COTA SA welcomes the opportunity to provide a submission to the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan (GARP) following our earlier submission to the GARP discussion paper.

COTA SA cares deeply about ageing well and is committed to ensuring older South Australians have the opportunity, capacity and ability to navigate the changes of ageing in their place of choice. The Greater Adelaide Regional Plan is an opportunity to deliberately plan to support South Australians to age well, now and into the future.

Our population is ageing. It is projected that by 2066, people aged 65 years and over account for approximately 16% of the Australian population and by 2066 that figure is estimated to increase between 21–23% . Our ageing population should be a major trend and driver that will shape the future of planning in South Australia.

We have responded to the draft plan where we feel we can meaningfully contribute to decisions that could improve the quality of life for older South Australians for the next generation.

People Housing and Liveability

COTA SA supports access to safe, secure and affordable housing. Our planning system must enable a variety of housing options suitable for all ages and abilities. Most older people want to age in place and stay in their own homes and chosen communities as they age. To achieve this, housing should be affordable, adaptable, accessible and close to amenities. It is important this does not preclude older people making a choice on the type of housing they can live in. Like older people themselves who are diverse in their lifestyle preferences, incomes, identity, cultural background and relationships, there is no one-size-fits-all model when it comes to our housing needs as we age.