2020-01-13 GC Agenda - Item 10 - Attachment 2 - The Value of Tourism to the Noosa Community October 2019 FINAL REPORT

age group (under 30 years of age – 59 respondents; 30-64 years of age – 121 respondents;
and 65 years of age and over – 120 respondents).

The demographics of the respondents to the survey were representative of the proportions
of males and females in Noosa Shire, and generally representative of family type and age
structure. As shown in Appendix 5, the survey contained marginally more people over 65
and marginally less single parent families when compared to Noosa. Over 70 percent of
survey respondents had been living in Noosa for over 10 years. The marginal differences did
not materially impact on the overall conclusions, however, as sample size for various
stratifications is more related to the expected variability in the data, rather than the total
population size per se.

Chi square analysis and Cramers V examinations were conducted on crosstabulations to test
for statistical significance between the proportional outcomes associated with differences
between gender, location, age group, household type and length of time spent in Noosa.
Independent t-tests and ANOVA analyses were conducted to test for statistical significance
between the mean outcomes associated with differences between gender, location, age
group, household type and length of time spent in Noosa. Unless otherwise indicated,
statistical significance was measured at the 0.05 level, which indicates confidence level of
95% that there are material differences between independent groups being analysed.

There was a number of statistically significant differences associated with the responses to
questions by demographic characteristics. Those areas that produced statistical differences
included:
    • How residents feel about their area (statistical differences were found between age
        groups and household type);
    • Residents’ views on tourism generally (only age group produced statistical
        differences);
    • Preferred tourism growth levels (age group and household type);
    • Level of contact with tourists (age group only);
    • Feelings towards festivals (age group only)
    • Thoughts associated with tourism being a means of showcasing the Region
        (household type only);
    • Feelings associated with tourism and congestion (gender and length of time
        respondents had been living in Noosa);
    • The extent to which people perceived there is more inappropriate behaviour due to
        high levels of tourism (age and length of time respondents had been living in Noosa
        only);
    • The extent to which litter is perceived to be more of an issue due to tourism
        (residential location only);
    • The perception of the changing character of Noosa due to tourism (length of time
        respondents had been living in Noosa only).

The analysis of findings is presented in Section 6.




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