Mapping liveability in the Indigo Shire

Like many parts of rural and regional Australia, the Indigo Shire in Victoria is adapting to ageing populations to enhance inclusivity and sustainable urbanisation. The 2021 Australian census reports that over 30 per cent of the Indigo Shire population is aged over 60 years.

Charles Sturt University researchers Dr Ana Horta and Dr Rachel Whitsed collaborated with Indigo Shire Council to provide recommendations for improving walkability and connections with nature for older residents of the shire.

To do this, they looked into the walkability of the shire and attitudes towards nature and collected data from residents using surveys and workshops. The research also involved residents being recruited in the villages of Chiltern and Rutherglen to wear GPS devices for one week to directly observe when and where participants walked around the shire.

The immediate result was a report provided to Council that included recommendations which integrated with a range of Council’s strategies and planning mechanisms. They also align with the shire’s commitment to the World Health Organization’s recommendations for Age Friendly Cities and Communities.

Beyond its immediate benefits for Indigo Shire residents and councils, Dr Horta also presented the research findings and recommendations to Upper Hume Primary Care Partnership’s Age Friendly North East Victoria alliance, a regional collective of communities and organisations focused on improving the experience of ageing in regional Victoria.