2014-12-09 Infrastructure & Services Committee Agenda

INFRASTRUCTURE & SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                           9 DECEMBER 2014


ComLink Mobility has a sophisticated booking system that allows for time and cost efficient
scheduling of transport that is flexible and responsive to client needs. Using a central 1300
number clients can be assessed and then booked. At present ComLink have 81 staff, 200
volunteers and a fleet of 51 vehicles across six regional offices. The Sunshine Coast branch
is currently located in Birtinya.

Based on discussions with ComLink, points of interest include:
•    If a potential customer calls and a ComLink Client Service Officer learns that they have
     access to public transport, but not the knowledge of the location of the bus stop or
     timetables, ComLink will provide training on how to catch a bus (there is no fee for this
     service).
•    Once ComLink have an understanding of the clients they will provide them with
     referrals to suitable community organisations/ events and can cross promote Council
     and community activities as requested.
•    ComLink will refer customers who are not deemed to be transport disadvantaged and
     can afford a commercial service to Suncoast Cabs and TransLink services.
•    Potentially base the booking officer and vehicles at a community or Council location in
     Cooroy to reduce vehicle running costs and create stronger community connections
     and exposure.
The ComLink offer is recommended for acceptance as it represents better value and
improved service delivery compared to the current service.

4.   New Service Name

As part of this review, consideration has been given to the renaming of the two current
subsidised transport services. It is recommended that the Noosa Council’s proposed new
transport service be called Noosa Council Transport Assist as this name would provide a
common understanding of the service by the community.

Under section 70 of the Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Regulation 2005, the
word “Taxi” or “Cab” is not to be used for passenger services, unless the vehicle used is a
licensed taxi service.

Previous Council Consideration

•    Ordinary Meeting Minutes, 25 September 2014 – Defer Council Cabs Eligibility Criteria
     and Boreen Point –Tewantin Flexilink Service to future round to allow staff to
     investigate possibilities for partnering with existing community organisation and
     business who might want to be involved in the provision of subsidised transport.
•    Infrastructure & Services Committee Meeting, 16 September 2014 – Council Cabs
     Eligibility Criteria.
•    Infrastructure & Services Committee Meeting, 16 September 2014 – Boreen Point-
     Tewantin Flexilink Service.
•    Ordinary Meeting Minutes, 31 July 2014 – Defer Council Cabs to future round.
•    General Committee Meeting, 28 July 2014 - Further Report Council Cabs Review.
•    Infrastructure & Services Committee, 22 July 2014 - Council Cabs Review 2014.
•    Public Transport Levy adopted in 2014/15 Budget.
•    Ordinary Meeting Minutes, 6 March 2014 - Cessation of the Lake Macdonald to
     Cooroy Flexilink trial service




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