2016-10-11 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

SETTLEMENT
The Noosa Plan 2006 had strong community                Infrastructure                                                already anticipated and planned for this approximate
support for a defined limit on development,                                                                           population to be in place by 2016, so theoretically
                                                        Infrastructure and services have been put in place            there is capacity to support the same predicted 2036
particularly for coastal areas where potential for
                                                        including schools, sports and community facilities,           population under the current Plan. However, town




                                          T
decline in the quality of the environment, character
                                                        commercial and industrial centres, health facilities, roads   and village boundaries will continue to define the
and lifestyle was identified if development increased
                                                        and bridges, public transport, pedestrian networks            extent of land for development in Noosa and land for




                                        F
significantly. The Noosa Plan 2006 estimated a          and cycleways. Communities outside of Noosa Shire
population carrying capacity for Noosa Shire of                                                                       new “greenfield” development remains limited, so
                                                        also utilise services, facilities and employment and
                                                                                                                      other approaches such as “infill” development will




                                       A
61,350 people: 40,150 people on the coast and           recreation opportunities in Noosa. Noosa had almost
                                                                                                                      need to be considered and under-utilised land more
20,200 people in the hinterland and rural areas.        two million visitors in 2015, 56% of which were day
                                                                                                                      efficiently used.




                                      R
That population capacity was expected to be reached     trippers putting increased pressure on infrastructure,
by now, however population increase slowed and if       particularly road networks and car parking.                   Existing infrastructure networks for water and
                                                                                                                      sewerage, community facilities, sporting and open




                                     D
current levels remain, could be twenty years away.
Many remaining sites are perhaps those that are                                                                       space facilities are likely to be adequate to support
more complex to develop.                                Looking Forward                                               projected increases in population. However,
                                                                                                                      pressure on road networks and car parking is likely
Noosa’s development and prosperity has been             It is estimated Noosa Shire’s population will steadily        to continue from resident and visitor increases,
supported by significant investment by both the         increase over the next 10 years followed by more              particularly increases in day trippers.
private sector and Council. The insights and skills     minor increases between 2026 and 2036. Statistics
                                                                                                                      Noosa’s population is expected to continue to age.
of designers have contributed to Noosa’s distinct       predict a population of 61,940 by 2036, around
                                                                                                                      In 2036 the proportion of residents aged 65 years
character.                                              8000 more than today. The Noosa Plan 2006 had
                                                                                                                      and over will have risen to about 30%. Demand
                                                                                                                      will increase for housing, care and health facilities
                                                                                                                      for the elderly with access to transport, services
                                                                                                                      and community facilities. The Local Economic Plan
                                                                                                                      has identified opportunities for jobs growth and
                                                                                                                      diversity in health and wellness, digital economy,
                                                                                                                      environmental industries, rural enterprise, tourism,
                                                                                                                      professional services and creative industries.
                                                                                                                      However, as the population ages and moves out of
                                                                                                                      the workforce, new residents moving to Noosa as
                                                                                                                      well as workers from outside of Noosa Shire are
                                                                                                                      likely to fill employment gaps.