2015-04-07 Item 2 - Attachment 1 - Pre feasibility Study of Electric Bus Routes

2.2        Demographic trends

2.2.1        Population and employment

According to the Queensland Government’s Statistician’s Office, Noosa Shire had
an estimated resident (2011) population of 51,038 people1. By 2016 this was
estimated to increase by 4,382 people with a total population of 55,419 people.
The population is forecast to increase to 61,824 by 2036. This represents an
average annual increase of 0.77% per annum over the 25 years from 2011 to
2036.
The forecast population will be housed in the existing urban settlements of Boreen
Point, Castaways Beach, Cooran, Cooroibah, Cooroy, Kin Kin, Marcus Beach,
Noosa Heads, Noosaville, Peregian Beach, Pomona, Sunrise Beach, Sunshine
Beach, Teewah and Tewantin.
In conjunction with this population growth, modest growth in employment is also
anticipated for Noosa. The total number of jobs in Noosa is expected to increase
from an estimated 20,586 in 2011 to 22,432 in 2021. This represents an average
annual increase of 0.86% per annum over the 20 years from 2011 to 2021.
According to the Noosa Plan 2006, this growth is expected to primarily be confined
to existing business centres, neighbourhood/village centres and mixed use areas
along Hastings Street and Gympie Terrace as well as at Sunshine Beach, Noosa
Junction, Noosaville, Tewantin and Cooroy.

In addition to the consolidation and infill of existing business centres and
commercial areas, a new Shire Business Centre off Eenie Creek Road in
Noosaville has been earmarked in the Noosa Plan 2006. Similarly, the South East
Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031 identifies the Noosa Business Centre
Technology and Industrial Hub as a key employment area and has recognised the
potential to expand science and technology opportunities in the area.

Modest population and employment growth, primarily located in existing urban
areas, is expected in Noosa over the next 20 years. Future development in Noosa
is expected to be characterised by the consolidation of existing residential and
commercial areas through infill development in order to maintain the economic
viability as well as the unique social and environmental features of the area.

2.2.2        Visitors

The Noosa region is one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations, with 2.2
million people visiting the region between September 2011 and September 20122.
Tourism is the single biggest contributor to Noosa’s local economy with
approximately $850 million being spent in the region for the year to September
20122. Domestic growth was predominantly from regional NSW, Melbourne and
Brisbane, whilst international growth was from New Zealand, UK, Germany and the
USA2. According to the Noosa Plan 2006, Noosa Heads and Noosaville will remain
the principal focus of visitor accommodation growth with some sites protected for
the exclusive use of visitor accommodation. In particular, Visitor Mixed Use Zones
have been identified at Hastings Street, Noosa Heads; Gympie Terrace,
Noosaville; Duke Street, Sunshine Beach; Heron Street, Peregian Beach and the
holiday accommodation centre at Beach Road, Noosa North Shore.

1
    http://www.qgso.qld.gov.au/subjects/demography/population-projections /
2
    www.visitnoosa.com.au/_literature_118490/End_of_year_report_2012




                            GHD | Feasibility Study of Electric Bus Routes in Noosa - Planning Report | 7