2018-08-31 Special Meeting Agenda

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA                                                                       31 AUGUST 2018


Potential Commercial Use

In investigating potential future commercial appetite for use of the facility, population and
demographic projections for the Tewantin Noosaville catchment were reviewed. There is a
projected minor population increase of approximately 2,000 people in the catchment over the next
10 years, characterised by a large component over 65 years of age including a statistically high
number over 80 years of age expected to require some higher level of care. This population is
currently catered for by aged care centres such as Japara, Carramar, or retirement villages such
as Hibiscus, Domain, Riverlands, or serviced in residences by in home care providers. The
Sundale aged care and retirement facility currently being constructed on McKinnon Drive will also
meet some of the future expected demand.

It should be noted that the northern end of the Sunshine Coast Council region (i.e. Peregian
Springs / Peregian Breeze/ Doonan / Lake Weyba) forms part of the broader catchment, and
growth in these areas is expected to continue to place pressure on Noosa facilities (noting that the
populations in these areas are described as having a more even age distribution than the Tewantin
Noosaville catchment).

The population and demographic projections indicate that given the size and location of the
Tewantin TAFE site, commercial appetite may exist with respect to some form of aged care /
retirement village development in the near future.

Other possible uses canvassed include the following:

 Use                          Comment
 Place of public worship         Should the property be listed for sale there may be interest from churches
 (i.e. church)                    who are attracted to purchase the site due to its location and also size (i.e.
                                  good vegetation buffers to contain noise and large existing floor space)
                                 A change in use for the site would likely be impact assessable under the
                                  current Noosa plan
 Aged care / retirement          As mentioned above, the Tewantin/Noosaville age demographic would
 village                          indicate demand for this type of development. It is understood that there
                                  have been providers within the industry actively seeking sites in the area
                                  for purchase and as a potential development opportunity
                                 Flow-on economic benefits to the Tewantin and broader Noosa region
                                  would likely eventuate from this use
                                 A change in use for the site would likely be impact assessable under the
                                  current Noosa plan
 Educational facility / hub      Potential education providers would include registered training
                                  organisations (RTO’s), the Central Queensland University (CQU),
                                  Sunshine Coast University (SCU), private and public Schools, and smaller
                                  boutique providers (i.e. English language classes etc.)
                                 However issues associated with the TAFE closure (i.e. public transport
                                  perception, visibility, distance from other facilities and overall accessibility)
                                  remain factors that may discourage the use of location as either an owner,
                                  sole tenant or joint tenant
                                 It is understood that site is not under consideration for future use by any of
                                  the large education providers currently located in the shire.
                                 Should Council purchase the site to activate for educational purposes,
                                  competitive neutrality obligations would need to be met with respect to floor
                                  space market pricing
 Single large commercial         No market sounding exercise has been undertaken by Council staff to
 tenant                           determine any appetite for a large commercial anchor tenant role at the
                                  site (given the site is still under state ownership and this may already be
                                  occurring directly with the state). The design of the buildings may deter
                                  interest, with any potential redevelopment requiring a cost benefit analysis

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