Development Assessment Report · MCU18/0019

PROJECT URBAN – 17365                                                                     January 2018

In determining demand it is also important to give consideration to the underlying demographic
profile of the Noosa Community. On 3 March 2015, Council’s strategic land use planning section
submitted a report to Council, which included up to date demographic data on Noosa Shire.

The following points are taken from the report:
    Noosa is aging at a faster rate than the rest of Queensland, with even the ‘youngest’
        suburb having a median age of 42.3 years. This is significantly higher than the Queensland
        average of 36.0 years, and the SEQ’s average of 38.1 years.
    The 65+years age group has grown from 16.5% in 1991 to 19.3% in 2011.
    By 2036 this is expected to grow to 30% with almost a third of the shire’s population to
        fall into the 65yrs+ age group.

Most significant to note, is the fact that while projected population estimates have remained
stable, the rate at which Noosa is aging has far exceeded state averages. As identified in Council’s
report, it is now expected that 30% of the approximately 60,000 people expected to be living in
Noosa Shire in 2036, will be aged 65 years and over. If this was not taken into account by
previous projection estimates then demand may be ever higher that the Briggs & Mortar report
indicates.

Shortfall

Combined (existing and proposed) there are 854 approved aged care beds in Noosa Shire. This
indicates a shortfall of 251 beds by 2026 (projected demand for 1,105 beds less 854 existing
beds).

It is important to note that the proposed Arcare facility has already been allocated 90 bed
licences from the Federal Government. Arcare was granted the right to develop the 90 places in
the 2015 Aged Care Approvals Round, wherein the Federal Government identified a requirement
for places to meet demand in the Noosaville SA2, based upon its population and need profiling.
The fact that the government identified it needs to fund subsidised aged care places in this
location is a further demonstration of the requirement for a facility in the Noosaville environs.

Obtaining the bed licenses involves a competitive assessment process by the Federal
Government. Places are only allocated to applicants that demonstrate they best meet the needs
of the aged community in an aged care planning region. The assessment is based on two main
criterion. The first is based on national demographic data of elderly residents to validate the
places needed. The second is based on Arcare’s capacity, capability and quality of residences and
care. Arcare has achieved this benchmark and is excited to be able to offer the highest standard
of care to the Noosa community.

Land Availability

There are a very few number of sites both suitable, and available, for retirement villages and aged
care facilities across Noosa Shire. Both the HRP report and Council have previously acknowledged
that the number of suitable sites is extremely low and that this is a huge constraint to providing
high quality aged care.

DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT REPORT                                                            Page 29 of 34
Material Change of Use – Aged Care Facility
52 - 62 Goodchap Street and 3 - 11 Val Crescent
Noosaville Qld 4566