This section on the Avon Regional Organisation of Councils (AROC) sub-region has been extracted from the Wheatbelt Aged Support and Care Solutions (WASCS) Report3, with a focus on the following subsections.

The 70+ population in AROC is increasing at a higher rate than any other sub-region in the Wheatbelt. AROC also has the largest amount of people aged 70 or over in the Wheatbelt. There were 2,100 people aged 70+ in 2011, projected to rise to 4,120 by 2027, an increase of 96.2% or 2,020 people.

The largest increases are projected to occur in Chittering (326 people 70+ in 2011 rising by 191.7% to 951 in 2027), Victoria Plains (59 people 70+ in 2011, rising by 118.6% to 129 in 2027) and Toodyay (428 people 70+ in 2011, rising by 108.4% to 892 in 2027). Northam local government area (LGA) has the largest population of people aged 70+ in the whole of the Wheatbelt. As of the 2011 Census there were 1,087 people aged over 70, and this number is projected to increase to 1,821 by 2027.

Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA) scores reflect ‘Highly Accessible’ through to ‘Accessible’ areas for localities within the AROC sub-region. Scores range from 1.3029 (Northam Town LGA) to 3.3433 (Dowerin LGA). No LGAs in the sub-region qualify for the viability supplement as these commence at an ARIA score of 3.52 or higher. The AROC sub-region has the highest number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents of any in the Wheatbelt. Most Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons live in Northam LGA. 75 of 121 persons aged 50-69 identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in the sub-region live in Northam. Dementia needs are projected to increase rapidly in the AROC sub-region. In 2011 there were an estimated 180 people aged 70+ living with dementia, rising to 252 in 2017, and 386 in 2027.

Insecure tenure numbers for those aged 70+ in AROC sub-region are consistent with WA percentages. Five of six LGAs in AROC sub-region considered relatively disadvantaged according to Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) 2013 Index. Chittering LGA is the only shire scored above 1,000 meaning it is considered relatively advantaged. The highest percentage of people aged 70+ living on a weekly income of less than $400 reside in the AROC sub-region. This translates to 63.4% of those aged 70+, or 1,331 people throughout the sub-region.

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