Brian O’Connor

1 BRIAN O’CONNOR Question 1: I inquire of the ‘Disappeared’ - the people of the Noosa Hinterland that Noosa Council through the new Town Plan says don’t exist and so I ask why does Noosa Council make its future planning on the basis that Pomona has a population of 1188 in 2016, and not the 2910 figure adopted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics; likewise, the council says Cooroy’s population is 2680 and not 3791, and so-on for all the communities of the hinterland? What is the basis of these population estimates by Council such that it rejects the ABS as the authentic source of population projections for the Hinterland? Response by Kim Rawlings, Director Environment & Sustainable Development: Brian thank you for this question, we know this issue is an important one to you which we have addressed on a number of occasions. The assertion in this question is not accurate. The response to this requires some detail explanation and this has been provided in writing previously and we will provide this again following tonight. The difference in population figures referred to relate to the figures that are used in the Local Government Infrastructure Plan (known as the LGIP) which forms part of the Planning Scheme. Under the Planning Act 2016 the LGIP is required to show population and dwelling data for what’s called a Priority Infrastructure Area as PIA. The PIA differs for instance from a town or locality boundary. The LGIP population data to inform the PIA is based on accurate lot by lot assessment though Unitywater’s sophisticated Demand Management and Tracking Tool data model. The process for preparing a LGIP is quite strictly set out and subject to Ministerial and independent review. The difference in population referred to in this question relates to the population in the PIA area, while using ABS data for an area that has different boundaries to the PIA. As a comparison the ABS collects census data by statistical areas and then reports this data through various different geographies or spatial groupings. To illustrate ABS has 2016 census data for Cooroy (State Suburb) being 3,791 persons, yet also provides 2016 census data for Cooroy (Urban Centre and Locality) of just 2,897 persons. They are both called Cooroy by the ABS but the boundaries differ. The difference in the figures referred simply relate to different geographic/spatial areas and not comparing apples with apples, one is an ABS spatial area and the other is a PIA spatial are. However what is important to understand is that Councils does take into account the population both inside and outside the PIA for the purposes of infrastructure planning in Pomona. Question 2: The Town Plan states clearly in Section 15.2 that the population estimates and projections it has adopted are used to determine the type, scale, location and timing of development and the desired standards of service the council delivers, and so I ask whether by adopting population numbers and projections for the Hinterland significantly lower than those of the ABS in its principal planning document, is Noosa Council set to deliver inadequate facilities and services, smaller in scale, than otherwise would have been the case had ABS data been the determining factor? Response by Kim Rawlings, Director Environment & Sustainable Development: As per the response to the previous question the answer is the same. Population both inside and outside the PIA is taken into account for infrastructure planning. This results in no difference in provision of “trunk” facilities and services as the “trunk” planning has included all residential and non-residential development inside and outside the PIA areas. It is important to note that “trunk” infrastructure in a LGIP is the higher order infrastructure i.e. Major roads/sports fields/open space etc. of a district and shire wide nature. The LGIP does not include “local” small local parks/pathways type infrastructure, this is planned for managed and determined through Council’s normal Asset Management and Capital Planning processes. The preparation process for the LGIP is strictly mandated by the State Legislation, Regulations and specifically the Minister’s Guidelines and Rules, under which the LGIPs, for both the current and new planning schemes, have undergone two extensive independent reviews followed by two Ministerial reviews prior to receiving final approval from the Minister allowing Council adoption. The rigour of these process ensure population figures used are appropriate and consistent with State population figures. To sum up this fairly lengthy response, as explained the assertion that incorrect population figures are being used for infrastructure planning is not correct.