2017-06-29 Special Meeting Agenda

Revenue Statement - 2017/18


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 implementing that plan
with projects and initiatives to grow the Noosa economy. The Council will undertake a range of
projects in 2017/18 to implement the Noosa Local Economic Plan including its ongoing commitment
to the Noosa Tourism sector of our economy. Tourism is a major economic driver of the Noosa
economy and Council is committed to its ongoing sustainability and appropriate promotion and
marketing via Tourism Noosa.

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 and
also the implementation of other projects that will assist in delivering the strategies identified in the
Noosa Local Economic Plan. The Council has agreed to fund this expenditure through the levying
of a special rate for the 2017/18 financial year upon all rateable land within the shire which has been
categorised as Transitory Accommodation – Urban, Transitory Accommodation - Rural, 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, 24, 25 and 26.
Transitory accommodation is defined as properties, either whole units or dwellings or a specific room
or rooms within a unit or dwelling, included in Differential General Rate Categories 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,
12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 27 and 28 which are offered for short term residential rental, being
rental for a period of less than 28 days, at any time during the 2017/18 financial year. Internet 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 $2,793,000 in the 2017/18 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 Noosa Shire Council in order that Tourism
Noosa can undertake promotion of tourism and related activities for the Noosa region. 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 2018. 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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