Key researcher Dr Roderick Duncan said the federal government was encouraging seniors to live independently in their own homes supported by outside services, but seniors still needed to travel.

“Transport is a significant issue for seniors and service providers. It’s a problem for this community now and will become increasingly so. More planning is needed.”

As well male seniors who were single were concerned because they tended not to access medical services so were “invisible to home assistance services”, the study found.

Despite this Blayney seniors thought the town “just right” in many ways such as its climate, flat topography for easy of walking, the ‘can do’ community attitude and respect from younger generations.

Dr Duncan said the researchers called Blayney the “Goldilocks community”: “Because it’s just right – it’s not too big nor too little. Some seniors had lived in Sydney, the north or south coast and found it too busy, hot, humid or windy there. The most significant thing is that seniors feel safe and respected here. School kids say ‘hello’ to them in the street.”

The findings were delivered at a presentation to survey participants at council chambers on May 8.