2017-04-11 P&E Agenda Attachment 1 to Item 1 Housing Needs Assessment

               the Gold Coast in 2011. This was a significantly higher proportion than for Brisbane
               with 11.3% or Queensland with 12%.
       Noosa Shire appears less affordable than comparative LGAs. Accommodation affordability
        is impacted by both low median incomes and high median accommodation costs, e.g:
          o    Compared to Fraser Coast, Noosa Shire has a higher median household income,
               however median priced dwellings are around $200,000 more expensive to purchase
               compared to the Fraser Coast, and around $150 per week more expensive to rent;
          o    Compared to Douglas Shire, and Queensland, Noosa Shire has lower median
               household incomes and higher median prices;
          o    Median dwelling rental and sale prices are similar for the Gold Coast and Noosa
               Shire, however the median household income for the Gold Coast is around $230 per
               week higher.
          o    Between 5-10 additional percentage points of income are needed in Noosa Shire to
               afford a dwelling compared to the next most unaffordable comparative LGA
               considered (which for most indicators was the Gold Coast).

It can be concluded from the above that some of the issues associated with housing suitability
and affordability are common to other retirement/tourist destinations. However Noosa Shire rates
above the comparatives on nearly all indicators.
A higher rate of provision of smaller dwellings that are suitable for smaller households could
provide additional housing choice and help to address affordability issues which are widely
experienced in the community. Strategies to address affordability by growing incomes may be
limited by the ageing population, with the proportion of people aged 60 years and over projected
to increase to around 38% at 2036.

It will also be important that the New Noosa Plan considers the need for affordable living, which
includes the cost of transport and other expenses, when locating more affordable housing.




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