Sunshine Coast Aquatic Plan 2011-2026 - Sunshine Coast Council

3.1 Population profile
The population of the Sunshine Coast makes
up about 10 per cent of the population of South
East Queensland. The region has experienced,
and will continue to experience, levels of
population growth that exceed state and
national averages.
The population base is mostly concentrated
along the coast, from Golden Beach in the
south to Noosa Heads in the north. Urban
development to date has been largely
concentrated within 10 kilometres of the
coastline. However, this relative share of
population is likely to change over time until
2031, as some of these suburbs approach their
capacity, and ‘newer’ suburbs such as Sippy
Downs, Palmview and Caloundra South are
developed, increasing allowable densities and
hence population numbers.
The central coastal area of the region is also
the largest contributor to the Sunshine Coast
economy and home to the Maroochydore
Principal Activity Centre 2 . The major urban
areas from Pelican Waters in the south to
Noosa Heads in the north accommodate
Golden Beach, Caloundra, Kings Beach,
Kawana Waters, Maroochydore, Alexandra
Headlands, Mooloolaba, Coolum, Tewantin and
Noosa Heads which includes a relatively broad
mix of low, medium and high density residential
developments and a range of commercial and
community services. These areas are also
the major focus of visitor accommodation and
services in the region. In addition, a number of
the hinterland towns, such as Beerwah, Maleny,
Nambour, Yandina, Eumundi and Cooroy also
support thriving rural communities and play
an important role in defining the character and
identity of the Sunshine Coast.
Map 1: Sunshine Coast in context
Table 3: Sunshine Coast quick facts 34
Population (2008) 3
310,000 people
Total dwellings (2006) 122,811
Average growth (1986-
2006)
Overnight visitors 4
9-10,000 people per
year
3 million per year
2
Sunshine Coast Housing Needs Assessment
Background Study 2009
3
Population figures drawn from Department of
Infrastructure and Planning – Planning Information
and Forecasting Unit (PIFU) – Population and
housing fact sheet (August 2008)
4
Tourism figures drawn from Tourism Research
Australia – Tourism Profiles for Local Government
Areas in Regional Australia (March 2008)
Sunshine Coast Aquatic Plan 2011-2026 35