJan Dowson - National Seniors of Central Australia (arrived at 4:15pm)Leon Tripp - ASTC, Community & Cultural Development Manager Mitch Cameron - ASTC, Community Development Officer Telly Ociones - ASTC (minutes)
APOLOGIES:Councillor Dave Douglas - ASTCJill Deer - Alice Springs Senior Citizens AssociationJenny Mostran - Council on the AgeingRex Mooney - ASTC, Chief Executive OfficerCraig Catchlove - ASTC, Director Corporate and Community Services
The meeting commenced at 4:05 pm.
2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
RESOLVED:That it be a recommendation to Council:
That the minutes of meeting held 15 April 2015 be confirmed as a true and correct record of the proceedings of that meeting.Moved: Enid Harland Seconded: Kathleen Nitschke
3. BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES
3.1 Housing for Self-funded Retirees / Seniors Accommodation
Kathleen Nitschke tabled the following report from Wendy Collits, U3A Committee, on Seniors Lifestyle Village:
Seniors Coordinating Committee 20/05/15 Page 2 of 5
❖ Since the ASTC Seniors Talkfest was organised by Cindy Mosely in June 2004 a collection of Self-Funded Retirees (SFR) have been campaigning governments to release land for a Life Style Village, continuing to discuss their needs and looking at options available. Requirements formulated:
> SFR's wanted 'space' - high quality was also very relevant - they don't want to compromise.ie floor space, storage etc. They do not want to be squashed into a small building upon their retirement, e.g. these days with computers, people require an office space.
> Over the intervening years no SFR wanted a one bedroom place - it was very important to them that they have a spare bedroom to have a grandchild/visitor stay over. Seniors who move into town from stations want to be able to have family stay when in town: Note -In the results of the survey sent out by ASTC a couple of years ago results showed that 27% wanted a three bedroom place, 68% wanted a two bedroom place.
> Parking - undercover parking available at their building, sometimes need two spaces (refer Pearl Village Own).
> A separate parking area on site for caravans, motorhomes etc.;> Parking for visitors.> A 'gated community' was always high priority, SFR's want to be able to lock
up and go on holidays/travel knowing that everything is safe and secure, including their vehicles. It also adds an extra level of security for seniors, living inside a gated area.
> Joint facilities - Community Hall, meeting room, a private room/s for visiting medical workers eg chiropodist This room could also be used as a 'private space' when residents need it.
❖ Survey resultsThe following are the essential aspects that arose from the ASTC survey:
Access to public transport 86%Choice of floor plan and fittings 82%Support for independence 80%Individual ownership 73%Emergency communication 72%Solar powered 71%Gated Community 67%Joint facilities 65%Water conservation 60%
‘Pearl’ Complex in Darwin(www.pearlretiremnt.com Phone 1800 894 375 for queries/information)
The 'Southern Cross' company (Southern Cross Care, 151 Greenhill Road, Parkside SA 5063 Ph (08) 8291 8000) was approached by the government to set up the complex. They were contracted firstly to come up to Darwin and make a proposal for this joint venture. They paid for the erection of the buildings using local builders and ensured it was environmentally friendly i.e. suited to the weather, placement on the block etc. They also had the attractive, low maintenance gardens planted out.
As they paid for the services, building and contraction work they retained ownership of the houses and the supporting care facility which they manage.Note: Alice Springs has 'Old Timers'.
In Darwin purchasers have a choice when buying, both in the number of bedrooms and number of parking spaces (1 or 2) required.
SFR's buy the houses from Southern Cross and retain ownership until the time arises when they wish to sell them. When a resident sells they get their money back
Seniors Coordinating Committee 20/05/15 Page 3 of 5
and any profit made is shared equally between the owner and Southern Cross. Each Lifestyle Village around Australia has its own agreements with its developers.
Geoff Sloan advised that there was no mention of the seniors lifestyle village at the recent Budget briefing. Mayor Ryan advised that it is not a government funded property and will be done through private enterprise, hence there was no dollar value of this item in the Budget.
Discussion ensued.
ACTION:A. Kathleen Nitschke asked that the above information be forwarded to Scott Lovett,
with an additional request for consideration that pets would be allowed in the proposed Seniors Village.
B. Mitch Cameron to get regular update from Scott Lovett and invite him in the following meetings for a progress report.
3.2 Alice Springs 50 Plus Community Centre Website
Mitch Cameron advised that the website www.seniorsinalicepsrinqs.com.au is still progressing along. Contents are still being added/updated.
3.3 NT Pensioner and Carers Scheme Changes / Elder Abuse Info Line
A flyer on Elder Abuse Info Line was distributed at the last meeting from the Darwin Community Legal Service. A few questions were raised because it was Darwin branded.
Geoff Sloan advised that the brochure will be updated to reflect that the service is across the whole of NT.
Jayne Stinton overviewed how the elder abuse info line works and how it is funded. NT and Victoria are the only states that do not have an elder abuse info line. All the other elder abuse lines sit within the Advocacy Service in those states/territories.
A letter has been sent to Minister Styles requesting to attend the meeting sometime in the future to address the SCC on issues relating to NT pensioner and carers scheme changes, elder abuse info line and eye testing for over 70s.
3.4 Seniors Information Booklet
Working alongside the website to see how that can fit in best.
3.5 Old Timers Cottages
Mitch Cameron had a meeting with Mary Miles and Pauline Wardle to discuss clarification on issues relating to the Old Timers cottages. It is not facing an uncertain future.
