2018-07-16 General Committee Meeting Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                  16 JULY 2018


Corporate Plan Theme 3: The Noosa Economy
“Our economy is diverse and resilient”
Key achievements as we work towards our long term goal include:
 The construction of the Peregian Beach
   Digital Hub was completed. Council was
   successful in obtaining $1 million of
   funding from the State Government and
   we are awaiting advice from the
   Commonwealth Government on $2.5M for
   Stage 3.     Following an EOI process,
   tenant and co-workers have been
   identified and the Hub now has its first
   occupants with more to come over the
   coming weeks. Council has also secured
   a Digital Hub Director who has excellent
   industry experience.
 Council adopted an Economic Development Grants Policy in November 2017 and provided
   grants in support of programs that will achieve the outcomes of the Local Economic Plan.
 Council continued to work closely with Tourism Noosa and entered into a new funding
   agreement which provides funding for 3 years with a further 2-year option. Council worked
   closely with Tourism Noosa on the development of its Noosa Tourism Strategy 2017 - 2022.
   This strategy includes a focus on “value over volume” in relation to tourism so that the focus
   is on yield per visitor rather than simply more visitor numbers. As a separate but related
   issue, the Council adopted the Noosa Main Beach Events Policy which prescribed a limit on
   the number of events to be held annually on Noosa Main Beach.
 Council and Tourism Noosa worked together to establish a Sustainable Tourism Stakeholder
   Reference Group. This brings together approximately 15 different groups from the business,
   community and environmental sectors to consider challenges associated with how Noosa can
   manage the success it has achieved in becoming a premier tourism destination. The Group
   met 3 times during 2017/18 and will continue to meet in the coming months.
 Council continued to work closely with Regional Development Australia (Sunshine Coast) on
   a range of projects including a successful entrepreneurship program.
 Council continued an audit of business signage across the shire and also provided
   information to the operators while the audit was being undertaken.
 Council awarded management rights for the Cooroy RV Stopover to the Cooroy Chamber of
   Commerce for a 3-year term. The ongoing activation of the Cooroy RV Stopover will assist
   the local Cooroy economy.
 Council worked with the private sector to assist with the establishment of Innovate Noosa.
   This is part of a regional program that attracted significant funding from Advance Queensland
   to develop innovation on the Sunshine Coast. Council supported a number of networking
   events to promote this initiative.
 Council continued to successfully implement its Local Economic Plan. Unemployment rates
   in Noosa continue to be at historic lows – Noosa 4.5%, compared to the balance of the
   Sunshine Coast, 5.1% and Queensland, 6.0%.
 Council co-funded an Innovation Masterclass for 14 local businesses to develop local
   business capacity.
 Council staff worked closely with the Noosa Junction Association throughout 2017/18
   assisting them with the implementation of their plan to regenerate the Junction. A number of
   joint meetings were facilitated with stakeholders regarding the planning scheme.

                                                                                  Page 35 of 41