2020-07-10 SM Agenda - Item 3 - Attachment 1 - Noosa Council 2020-21 Budget Document

Revenue Statement - 2020/21


APPENDIX 1: TOURISM AND ECONOMIC LEVY
OVERALL PLAN
1.    Special Rate for Economic Development and Tourism Promotion in the Noosa Shire
Noosa Council has adopted a Noosa Local Economic Plan and is focused on its implementation
through projects and initiatives to grow the Noosa economy. Council will undertake a range of
projects in 2020/21 to implement the Plan including in particular its ongoing commitment to the
Noosa Tourism sector of the economy given the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourism is a
major economic driver and Council is committed to its ongoing sustainability and appropriate level
of support including promotion and marketing.

2.    The Rateable Land to Which the Special Rate Applies
Council has agreed to fund the implementation of the Noosa Local Economic Plan. This
implementation includes the ongoing funding of the promotion of tourism and related activities in
addition to the implementation of other projects that will assist in delivering the strategies identified
in the Noosa Local Economic Plan.
Council has agreed to fund this expenditure through the levying of a special rate for the 2020/21
financial year upon all rateable land within the shire which has been categorised as Transitory
Accommodation – Urban (PPR and not PPR), Transitory Accommodation – Rural (PPR and not
PPR), Commercial and Industrial – Urban and Commercial and Industrial – Rural which will receive
a benefit from the service, facility or activity defined below.
Commercial and Industrial properties are properties included in Differential General Rate Categories
2, 3, 4, 20, 21 and 22.
Transitory accommodation is defined as either whole units or dwellings (or a specific room or rooms
within a dwelling), included in differential general rate categories 1, 5 to 15 inclusive, 23 and 24 which
are offered for short term residential accommodation rental at any time during the 2020/21 financial
year. Online listings or other publicly available rental listings showing per night or per week rates will
constitute evidence of the property being offered for short-term rental.
The urban classification shall apply to all properties in the localities of Noosa Heads, Noosaville,
Tewantin, Sunshine Beach, Sunrise Beach, Marcus Beach, Peregian Beach and Castaways Beach.
Properties in all other localities shall be categorised as rural.

3.    Service, facility or activity
The service, facility or activity for which the rate is levied is the carrying out of implementation of the
Noosa Local Economic Plan which includes projects and activities that are aimed at growing the
Noosa economy. This includes projects and activities that focus on diversifying the Noosa Economy
but also continuing with a key focus on tourism promotion strategies. The projects and activities
may be implemented by Council and / or approved external agencies.

4.    The Estimated Cost of Implementing the Overall Plan
The estimated cost of carrying out the overall plan is $3 million in the 2020/21 financial year. Of the
total amount collected under this special rate, funds will be provided to Tourism Noosa under the
terms of a funding deed between Tourism Noosa and Council in order that the promotion of tourism
and related activities for the Noosa region can occur. Other funds collected under this special rate
will be used for projects and activities that assist with the carrying out of implementation of the Noosa
Local Economic Plan.

5.    Estimated Time for Implementing the Overall Plan
The estimated time for carrying out the overall plan is by 30 June 2021. It is anticipated that a levy
will be made in future years as the service, facility and activities are on-going programs.



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