2015-09-15 Infrastructure and Services Committee Agenda

INFRASTRUCTURE & SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   15 SEPTEMBER 2015




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INFRASTRUCTURE & SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                              _ 15 SEPTEMBER 2015

            2.4      Community Facilities and Services
            The Noosa Shire has a strong and active community sector representing diverse interests and needs. There
            are approximately 300 not-for-profit community and sporting organisations located within the Shire. These
            groups range in size and scale from small groups focussed on local activities to religious organisations with
            large congregations and not-for-profit organisations delivering services at a regional, state and national level.
            Not-for-profit community organisations fill the gaps left by the government and business sectors, often
            providing direct assistance to the most vulnerable in the community. Support from corporate sponsors and
            the community, as well as government at all levels, is needed to sustain a healthy not-for-profit sector.
            A preliminary audit of Noosa Shire facilities and services was conducted in 2015, and recommendations
            relating to community organisations, facilities or services were made. Evidence from the audit, as well as
            from consultations with key stakeholders, demonstrates that there is minimal requirement for additional
            facilities in the Shire. However, there is a need to better co-ordinate and promote the availability of services
            provided. And there is also a need to improve the functionality of existing facilities, rather than construct
            new facilities.
            Council recognises that schools and private organisations have facilities that are often under-utilised on
            weekends, holiday periods or after school hours. The opportunity exists for these facilities to be made
            available for broader community purposes and to meet much of the overflow in current demand for
            community meeting spaces.
            In order to meet the future needs of the Noosa communities, the Desired Standards of Service for Parks and
            Land for Community Facilities should be reviewed. While Desired Standards of Service must be applied with
            caution, they provide a useful guide in ensuring an equitable and just distribution of public facilities.
            25       Key Issues
            It has become apparent in the development of this strategy that there is a need for improved local data to
            inform evidenced-based social planning, advocacy and resource allocation. From the data available, the key
            social issues in Noosa are similar to those in other regional Queensland communities and have been
            identified as:
        e   The Shire’s ageing population: Our population is older and ageing at a faster rate than the State average.
            This will impact on the available local workforce, demands on services targeting seniors, and may require
            some reprioritisation of resources. However it also positively affects the number of skilled volunteers in the
            Shire.
        e   Young people leaving the Shire: As in many regional areas across the State, young people are leaving the
            Shire due to the lack of local tertiary education and employment opportunities.
        e   Mental health and social isolation: There are an increasing number of vulnerable groups emerging in our
            community e.g. lone person households, some within the LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and
            Intersex) cohort, and disengaged young people. To service the needs of these groups will require new and
            innovative approaches that support those most at risk.
        e   Homelessness (particularly for young people): This is an increasing issue in the Shire and a priority issue for
            the State Government. Well documented links between mental health and homelessness highlight a complex
            issue requiring a multi-faceted, coordinated approach as well as strong partnerships between government,
            not-for-profit organisations and the community.
        e   The availability of affordable housing, rental housing and short-term crisis housing: Noosa’s home and
            rental prices are higher than the State average. This, coupled with lower than average incomes, has led to a
            lack of affordable housing in the area. Shortages in affordable housing contribute to rates of homelessness.
        e = The rising cost of living: The increase in cost of living has been caused by a variety of factors, particularly the
            rising cost of utilities such as power and water. Such imposts have reportedly caused two-thirds of
            Australians to cut back on spending. Noosa generally has high housing costs relative to income and thus
            poor housing affordability. Car dependency is high and there is limited housing diversity.
        e   Unemployment and underemployment: Noosa has a higher unemployment rate than the State average.
            There needs to be greater coordination and information sharing between government, industry and training
            organisations.

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