2018-08-07 P&E Agenda - Attachment 1 to Item 3 - Noosa Biosphere Reserve 10 Year Periodic Review

                                                                Noosa Biosphere Reserve - Periodic Review 2018




Property ownership comprises nearly 18% of GRP in Noosa. Accommodation is a major growth sector
in Noosa, driven by continuing high demand for holiday rental accommodation over peak holiday
periods, and new residents moving permanently to the region. Building approvals were up 26% in 2015-
16. Selected suburbs house prices (including Sunshine Beach at 26% per annum growth in 2016)
produced some of the highest annual increases in property values in Australia in 2016-17.

Rental, hiring and real estate services grew by 8% or $12.6 million in 2015-16. Jobs growth of 25% from
2011-16 in the Noosa Accommodation sector delivered 607 new jobs.

Growth in property values and increased availability of properties for short-term visitor accommodation
is resulting in a lack of affordable housing for lower and average income residents. As a result
residential rents in Noosa are much higher than other regional areas in Queensland. According to the
Queensland Government Statistician, median weekly rent for a three-bedroom house in Noosa in 2016
was $380, compared with $330 for the rest of Queensland. Projections show Noosa rents increasing
more steeply than the State average over the coming years.

Education & Health

These sectors are a good fit with the sustainability aspirations of this community and offer growth
potential in industry sectors that have high economic value and low environmental impact.

Education is a growing economic sector with a presence by two universities (USC and UCQ) as well as
an English language school catering for international students.

While the ageing population may imply that a shrinking workforce could produce less in gross economic
terms, it also indicates that there will be demand for a range of goods and services specific to an older
demographic. Our ageing population is looking to remain active and healthy for longer providing further
opportunities for economic growth in wellness and health services.

5.4   Benefit to local communities of economic activities

The NSC local government area has a low level of unemployment compared to the Queensland State
average (refer 5.1). Economic activity benefits the NBR community through access to employment
opportunities and improved standard of living. The community also enjoys a high standard of essential
infrastructure and services provided by all levels of government as a result of economic prosperity and
responsible financial management.

Economic growth also has some negative aspects such as the impact of tourists during peak periods
and the need to get the balance right between economic development, environmental sustainability and
resident needs in areas such as housing, transport and access to public areas and key facilities.

5.5   Methods of assessing effectiveness of actions or strategies

NSC has a long term corporate plan, an annual operational plan, and many key strategies and
association implementation plans. There is a quarterly reporting process to monitor implementation of
actions associated approved strategies and plans with many also including performance measures to
monitor effectiveness of the approach. Council also provides a detailed annual report on its activities
and financial performance.

NSC also regularly reviews available data on economic, environmental and social indicators and
analyses the latest trends. This data includes population growth, median individual and household
income, rates of employment and unemployment, and growth rates for various industries. The results of
these reports help to guide future strategies and action plans.

5.6   Community economic development initiatives

NSC’s Local Economic Plan 2016 provides the overall strategy for economic innovation and adaptation.
Funding is provided each year to deliver programs aimed at ensuring that the economy is robust,
diverse and innovative.




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