2019-12-11 SM Agenda - Item 1 - Attachment 2 - Final New Noosa Plan Part 1-3 and 5-6 Track Change version

     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.


     Transport

     The Noosa Transport Strategy includes principles for the short to medium term to prioritise the movement of people and goods
     rather than cars. Infrastructure and services that provide for pedestrians, cyclists, motor scooters and public transport will be the
     most immediate focus, as well as attention towards new and emerging solutions for the longer term. Transport options will take into
     account the needs of residents and employees as well as visitors.

 3.2.3 A connected, safe and happy community
     The Noosa community has a strong identity and sense of place. The community respects and appreciates its environment and has
     a strong commitment to the pursuit of environmental excellence, quality lifestyle and economic well­being. In response to this, the
     Social Strategy provides a framework to improve community wellbeing by addressing a range of opportunities and challenges.

     The focus is on creating communities that are:
           cohesive and resilient
           active and healthy
           accessible, diverse and affordable
           creative and informed.

     Noosa Shire is a ‘community of communities’, consisting of several discrete places, each with their own unique, special identity. A
     place​based approach to planning is intended to protect and preserve these unique, distinct and vibrant local areas. While the
     community of Noosa Shire shares many values and priorities, the on​the​ground approach to land use planning, infrastructure
     provision, urban design, community and economic development differs from place to place.

     In an effort to recognise place identity, and to maintain and enhance that identity through locally specific desired outcomes, the
     following local areas are identified:

           hinterland villages (including Boreen Point, Cooran, Kin Kin and Pomona)
           Cooroy
           Tewantin
           Noosaville
           Noosa Heads
           coastal communities (including Peregian Beach, Marcus Beach, Castaways Beach, Sunrise Beach and Sunshine Beach).

     The overall and more specific outcomes for each of these local areas are supported by Framework and Character Plans designed
     to identify unique opportunities for enhancement.


     Cohesive and resilient communities

     Communities across the Shire are enhanced by providing opportunities to bring people together. Mixed use activity centres,
     streetscapes and public spaces are designed to be comfortable, attractive, safe, easy to navigate and accessible. They are oriented
     towards pedestrians and cyclists and enhance community wellbeing and provide a sense of community. Buildings are designed to


**FINAL DRAFT ­ Post Consultation 2019**                                                                                             Page 4 of 14