Tom Ingleton
The future of Gladstone Park’s ageing senior citizens centre could soon be brighter, after Hume council unanimously backed a motion to investigate upgrade options for the facility.
Councillors Naim Kurt and Kate Hamley moved a notice of motion at the latest council meeting, calling for a report into the condition and compliance of the Gladstone Park Senior Citizens Centre, as well as an estimate of costs for potential improvements.
The 35-year-old building currently supports 600 to 1000 older residents weekly and is home to around 12 local senior groups.
Cr Kurt said the centre had served the Gladstone Park community since it opened in 1990, delivering a “wide range of aged services and programs.”
“The centre does have an outdoor BBQ area, an ageing and dilapidated forecourt, some seniors exercise equipment and is located adjacent to the Gladstone Park Bowls Club and vacant on Hurst Reserve,” Cr Kurt said.
As younger families are now moving into Gladstone Park as well as the community ages, Cr Kurt was forthright in suggesting that their needs had to be accounted for to see if any other social infrastructure could be provided on that site to “ensure suburbs in the south of our city aren’t missing out, as the north and west grows.”
Population forecasts show a sharp increase in residents aged 65 and over, with Cr Kurt noting that unlike other areas, Gladstone Park’s seniors groups are not in decline.
“Not only does the centre have a very strong weekly attendance, the centre is also seeing an increase in the membership of alternative community activities, culturally specific activity groups from Probus, the University of the Third Age and Men’s Sheds just to name a few,” Cr Kurt stated.
“This motion really just seeks to engage with the user groups there, seek to get their feedback, and seeks to look at what can be done to bring the facility into the 21st century.”
Cr Karen Sherry supported the motion and suggested that the Lynda Blundell Seniors Centre in Dallas should also be considered.
“I’m just wondering if the requirement for the 2025/26 budget could take into consideration the Lynda Blundell, because that is also an ageing centre,” Cr Sherry suggested.
Cr Kurt said the move reflected council’s ongoing commitment to supporting older residents.
“We are a council that does proudly support and value the positive contributions our seniors community makes.”
