NOOSA AQUATICS CENTRE UPGRADE PLAN AND NOOSA AQUATICS FACILITIES STRATEGIC PLAN · Attachment 2 Noosa Aquatic Facilities Strategic Plan 2026-2036

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Median age 2021

Demographic Profile
                                                                                                              Noosa                     Queensland                          Australia


                                                                                                                   50                            38                                38
Noosa’s population is growing slowly, ageing and
concentrating around the coast - trends that will shape
demand for accessible, low-impact aquatic programs.
The Shire expects population growth of only 16% until             Projected median
2046, compared with the Sunshine Coast, where the                     age 2046                                     54                          41.5                              42.1                             Residents aged
projected population growth rate is 57% over the same                                                                                                                                                               55+ in 2046
period (medium forecast). The Queensland Government’s
recently updated South East Queensland Regional Plan
2023 (ShapingSEQ), proposes a higher overall population                                                          50%                         38.6%                           33.04%
growth rate of 34% for Noosa, which is still significantly
lower than projected growth for the broader Sunshine
Coast region.
                                                                    Couple families
The proportion of young people living in the Shire will             without children                          51.4%                          40.3%                            38.8%                                 Family median
decline, as will the number of families with children. The               2021                                                                                                                                       weekly income
Shire’s population will continue to display a higher median                                                                                                                                                             2021
age than that of Queensland and Australia. Accordingly,
the prevalence of disability amongst Noosa Shire residents
is expected to increase. Older adults and people with
                                                                                                              $1,800                        $2,024                            $2,120
disabilities dominating future demand will reinforce the
need for accessible aquatic facilities, as well as warm-water
and rehabilitation spaces.                                       NDIS participants
                                                                       2025                                    1,232                       159,255                          739,413                                Projected NDIS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   participants in
               16%                                                                                                                                                                                                      2030*

               Forecast population growth
               until 2046 in Noosa Shire                                                                      ~1,279                     ~171,168                          ~785,527

               Higher                                           Australian Bureau of Statistics, https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/search-by-area

               Median age
                                                                National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), NDIS Participants by Local Government Area (30 June 2025), https://dataresearch.ndis.gov.au/explore-data/participant-demographics/
                                                                participants-by-local-government-area
                                                                National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), NDIS Quarterly Participant Data – Queensland (30 June 2025), https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/publications/quarterly-reports
               In 2046                                          National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), NDIS Quarterly Participant Data – Australia (30 June 2025), https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/publications/quarterly-reports
                                                                National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), NDIS Data and Insights – Data Explorer, https://dataresearch.ndis.gov.au/explore-data

                                                                *2030 NDIS participant estimates are indicative only. They are calculated by applying the 2025 NDIS participation rate (participants as at 30 June 2025) to published 2030
                                                                population projections. Actual participant numbers may differ due to policy, eligibility, demographics and scheme growth dynamics.


                                                                                                                    NOOSA SHIRE COUNCIL | AQUATIC FACILITIES STRATEGIC PLAN 2026-2036 | 19