2022-11-04 Special Meeting - Agenda Item 1 - Attachment 1 - Housing Strategy

1. Introduction and Context
1.1 State of Housing
                                                                        age, mobility, household size and budget.




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Queensland is facing a housing crisis with over 46,000 people on
the state’s social housing register and communities throughout          Past and present planning instruments for Noosa Shire

the State experiencing very low rental vacancies. While the             have been built around a carrying capacity philosophy.

Queensland government recently held a housing summit,                   Most of the remaining planned capacity is to be located

neither the Commonwealth nor State Governments are going to             within the existing defined urban boundaries, rather than




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be able to redress this problem in a brief time frame or without        through    significant    outward     expansion.      Further

significant investment.                                                 development      and     redevelopment       within   urban
                                                                        boundaries should ensure land is used more efficiently,
The housing crisis is seen by the current Noosa Council as one
                                                                        with associated efficiencies in infrastructure and service
of the most significant challenges it is likely to face. Accordingly,
                                                                        provision. While a low level of private housing growth
like many other local governments, it is looking for ways to
                                                                        continues, it is typically not affordable for low to medium
be part of the solution so that Noosa Shire may remain a safe,
                                                                        income earners or first home buyers.
inclusive community, where diversity is valued.

It’s estimated Noosa Shire is home to close to 57,000 people,           As with other holiday destinations, many dwellings in
around 60 percent of whom reside in Tewantin, Noosaville,               Noosa Shire, particularly in coastal areas are not
Noosa Heads and the south-eastern coastal communities from              permanent residences but are kept as holiday homes or
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Sunshine Beach to Peregian Beach. The balance of the
population live in the hinterland, mostly within the existing towns
                                                                        let out to short term guests. Conversely locals are living in
                                                                        units designed and built as visitor accommodation.
and villages of Cooroy, Pomona, Cooran, Kin Kin, Boreen Point
                                                                        There is an imbalance between relatively lower paying
and their surrounding settlements, including Noosa North Shore.
                                                                        employment opportunities, such as retail and hospitality
By 2041, Noosa’s population is projected to reach around 65,000         sectors, and high housing costs. Lower housing costs
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persons. These will be distributed between coastal urban                away from these areas is traded for increased travel
communities and the hinterland. Different housing types and             costs. Many employers face challenges attracting and
styles are needed throughout the Shire, to provide choices,             retaining staff as affordable housing is not available. This
ensuring people’s housing needs are catered for, regardless of          coincides with a loss of customer-focussed and service
                                                                        sector workers through Covid 19 Pandemic.                   3