PLANNING for the future is a vital role played by all tiers of government. Having the appropriate infrastructure in place to cope with the ever-changing demands of local communities means keeping one step ahead of trends.
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With this in mind, it is interesting to note the latest projection figures released by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.
It is forecasting Bathurst to reach a population of 51,550 people by the year 2031, ranking our council area among the top five fastest growing regional councils over the next 17 years.
The data, compared to statistics from 2011, also shows there will be about a 36 per cent increase in the number of households in the region by 2031 and a massive 96 per cent in the number of residents that are 65 years or older.
Put it in simple terms, this means about 21 per cent of the population in the Bathurst region is expected to be made up of senior citizens come 2031.
That makes this sector the big mover and accordingly we will see increasing demands for aged car facilities and accommodation for the elderly.
This presents an ideal opportunity for the private sector to work with council to address the needs of residents as they reach the later stages of their lives.
In fact, Bathurst is already crying out for more aged care options and this projection report can only reaffirm how important it is for the situation to be addressed.
A positive for residents is that our council is proactive in planning for the future.