Peninsula has highest numbers of elderly

The Woy Woy Peninsula has suburbs with the largest number of people aged 65 and over of any suburbs on the Coast, according to a report given to the Central Coast Council’s Social Inclusion Advisory Committee and tabled at the October 12 Council meeting.

The Peninsula contained the top two suburbs on the Central Coast with the greatest numbers of people in the age group.

Council community planning manager Ms Kerrie Forrest told the committee that 4065 people aged 65 and over lived in the Umina-Pearl Beach-Patonga statistical area.

The Woy Woy-Blackwall statistical area had 3466 people aged 65 and over.

The “suburbs” with the next highest populations were North Gosford-Wyoming (2973), Bateau Bay (2964) and Lake Munmorah-Chain Valley Bay (2700).

She said that typically 28 per cent lived alone and 49 per cent lived in couple-only households.

Around a quarter of them were in low income households, earning under $650 a week.

About a quarter were born overseas.

And about a quarter had no internet connection.

She said the council-proposed Positive Ageing Strategy would focus on social connections and participation, better information and technical skills, staying healthy and active, and providing age friendly facilities.

SOURCE:
Central Coast Council agenda 4.3, 12 Oct 2020