Economic Needs Analysis Report · MCU15/0122

7.0 IMPACT ASSESSMENT
This Chapter assesses the economic benefits and impacts of the proposed medical centre on
the surrounding network of medical facilities and activity centres. A range of economic and
social benefits are anticipated as a result of the proposed development including:

This Chapter examines the anticipated economic and social benefits and impacts of the
proposed radiology and health centre on Goodchap Street, opposite the Noosa Private
Hospital. The relocation of Noosa Radiology to purpose built specialist health facilities and
the availability of space designed to suit medical and specialist practitioners will contribute to
the consolidation of health care services and improve accessibility and the provision of health
care for Noosa residents. The proposed development is expected to have significant net
economic and social benefits for the Noosa community, and would not undermine the
existing centres network.
Impact on Centres
Noosa Radiology has outgrown its existing premises and requires the employment of
additional technicians and staff to cater for the needs of its patients, including additional
consulting space. Noosa Radiology is currently located within the Noosa Professional Centre
to the south of the subject site, and not located within a designated activity centre.
There is no capacity for Noosa Radiology to expand within the existing Professional Centre
complex. Only one small (approx. 130m2) first floor vacancy was observed at the time of
inspection, however, it is noted that this tenancy is under offer. No other vacant available
space offering some 1,000m2 in contiguous floorspace was identified within the existing
centre locations.
Urban Economics notes the intention to incorporate Business and Employment precincts
within the Noosa Shire Business Centre, which could potentially include health care facilities,
surrounding the shopping centre/core retail precinct. A number of these sites have been
taken up or proposed for other uses including the Masters development and industrial
buildings on the western fringe of the centre. Potential sites that could incorporate the
proposed development are located in the south-eastern fringe of the precinct and not
currently available for development, with no road linkages.
Moreover, the Noosa Shire Business Centre is detached from the Noosa Private Hospital, and
therefore does not offer the level of convenience or accessibility for patients nor the potential
for the consolidation of health care facilities for Noosa Shire as that afforded by the subject
site.
The potential for up to some 1,500m2 of additional health care space on the subject site in
addition to the 1,000m2 required by Noosa Radiology is particularly targeted to other health
and medical specialists.



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