2020-07-16 SM Agenda - Item 1 - Attachment 2 - Final Noosa Plan 2020 Parts 1-3

 Key challenges

 The planning scheme will focus on a number of key challenges including:
       the changing nature of businesses including increased diversity in key sectors and provision for multi​purpose flexible work
       spaces
       the impacts of climate change on the local environment, economy and communities
       an aging population and meeting the housing, health, social and transport needs of an increasing proportion of
       elderly people
       diversity in housing choice to provide suitable residential accommodation for low income earners and key workers
       the need to keep pace with rapidly evolving transport systems and technology, plus meeting the transport needs of locals, key
       workers and visitors
       large populations to the south of Noosa Shire adding to demands on services, facilities, open space and car­parking areas during
       peak times.


 Economy

 Noosa’s current economy relies significantly on the tourism, retail, health and construction sectors. To ensure longer term sustainable
 and resilient economic growth it is desirable to broaden the economic structure of the local economy through industry diversification. The
 Local Economic Plan aims to do this via growth in the ‘smart’ industry sectors that offer high economic value and low environmental
 impact. These sectors include sustainable tourism, healthcare and wellness, the digital economy, environmental industries, rural
 enterprises, creative industries, professional services, and education and training. The South East Queensland Regional Plan 2017 sets
 a projected employment target of 11,000 new jobs across all sectors in Noosa Shire by 2041.

 Local economies need to be adaptable and responsive to global and regional fluctuations and changes. Fundamental to Noosa's shift
 towards a smart economy is the attraction and retention of skilled people, and the development of collaborative alliances and
 connections. This requires flexible accommodation and work arrangements focused on digital infrastructure and multi​use work spaces
 of various sizes and price points. It also requires suitably located and zoned employment lands to encourage growth of these sectors.
 This includes urban land at the Noosa Business Centre, Noosaville industrial areas, Noosa Junction, Peregian Beach and Cooroy.


 Climate change and emissions reduction

 The climate is already changing. We are experiencing increasing average temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and impacts on our
 natural environment. The Noosa community is transitioning to a zero emissions future that supports jobs, industries, communities and
 the environment. Noosa Council is committed to playing its part in the global effort to address climate change through adopting and
 promoting energy efficiency measures, encouraging renewable energy and low emissions technology, waste minimisation and carbon
 capture and storage, promoting 'infill development' in existing urban areas over urban sprawl and encouraging changes in transport to
 reduce private car use. Buildings are required to be designed in accordance with contemporary sustainability measures both in design
 and materials. Council is working with the community to prepare for, and adapt to, a changing climate through improving our
 understanding of what is changing, making use of best science and making sure land use, transport infrastructure and development
 decisions take climate change into consideration.


 Demographic change

 Noosa’s population is expected to continue to age and will require specific responses to meet the housing, transport, health and
 wellbeing needs of elderly residents. By 2041, the proportion of residents aged 65 years and over is predicted to rise to around 30 per
 cent. Hence there is a need for all forms of housing suitable for retirees and elderly people including residential care, retirement
 communities and small dwellings. Additional healthcare and community services for this age group are necessary and access to good
 transport is increasingly important. As the population ages and moves out of the workforce, new residents moving to Noosa Shire, as
 well as workers from outside of the Shire, are likely to fill employment gaps.
 An imbalance between relatively lower paying employment opportunities, such as retail and hospitality sectors, and relatively higher
 housing costs will cause specific problems for the Noosa Shire if not addressed. This is especially where employment with lower wages
 and increased shift work are concentrated in parts of the Shire where housing is at a premium ­ leading to increased travel costs for
 workers that need to travel far distances into Noosa. Additional housing for key workers in and near the activity centres in which they work
 is therefore important and encouraged through the planning scheme.
 Rapid population growth to the south of Noosa Shire, within a two hour drive, has the potential to greatly increase the number of day
 visitors attracted to Noosa Shire, and particularly to the coastal urban areas. The peak loads created as a consequence of large
 numbers of visitors generates dilemmas such as traffic flow, provision of car parking, waste collection and general amenity. It also puts
 pressure on local environmental values and the lifestyle of local residents.


NOOSA PLAN 2020                                                                                                                   Page 4 of 23