2015-03-03 Planning & Organisation Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                     3 MARCH 2015


Median mortgage repayments were lower in Noosa ($1,770 per month) compared to the
SEQ Region ($1,794) and the State ($1,850). However, median rents were higher in the
Shire ($1,445 per month) compared to the SEQ Region ($1,283) and the State ($1,300).

Median rents for flats & units in Noosa generally remained higher than the State between
2001 and 2006. Although from 2007 onwards, the median rent in Noosa was equal to, or
slightly below, that of the State (with the exception of 2014 where median rents were $340
and $330 per week respectively).

Median rents for houses in Noosa remained higher than the State between 2001 and 2014.
In 2014 the median rent for houses in the Shire was $400 per week compared to $350 per
week for the State. This 2014 difference of $50 per week was at its highest in that 13 year
period.

5. Connectedness

Not surprisingly car dependency is greater in areas lacking public transport with higher rates
of families. Cooroibah recorded the highest average number of motor vehicles per dwelling
(2.2) while Tewantin and Noosa Heads were 1.5, just lower than Noosaville and Doonan.

Internet connection is quite good in Noosa Shire with each locality having between 70% and
80% of dwellings broadband connectivity.

The rates of volunteering are slightly higher in the hinterland, followed by the beaches.
Overall Noosa Shire enjoys a slightly higher than average rate of volunteering compared to
the state or SEQ.

Compared to the State or the SEQ there is a higher proportion of residents in need of
assistance with a core activity. In terms of the nine localities there is strong correlation with
the age of residents. Tewantin has 862 residents in need of assistance but it also has the
highest proportion of residents over the age of 75 years.

6. Education

The AEC report shows that residents of Sunshine Beach to Peregian Beach and Noosa
Heads (over the age of 15 and no longer at school) were over 60% likely to have finished
year 12 or equivalent. Noosaville and Doonan had the next highest rate.

Compared to the state Noosa residents were as likely to have finished year 12 or above but
the figure is slightly higher for SEQ. Residents of Noosa Shire were less likely to have only
completed year 8 or below than the state or SEQ.

Of non-school qualification, certificate level qualifications are by far the most prevalent in all
localities across Noosa. 55.9% of respondents stated their highest non-school qualification
was certificate level. Sunshine Beach to Peregian Beach and Noosa Heads had the highest
rates of bachelor degrees and post graduate degrees. On the whole however the
percentage of bachelor and post graduate qualifications in Noosa Shire is lower than that of
the state or SEQ.

The most common fields of study were management and commerce, engineering and
related technologies and health.

Post school education options in Noosa Shire are somewhat limited. Not surprisingly, the
2011 census showed a relatively low proportion of Noosa Shire residents currently studying



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