Economic Needs Analysis Report · MCU15/0122

The Catchment Area is projected to increase to some 61,000 persons in 23,400 households
between 2015 and 2031; an additional 7,400 persons and 3,200 households, representing a
growth of approximately 0.8% p.a. over this period.

It is well documented that Australia’s ageing population will place pressure on the need for
health services and facilities. The 2015 Intergenerational Report projects that average
government spending on health will increase from approximately $2,830 per person in 2015
to an equivalent $6,460 by 2055 (in today’s dollars), largely driven by our ageing population.

TABLE 4.2 outlines the anticipated increase in the quantum and proportion of persons aged
over 65 within the Catchment Area compared to Queensland, demonstrating the particularly
high proportion of older persons within the Catchment Area.

        TABLE 4.2: Persons Aged 65+
                           2011        2016       2021         2026        2031        2036
  No. Catchment Area       9,822      12,256     14,211       15,890      17,361      18,516
  % Catchment Area         19.2%       22.1%      24.3%       26.7%       28.4%       29.9%
  No. QLD                 579,758     718,901    869,141    1,041,911   1,219,726   1,402,641
  % QLD                    13.0%       14.5%      15.9%       17.3%       18.6%       19.8%
       Source: QGSO


Analysis of need for aged care places within SEQ undertaken by Urban Economics similarly
identified the growth in the number of aged persons within Noosa. The Noosa Hinterland SA2
in particular was identified as potentially adding an additional 3,125 persons aged over 70
between 2016 and 2031, generating demand for some 390 new residential and home care
places and for health and wellbeing facilities to cater to the population.

4.3     DEMOGRAPHIC & SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS

The results of the 2011 ABS Population and Household Census (the most recent Census for
which data is available) have been utilised to examine the demographic and socio-economic
characteristics of the Trade Area population and are summarised in TABLE 4.3. The key
characteristics of the Trade Area population and implications are summarised below with
comparisons made with the Sunshine Coast (SA4) and Queensland (QLD) averages. As the
Noosa Council LGA comprised part of the Sunshine Coast LGA at the time of the Census, the
Noosa Council has been defined by the SA2s of Noosa Hinterland, Noosa Heads, Noosaville,
Peregian, Sunshine Beach and Tewantin.

     The Catchment Area was characterised by a distinctly older population aged 60+,
      indicative of the area’s popularity for retirees and the aged, and a heightened
      propensity for access to health facilities.



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