Attachment 5 - Economic Needs Analysis

                                                       Rufous St Master Plan Commercial Development




1       INTRODUCTION

David Thomas (Consultant) has been requested by the Noosa Council to prepare this Economic
Needs Analysis for the proposed Digital Hub/IT Enterprises at Peregian Beach.

The proposed two level building and related car parking is within the Community Services Zone and
the Open Space Recreation Zone of the Noosa Plan 2006 and is therefore impact assessable
requiring public notification.

This assessment is in two parts, one part looks at the proposal of a Digital Hub and part two a more
traditional analysis of the creation of additional commercial space within the Peregian Beach
business precinct for IT enterprises.

The reason for this methodology is that the concept of a Digital Hub is an emerging way of doing
business strongly supported by all levels of government Federal/State/Regional through the
provision of direct grant funds, the building also includes space for existing IT enterprise(s) to locate
in the Peregian Beach area.

In undertaking the task a number of site visits have occurred including the proposed site but also
similar operations within the Noosa Shire, the Sunshine Coast Region and Melbourne.

Potential Internet providers have been contacted to ensure adequate speeds will be available to the
site.

Planning advice where appropriate was provided by Adamson Town Planning.

A range of discussions have been held with potential clients to determine their needs and some
quantitative research completed to elicit population growth rates etc.