NON-POWERED WATER SPORTS FEASIBILTY STUDY · Attachment 1: Noosa NPWS Feasibility Study

7.7 Demographic considerations
The decision to participate in one sport or activity over                                    2021 population
another, or to participate at all, is usually the result of many
factors including age, gender, and socio-economic status. It is
important to understand these factors and how they influence
patterns of behaviour and sport participation choices, in order
to plan and provide sport and recreation opportunities for
Noosa residents and create age-friendly communities and
facilities.
As of 30 June 2021, the estimated resident population for
Noosa LGA was 56,796. With a current median age of 49.5
years (QLD is 37.8 years), Noosa has an older population that
is ageing at a faster rate than the rest of Queensland and is
projected to see an increase in the proportion of residents
aged 65 years and over through to the year 2041. With a
projected population of 64,999 by June 2041, approximately
a third of Noosa’s residents will be aged 65 years and over.
With an average annual growth rate of 1.1% over the next                              0-14     15-24        25-44   45-64      65+
10 years the number of residents in the other age cohorts
(excluding 65 years plus) will experience minimal growth,
expect for those aged between 15 and 24 years, where the                                     2041 population
number of residents is predicted to decline, slightly.
Consistent with the age distribution across the LGA, 51.4%
of the families in Noosa are couples with no children, higher
than the QLD average of 40.3%. The percentage of the
population that undertakes voluntary work is also higher in
the LGA at 17.0%, compared to 14.1% for the State.

Popular destination
Noosa’s natural environment and vast accommodation
options make it population location for large sporting events.
Hosting of regional, state or national sporting events and
competitions require assessment on a case-by-case basis
to determine infrastructure and logistic requirements,
environmental impact risk assessment, and mitigation
measures, compared with the potential economic and                                    0-14    15-24         25-44   45-64     65+
community benefits.
                                                                     Pie graphs depicting age distribution for Noosa in 2021 and 2041

                    40.0%


                    35.0%


                    30.0%


                    25.0%


                    20.0%


                    15.0%


                    10.0%


                     5.0%


                     0.0%
                                   0-14               15-24                 25-44                45-64                  65+

                                            P2021      P2041       M2021      M2041       W2021        M2041
                                           Column graph depicting age distribution for Noosa in 2021 and 2041

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                                                                                 Draft Feasibility Report