Noosa Cultural Plan 2025-2030 Adoption · ATTACHMENT 1_NC_Cultural Plan_final

                                                                           Our people
                                                                           As of 30 June 2024, the estimated resident population           Inflationary pressures and pricing
                                                                           of Noosa Shire was 59,274. The population is                     — Financial barriers are impacting Queensland
                                                                           predominantly older than both the Queensland and                    audiences and what they can spend on events, and
                                                                           Australian average, accounting for the high level of                some segments need targeted thinking to ensure
                                                                           retirees and ‘empty nesters’, which make up 16.2% of the            access to arts and culture.
                                                                           population. The median age in Noosa is 50 years old.             — Across Queensland, audiences over 55 are
                                                                           Noosa’s community is highly educated, with 23% tertiary             spending the most on cultural events right now




                                                                                                                                                                                                     Noosa Council Cultural Plan 2025 – 2030
                                                                           qualified compared to the regional Australian average               and their spending is growing. However, audiences
                                                                           of 17%.                                                             under 35 are attending frequently but spend the
                                                                                                                                               least, with concerns about their economic outlook.
                                                                           Noosa Shire has a diverse cultural and creative sector,
                                                                           both professional and community oriented. Our arts,             While it is difficult to obtain accurate data on the
                                                                           culture and heritage reflect the distinct identity of           number of people engaged in the Noosa arts, culture
                                                                           Noosa and there is a strong alignment between local             and heritage sectors, anecdotal evidence suggests
                                                                           community values and arts practice with the local               that our community engages highly in the arts through
                                                                           environment frequently inspiring arts practice.                 many avenues – as artist, audience, consumer, or
                                                                                                                                           participator. The local cultural sector fosters a rich
                                                                           Participation in cultural activities has significantly          creative community life. A broad range of stakeholders
                                                                           changed since the COVID pandemic and the current                including: individuals, government agencies, community
                                                                           cost of living crisis. These changes are reflected in the       and industry organisations, and commercial businesses
                                                                           Queensland Government and Patternmakers 2023                    actively pursue and deliver cultural program's, events,
                                                                           Audience Outlook Monitor key takeaways:                         services, and products, despite the post-COVID and
                                                                                                                                           cost of living pressures further challenging viability.
                                                                           Attendance trajectories                                         Noosa people are collaborative and supportive and will
                                                                            — Attendance rates in Queensland continue their               readily work together to produce an activity or event.
                                                                               recovery since the pandemic, but with a challenging
                                                                               year ahead, it’s wise to set sights on the right targets.
                                                                            — Attendance in Queensland is at its highest point
                                                                               since COVID and although the recovery process
                                                                               continues, Queensland audiences are currently
                                                                               attending the least frequently of any state.
                                                                            — 67% of Queensland audience members expect their
                                                                               attendance levels will stay the same in the next 12
                                                                               months, major leaps in attendance appear unlikely.
     Radio Luxemberg performance at The J, 2024. Photo Travis McFarlane.
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