2016-06-07 S&O Agenda - Item 4 Att 1 - Draft Waste Reduction & Recycling Plan

The Community Jury brought together 24 community members to consider, weigh up and develop
recommendations on this issue.

Waste minimisation is an important topic for the Noosa community and an area in which Noosa
Council prides itself on taking a proactive and innovative approach.

2.        Introduction
2.1       About Noosa
Situated at the northern tip of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Noosa Shire covers an area of
871km2 and is home to more than 53,000 people. Noosa Shire is recognised as a UNESCO
Biosphere Reserve through their Man and Biosphere (MAB) program and has a proud history of
preserving its natural environment.

In 2008, Noosa Shire, Maroochy Shire and Caloundra City Councils were amalgamated however
Noosa Shire Council was re-established as a local government on January 1, 2014.


2.2       Demographics
Key socio-economic data for Noosa include:

        Noosa is a relatively older community that is aging faster than SEQ and QLD.
        Since 2006, Noosa’s population is growing at a slower rate (1.9% per year) than SEQ
         (2.3% per year) and QLD (2.2% per year).
        Given Noosa’s economic and demographic structure the fastest growing sectors of the
         economy are health care and education.
        Noosa has lower household and personal income levels than SEQ and QLD.
        The average value of residential approvals in Noosa is 30% higher than SEQ and QLD.
        Residential building approvals in Noosa declined between 2007-2012 and then increased
         between 2012-2014.
        Noosa’s population is ethnically uniform, with high levels of Australian born, English only
         speaking households.
        Noosa has higher levels of participation in primary and secondary education than SEQ and
         QLD.
        In terms of socio-economic advantage, Noosa is overall average with pockets of both
         disadvantage and wealth.

Source: AEC Noosa Community Profile and AEC Economic Profile (2015).
2.3       Population
According to the Queensland Government Regional Profile for Noosa Local Government Area, as
at June 2014, the estimated resident population of the Noosa Shire was 53,052 with a median age
of 46.9 years.

Other significant population data includes:

        From 2011 to 2036 the population of Noosa Shire is projected to increase from 51,038 to
         61,842 people.
        Noosa is one of Australia’s most popular holiday destinations, attracting 1.8 million visitors
         annually (approx. 90% domestic). (Noosa Visitor Survey, June 2012).
        Noosa’s peak population during summer holidays is estimated at 65,000, which constitutes
         a 30% increase over the resident population (Qld Treasury & Trade, Nov 2013).

Waste Reduction & Recycling Plan - Page 3