University to study important Noosa issues ahead of vote
THE University of the Sunshine Coast is conducting a survey to determine what issues are important to Noosa residents ahead of the 9 March referendum on whether to de-amalgamate from Sunshine Coast Regional Council.
USC Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engagement) Professor Mike Hefferan said USC researchers were currently conducting phone interviews of about 400 people, selected at random in Noosa postcodes.
Professor Hefferan said the results would be made available to the public by early February.
"The referendum is an important event," he said. "USC, as our region's university, would like to advance the public debate and use its independent and impartial position to ensure the community is well-informed in making a decision.
"The principal objective is to identify what appear to be the issues that the community finds most important and whether they believe that they have adequate information now to arrive at their decision."
The survey asks people if they have made up their mind, whether they think they have enough information on the matter, and what big issues they will consider when making a decision, among other questions.
The survey will not ask people how they will vote.
