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Age friendly shopping precincts

Exploring ways to help older Victorians shop comfortably

Summary

  • Three local councils have worked with their local trader associations and the Victorian Seniors Card program on age friendly shopping precincts.
  • The three precincts are Docklands (City of Melbourne), Reservoir Village (City of Darebin) and Greythorn Shopping Centre (City of Boroondara).
  • Businesses in these precincts have also joined the Seniors Card program to provide discounts to both all card holders.

We’re always looking for ways to help – and not just through the terrific discounts and offers we organise on your behalf as a Victorian senior.

Across the state, we work with other parts of government, representative groups and businesses to help develop what we call ‘age friendly communities’ – accessible, safe, helpful and interesting places for older people to feel supported, age well and stay connected.

The Seniors Card Age Friendly Partners Program looks at addressing consumer issues and social inclusion barriers faced by some seniors. We always like to encourage and support you!

As an example, because we understand how important the social interaction between older people and their local shopkeepers can be, we have organised a partnership between local councils, trader associations and the Victorian Seniors Card program.

Currently, three councils are participating with trader associations in the Seniors Card Age Friendly Partners Program – Darebin (Reservoir Village Shopping Centre), City of Melbourne (Docklands) and Boroondara (Greythorn Shopping Centre). They realise that ‘age friendliness’ is an important ingredient of a shopping precinct’s life. Development in all three locations is informed by the advice of older people who participate in age friendly shopping precinct steering committees.

In the City of Darebin, Reservoir Village hospitality businesses are exploring ways to provide better dining experiences for older people.

City of Melbourne/Docklands are helping businesses improve their age friendly practices by conducting audits with interested businesses. The Docklands Chamber of Commerce is also hosting a two day event welcoming seniors to experience Docklands at this year’s Victorian Seniors Festival.

The Greythorn Traders Association has run a workshop educating business owners and staff about how their business can introduce more age friendly practices.

Not only are retailers offering discounts and specials to card holders across the state, more and more of them are becoming aware of ways they can help older Victorians shop comfortably, enjoy social opportunities and keep connected in their local communities.

If you’re in Reservoir, Docklands, or Greythorn precincts, look out for the 'Seniors Card welcome here' logo for Seniors Card participating businesses.

Reviewed 10 August 2022