2020-07-07 S&O Agenda - Item 1 - Attachment 1 - Go Noosa Initiatives Evaluation

Feedback:
The Christmas Go Noosa feedback survey was available on Council’s website and Facebook
page. The survey was available throughout the duration of the trials and closed two weeks
after the services ended. Hard copy versions of the survey were distributed by the bus driver
passenger assistant at Hastings Street. A total of 354 surveys were received (an increase
from 2018/19 – 318 surveys).
Sunbus drivers underwent Tourism Noosa’s “Welcome to Noosa” training and wore tropical
shirts. Feedback from both passengers and Sunbus was that wearing the shirts created a fun
holiday atmosphere.
Key highlights include:
   •   94% of survey respondents were either very satisfied/satisfied with their bus trip.
   •   Approximately 69% of respondents would have made their trip by car if the buses had
       not been free.
   •   The main reason people caught a free bus was to avoid traffic and congestion and
       because it is difficult to find a car park.
   •   Interestingly, 36% of survey respond indicated that the main barrier for them to catch
       a bus outside of the Go Noosa period is cost.
   •   68% of survey respondents were Noosa Shire residents.
   •   Some negative feedback was received regarding the use of rate payer funds on
       claimed tourist only benefits.

Sample of open responses:
   -   Loved the service. Bus drivers were great. They should be thanked for their patience,
       smiles and wearing cool Tshirts. Happy to pay this as part of my rates.

   -   The buses were fantastic, I'm going to miss the loop bus, I loved using it to get to the
       beach or work. So much less stressful than looking for a park at the beach. There
       were some awesome drivers that greeted everyone with a smile (a lady driver in the
       mornings on the Loop run was the best!). Thank you!!

   -   Absolutely brilliant service – thank you very much. The Noosa loop buses were an
       excellent addition and the bus drivers had obviously all done a ‘niceness’ course as
       they were all courteous, friendly, helpful and smiling. This was not always the case in
       previous years so it was a very pleasant change. Excellent environmental, tourist and
       feel good service. Well done Noosa council.

   -   This is a fantastic service and makes it possible for locals to continue to enjoy the
       beach and Hastings St during the busy tourist season

   -   I absolutely loved it. We sometimes parked at Quamby place and then again at Nancy
       Cato park. I have three kids and it made beach time so much easier. I cannot thank
       you enough for providing this service. It really made a huge difference.

   -   Sliplane didn’t work as people moved cones and parked anyway

   -   Waste of money for the rate payers, doesn't help traffic congestion to hasting street.

   -   Why should Noosa residents pay for a visitor orientated service? Shouldn't this be
       charged to those businesses (in the form of a levy) that benefit from visiting tourists
       and not the residents to whom they are an added inconvenience?