2014-06-17 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                    17 JUNE 2014


     (c)   The Policy states that Council reserves the right at its absolute discretion not to offer
           any permit having given sufficient consideration to the application on the community
           amenity and commercial businesses.
     (d)   The area is highly utilised by the community for recreation purposes and at times is
           used for major events throughout the year.

Surf Dancing Main Beach –
Council received one application for this activity which was from the existing permit holder. The
applicant demonstrated sufficient competence across the criteria and is recommended to be
offered a further permit. There have been no complaints from the community regarding the
existing permit holder over the previous permit term.

Kitesurfing Noosa Rivermouth –
Council received one application for this activity which was from the existing permit holder. The
applicant demonstrated sufficient competence across the criteria and is recommended to be
offered a further permit. There have been no complaints from the community regarding the
existing permit holder over the previous permit term.


Previous Council Consideration

At the Ordinary Meeting 1 May 2014:That Council note the report by Coordinator Property and
Land Management to the General Committee Meeting dated 28 April 2014 and:

A. Repeal the Commercial Use of Community Land Policy that transferred to the Noosa Council
from the Sunshine Coast Regional Council under the Local Government (De-amalgamation
Implementation) Regulation; and

B. Approve the Commercial Use of Community Land Policy as attached to the report by
Coordinator Property and Land Management to the General Committee Meeting dated 28 April
2014 with dot point 5, under the heading “Guiding Principles”, to be amended to read – “A permit
holder may only be granted a maximum of two permits from the range available to reduce the
likelihood of a monopolistic permit environment while providing the opportunity for added local
employment”.

Finance & Risk

The costs that will be incurred in the administration of these permits are accommodated in
Council’s operational budget (predominately as labour costs) within the Corporate Services
Department.

Commercial High Use Permits including the EOI process are a high profile part of Council’s land
management. The activity locations are highly desirable community land parcels which are
extremely well patronised by tourists and locals and the activities have the potential to conflict
with commercial businesses with higher overheads operating similar services. The decision not
to award permits due to respondent conduct which conflicts with the EOI Process Terms is an
important consideration for Council.

The risk of issuing a permit when Council is aware of a breach to the EOI process may risk
Council’s reputation and public image. Commercial High Use Permits are highly competitive and
subject to complaints, driven by existing permit holders and other competitors trying to enter the
market.

History shows that competitors have taken complaints to the CMC and Ombudsman for
investigation regarding the transparency and rigour of the permit process.


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