Appendix A - Need and Impact Analysis

prevalence of high blood pressure and cholesterol levels and general loss of bodily functions
(vision, hearing, lung capacity).

The above statistics demonstrate that persons over 65 require higher levels of care from
general GP’s and specialists than people under 65. On this basis it is determined that areas
consisting of a higher than average median age or percentage of aged persons therefore
requires more medical practitioners to appropriately address demand.

3.3      Cooroy 2016 Census Data
To assist in determining need, data has been extracted from the Australian Bureau of
Statistics (ABS) 2016 Census data Cooroy suburb profile. In 2016, Cooroy had a total
population of 3,791 persons and a median age of 46. This median age is close to Sunshine
Coast’s averages of 44, but significantly higher than the averages for Queensland at 37, and
Australia at 38.

Cooroy is considered to be a location that should be prioritising health care based on current
and predicted demographics. Cooroy’s population in 2016 consisted of 23.7% of persons
aged over 65, compared to the state average of 15.2%.

As aforementioned above in Section 3.2 persons over the age of 65 require higher levels of
medical attention from GP’s and specialists. From Census statistics Cooroy is considered to
be a popular retirement location within South East Queensland, currently consisting of 23.7%
of people aged over 65. This is 8.5% higher than the State average for Queensland.

3.4      Existing Medical Practices
Palm Lake Works have conducted a further analysis than that provided within the Town
Planning Report with regards to existing medical practices within the Cooroy locality.
There are three established Medical Practices within Cooroy providing general practice care
including:
      1. Maple Street Surgery;                                2. Cooroy Family Medical;
      3. Cooroy Family Practice;

Eden Hospital has been excluded from this analysis as it is considered to provide a different
level of care to general medical practices. Dr Adam Roache, Chiropractic and Suncoast
Podiatry have also been excluded as these practitioners require a referral from a GP prior to
treating patients.
This analysis does not take into consideration medical practices in nearby towns such as
Tewantin and Noosaville as they are considered to service different catchment areas.


13 February 2019                            Planning Report                      Page 6 of 17