MCU10/2083 Development Application part 2 - Attachment 4 - Economic Impact and Need Assessment

3.3        SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS

           Trade area socio-economic characteristics provide an indication of the capacity
           of a population to support retail and other activities. Table 3.2 summarises key
           socio-economic data for the defined trade area as at the 2006 Census.
           The Sunshine Coast Statistical Division (SCSD—encompasses the local
           government areas of Noosa Shire, Maroochy Shire and Caloundra City) and
           Queensland are included as benchmarks for comparison.
           Notable variations of key socio-economic characteristics between the trade area
           and the regional and state benchmarks are summarised below.

           Age Distribution

                 •    The total trade area has an older age profile than the SCSD and
                      Queensland benchmarks, as evidenced by the higher proportion of
                      persons aged over 45 years (empty nesters) and correspondingly lower
                      proportion aged less than 45 years. These differences are clearer when
                      presented as age-sex structure pyramids (Figure 3.2).
                 •    In particular, the primary trade area has a relatively older age profile
                      characterised by a higher proportion of persons aged 65+ (18.2%)
                      compared to the SCSD and Queensland (16.5% and 12.4%
                      respectively).
                 •    Conversely, the secondary trade area has a more youthful population as
                      evidenced by a higher proportion of dependent children (19.8%) and
                      lower proportion of persons aged 65+ (14.0%).

           Figure 3.2: Total Trade Area and Queensland Age-Sex Structure, 2006

              100+
             95-99         MALES                                                    FEMALES
             90-94
             85-89
             80-84
             75-79
             70-74
             65-69
             60-64
             55-59
             50-54
             45-49
             40-44
             35-39
             30-34
             25-29
             20-24
             15-19
             10-14
               5-9
               0-4
                     6.0            4.0    2.0         0.0        2.0         4.0         6.0
                                          Per cent of total population
                                             Total Trade Area    Queensland


           Source: ABS 2006 Census.



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19 October 2010                                    16