2021-12-13 GC Agenda - Item 8 -Attachment 1 - Housing Needs Assessment

Executive Summary
“We are facing a housing emergency that is having an impact on the economy, on our businesses
      and affecting the liveability of our communities” Mayor Clare Stewart 19 July 2021.
In 2021 Noosa Shire Council has regarded the Shire as being gripped by a housing crisis, which is
having a significant social and economic impact on the community.
Metropolitan and regional communities across Australia have been reporting a lack of affordable
housing, a shortage of permanent rental vacancies and struggles for first home buyers and sole
income households particularly, in securing appropriate housing. Regional communities are
experiencing difficulties in attracting and retaining key workers where permanent accommodation is
lacking and holiday and lifestyle destinations, like Noosa, are acutely affected.
Noosa Shire has a finite supply of developable land however by 2041, development needs to cater
for around 6,400 more dwellings than existed at the 2016 census. Future housing will largely be
provided through 'infill' development within existing residential areas, on well located, under-utilised
land, and within town centres in a mixed-use format.
In July 2020 Noosa Council adopted a new planning scheme (Noosa Plan 2020). This plan includes
a strategic intent for housing to meet diverse needs of the community. It recognizes that different
housing types and styles are needed to provide choices, ensuring people’s housing needs are
catered for, regardless of age and mobility, household size and budget. By providing housing choice
in each local area, a greater mix of people and ages are accommodated and this can provide a more
diverse community.
Around 80% of housing in the Shire is separate houses comprising three or more bedrooms.
Residential units and communal living such as retirement and aged care make up the remainder. It
is projected that by 2041 some 30% of the total housing stock should be multi-unit housing styles,
particularly small one and two bedroom dwellings to cater for smaller households.
In March 2021 Noosa Council resolved to update the Noosa Council 2017 Housing Needs
Assessment prepared by Briggs & Mortar Pty Ltd, with regard to the provisions of Noosa Plan 2020
and the current local housing situation and trends.
This review has confirmed:
•     The demand for residential properties in Noosa Shire is very high;
•     Persons not already owning property, will find it difficult to enter the market in Noosa Shire;
•     The availability of homes for permanent rentals has diminished and weekly rents increased
      significantly in the last few years;
•     Incomes and wages for jobs located within Noosa Shire are not keeping up with the rising cost
      of accommodation or commuting;
•     Businesses and other workplaces are experiencing difficulty attracting and retaining
      employees who cannot afford to live in the area, this has in instances resulted in businesses
      down-scaling or even closing;
•     COVID-19 and the Royal Commission have impacted the aged care and retirement sector and
      operators have reduced capacity to invest in capital works, including construction of new
      developments for which they already have approvals;
•     The opportunities for additional social housing are limited and further action or intervention by
      Council is likely to be necessary before it is delivered.




Noosa Housing Needs Assessment 2021                                                              Page 7