By Callan Date
RATE rises, the health system and lack of bus shelters are just some of the issues local senior citizens are voicing their concerns about.
The three points were among the many hot topics raised by more than 300 of the community’s elderly residents at an afternoon tea with Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan last Monday.
The meeting was organised by the local MP and provided seniors with the opportunity to talk personally with their state member.
“Senior citizens have a range of experiences and a unique perspective on our community and this gave me an excellent chance to hear that perspective,” Mr Donnellan said.
Another prominent message of concern was the difficulty many seniors are having trying to live on a fixed income with several everyday items increasing in price.
“It is about time councillors considered the needs of those on fixed incomes,” Mr Donnellan said.
“The seniors I spoke to indicated that councillors who continually vote for rate rises should get out and meet some of the people they are hurting.”
Seniors also commented on the lack of bus shelters in the area and the problems associated with using them during the winter months.
Casey mayor Kevin Bradford said no councillor wanted to vote for increased rate rises but with the massive growth in the area the hike was inevitable.
“With growth comes an increased demand on infrastructure and the trick is to try and make these rises as reasonable as possible for residents,” Cr Bradford said.
