Wheatbelt residents are encouraged to have their say on the state government's plans to make aged care planning regulations uniform across local governments.
National aged care services association Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) is urging the public to give comment on the draft Residential Aged Care Position Statement by the Western Australian Planning Commission.
LASA WA manager Liz Behjat said the draft position statement aimed to speed the processing of aged care proposals by local councils.
The strategy now open for public comment.
"Making it easier to develop innovative, quality aged care across the state is vital to ensuring the best care for older West Australians, wherever they live," Ms Behjat said.
"For many years, we have seen less residential aged care development than other states, resulting in a significantly lower aged care bed ratio in the west.
"The State's support for new aged care projects is also timely, with the Federal Government's current record residential care bed allocation in WA."
The government said there would be standard land use definitions for residential aged care facilities and retirement villages which would allow flexible transitioning from independent living to residential aged care.
"The Western Australian Planning Commission seeks to remove planning process barriers and encourage the provision of an appropriate supply and diversity of residential aged care options by establishing a consistent, simplified and streamlined approvals framework supported by a strategically-led system," the document read.
"It is proposed to complement existing government policies and services for the aged."
Ms Behjat said it was important for the community to get involved in the draft planning process.
"I encourage LASA's WA Members and all West Australians who are concerned about the efficient provision of aged care to read the statement and give their input," Ms Behjat said.
"It is critical that we get this right, to support better ageing futures for our state."
The new 'Draft Position Statement: Residential Aged Care' can be accessed at www.consultation.dplh.wa.gov.au and is open for public comment until January 19, 2020.
