We tend to think of tourism as our most important industry, but recent statistics posted on Noosa Council’s website show the changes in our important industries in recent years. Accommodation and Food Services has slipped to our seventh largest industry sector by percentage of our economy at 6.10%, while Healthcare and Social Assistance has risen to our third most important industry at 7.82%. Leading the table is Construction at 19.44% followed by Rental, Hire and Real Estate Services at 7.96%. Our population demographics are also evolving.
Percentage of older residents as per 2021 Census
Older workers and pre-retirees aged 50-59: 15.2%
Empty nesters and retirees aged 60-69:16.2%
Seniors aged 70-84: 16.9%
Elderly aged 85 or over: 2.9%
Total: 51.2% of our population is over 50 as opposed to the state average of 38.8%
For our aging resident population, the healthcare industry is a very important sector and its value to the local economy has risen by $81 million in the past five years, second only to Construction, which has seen a $134 million rise. Interestingly, Accommodation and Food Services has seen a reduction of $51 million in value to the shire. Of course, tourism is still a major industry, but its subsidy of $2.5 million annually from council is based on its past performance. Following is a summary of services that meet the healthcare needs of both our residents and visitors to the shire.
Noosa Hospital
Central to our healthcare industry is Noosa Hospital, which opened 25 years ago. Twenty years ago, it added an Intensive Care Unit, which allowed it to provide a higher level of care to patients. With 92 beds and a 24/7 Emergency Department, it serves both public and private patients in need of urgent care for accidents and general health issues. An acute medical and surgical facility, the hospital provides a comprehensive range of inpatient and day services across a wide range of specialties, including Breast and Endocrine, Cardiology, Colorectal Surgery, Gastroenterology, General Surgery, Orthopaedics, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Urology and Vascular. Many of the region’s top specialists have consulting rooms at the hospital.
General medical practices
Many general practitioners (GPs) operate in the shire, providing standard medical care, diagnosis and treatment of ailments, preventive care, prescriptions, referrals, and general health advice. The coast has many medical clinics with multiple doctors, while the hinterland town of Cooroy has three such clinics, a rehabilitation facility, pathology collection services, and a medical imaging facility, along with many alternative health practitioners.
Allied health services
A variety of allied health professionals offer their services, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, podiatrists, dietitians, and speech therapists. Genesis Care, Icon Group, and Noosa Radiology all provide comprehensive medical imagery for local practitioners and their patients, and offer advanced diagnostic technology with specialist reporting.
Mental health services
Access to mental health practitioners, counsellors, and psychologists means professional support for various mental health concerns. This includes therapy sessions for individuals, couples’ counselling, family therapy and support for parents.
Community health services
Programs like health education, maternal and child health services, and family support are available through local health organizations, including Noosa Community Health Centre.
Rehabilitation services
Noosa Hospital offers rehabilitation with multidisciplinary patient-focused care to assist in recovery after illness or surgery. In Cooroy, Eden Private Hospital has six rehabilitation specialists covering such fields as orthopaedic, cardiac, neurological, oncology, trauma, pain management and Parkinsons.
Nursing and aged care services
Home nursing services and aged care facilities cater to the elderly and those needing ongoing advanced care. These include Ozcare, Arcare, BlueCare, and Calvary. NoosaCare operates both Carramar on the coast and Kabara in Cooroy.
Disability services
Approved NDIS providers include Envigor, Epic Assist, and Point Care. Sunshine Butterflies, with long local connections, provides a broad range of daily recreational, educational and life skills programs for individuals of all ages and abilities.
Dental services
Many dental clinics provide general and specialized dental care, including general dentistry, orthodontics, cosmetic work, teeth whitening, veneers, restorative dentistry, dental Implants, crowns and bridges.
Alternative therapies
Complementary health services including acupuncture, chiropractic, and naturopathy are also available for those seeking alternative treatment options.
In my 25 years in the shire, I’ve been fortunate enough to have received cutting-edge treatment at Noosa Hospital and with many other health service providers for serious cardiovascular and oncology issues. My experiences of the many facets of healthcare here, from first responders to advanced medical services, have always exceeded my expectations. Each time, I have been impressed by both the range of high-quality services and the dedication and professional competence of those delivering these services.
Our high-quality healthcare services will become even more vital to the shire as our population ages further. We need to recognise this and council must do more to support and encourage the sector.