Pauline Wardle addressed some concerns raised by the Committee at the last meeting.• The control/management/responsibility has been taken on by ARRCS and there has
been minimal change as those in previous roles with Frontier Services have remained in positions at Old Timers.
Seniors Coordinating Committee 20/05/15 Page 4 of 5
• There are 8 allocated staff flats (this has not changed since the changeover). Staff would only be put into additional flats temporarily. There are 40 cottages in total.
• The Old Timers/ARRCS provide plumbing, power and assist with a range of improvements including the replacement of kitchens.
• People are not income or means tested.• Individuals are allowed to make improvements but in most cases do not make
extensive changes. Residents are advised if it is thought that they are spending too much on the improvement.
• The pricing structure remains similar to pension accommodation available in town. People can also be eligible for rental assistance.
• Residents are required to pay $50 cleaning bond. This has not changes since ARRCS took over from Frontier Services.
• The proceeds from the yearly fete go to the upgrade of the cottages.• Increasing the number of cottages is a long term plan and at the moment is not
possible as there has no capital funding.
Jan Dowson enquired the possibility of building a house at the Old Timers. PaulineWardle will bring this up at their next meeting.
3.6 Eye Testing for Over 70s Driver Licence Renewal
Geoff Sloan gave an update in discussion with MVR on the issue of drivers over 70 years of age requiring an eye test to renew their licence annually.• National Seniors has sent a letter to the Minister on the issue that the practice is
discriminatory.• Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia have no age related legislation.• Proposal that people should be allowed to have eye test within the 6 month
renewable time.
Discussion ensued on conditional license, revocation of license due to dementia.
RECOMMENDATION:Council to send a letter to Minister Chandler on this issue of eye testing for over 70s driver licence renewal.
3.7 June 17 SCC Meeting
The next Seniors Coordinating Committee meeting will be held in the Arunta room.
3.8 Disabled Parking at the Post Office
This item was raised by Enid Harland at the last meeting in relation to the disabled parking in front of the Post Office opposite on the other side of the road; whether it is possible for Council to consider switching it with the taxi rank car park in front of the Post Office as it is hard for people to get across the road.
ACTION:Mitch Cameron to refer this request to the Access Advisory Committee for further discussion.
Mayor Ryan left the meeting at 4:50pm.
Seniors Coordinating Committee 20/05/15 Page 5 of 5
4. OTHER BUSINESS
4.1 Alice Springs Men’s Shed
Lowell Wood enquired if anyone has any information about the men’s shed. There were talks that it will operate out of Bindi.
ACTION:Mitch Cameron to find out more information on the Alice Springs men’s shed.
4.2 Vacant Public Housing in Alice Springs
Kathleen Nitschke raised the issue of piles of rubbish abandoned on vacant public housing around Alice Springs and the front yard left uncleaned. This is open for vandalism if left vacant for so long. Is the Council in any position to put pressure upon the Housing Authority about keeping those sites tidy and clean?
ACTION:Council to invite the Minister for Housing to address the SCC on this issue.
4.3 Submission to the ‘NT Domestic and Family Violence Act’
Geoff Sloan drafted a submission to the Domestic and Family Violence Act to the Attorney General’s office for the SCC to approve.
The Committee accepted the draft submission with amendment to include mandatory reporting protocol.
RECOMMENDATION:That Council send the attached submission to the Attorney General’s office.
4.4 Membership to SCC
The Committee has a number of general member positions available. Leigh Grant is from Alzheimers Australia NT and would like to be part of the SCC. The Committee accepted his application.
RECOMMENDATION:That it be a recommendation to Council:
That the application of Leigh Grant as a general member of the Seniors Coordinating Committee be approved.
5. NEXT MEETING
Wednesday, 17 June 2015, at 4:00pm Andy McNeill Room
6. CLOSE
The meeting closed at 5:10pm.
Director Legal PolicyDepartment of the Attorney-General and Justice GPO Box 1722 DARWIN NT 0801
Alice SpringsJIM
Dear Director Legal Policy,
The Alice Springs Town Council's Seniors Coordinating Committee (ASTC SCC) welcomes the Northern Territory Government initiative in seeking submissions regarding possible improvement to the Domestic and Family Violence Act, its operation and its interaction with related Northern Territory legislation.
The ASTC SCC submits that Elder Abuse should be considered by the review as distinct and separate behaviours within domestic and family violence and the amended Act should include explicit references to Elder Abuse.
Existing research notes that some 80% of Elder Abuse occurs within families and is perpetrated mostly by male family members. Financial abuse is rife. All the various indicators of Domestic Violence and Child Abuse are present in Elder Abuse.
The improved legislation needs to be supported by further research on the issue, the development of protocols and the establishment of complementary service responses within the Northern Territory that are sensitive to the needs of the clients and cultures identified.
Amended legislation will allow authorities to prosecute the perpetrators of these concerning acts of Elder Abuse.
It is also important that mandatory reporting protocols be established as per the mandatory child abuse protocols, due to the vulnerability of the aged.
If requested representatives of the Alice Springs Town Council (ASTC) and the ASTC SCC can contribute further to the review of the Domestic and Family Violence Act.
Please contact Mitch Cameron, ASTC SCC Administration Assistant; (08) 89500567 or [email protected] to arrange any further consultation.
Kind Regards,
TonyJennison Alicd/Springs Town CouncilAdtmg Director Corporate & Community Services(£8) [email protected]
93 Todd Street • PO Box 1071 Alice Springs NT 0871Tel: (08) 89 500 500 • Fax: (08) 89 530 558 • Email: [email protected] • Web: www.alicesprings.nt.gov.au
