2022-06-28 Special Meeting Agenda

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA                                                                  28 JUNE 2022

 Priority                Budget     Outcome
                        Amended
 Parks, Playgrounds        No       •   $261k (4.0%) increase to parks and playgrounds maintenance
 and Open Space                         already included in the draft budget for improved maintenance
                                        services to Council open space and infrastructure.
 Tourism          and      Yes      •   Additional $125k each additional funding for Council’s Economic
 Economic                               Development branch and Tourism Noosa projects.
 Development
6     Combined Consultation Outcomes – Rates, Fees and Charges
Whilst there was a range of community feedback on different elements of Council’s rates, levies as
well as fees and charges pricing, the predominant number of responses received was in relation to
transitory accommodation (in particular for resort-style facilities with on-site managers). 10% of
consultation respondents identified concerns regarding transitory accommodation charges.

The budget feedback related to the combined ratepayer impacts of the new general rating transitory
category established in the 2021/22 budget combined with the new proposed fees under the Short
Stay Local Law to be introduced in 2022/23.

In also reviewing the status of the Short Stay Local Law implementation, Council has noted that:
• Officers have recently received a significant influx in applications due to public anticipation that
    application fees will be introduced from 1 July;
• This influx is generating a backlog as officers progress through the applications;
• Officers will be undertaking a 12 month implementation review of the new Local Law in February
    2023. This will provide more information on the costs associated with the administering the Local
    Law.
As a result, it has been proposed that the budget be amended to delay the introduction of any
renewal fees until after the completion of the 12 month review. Application fees will still apply from 1
July.

Previous Council Consideration
The 2021/22 draft budget feedback was adopted by Council resolution on 16 June 2021 (Ref. Special
Meeting Minutes, 16 June 2021, Item 1, Page 5)
The 2021/22 original budget was adopted by Council resolution on 30 June 2021 (Ref. Special
Meeting Minutes, 30 June 2021, Item 3, Page 3.
The 2022/23 budget commencement scene setting report was adopted by Council resolution on 30
March 2022 (Ref. Special Meeting Minutes, 30 March 2022, Item 1, Page 3).
The 2022/23 draft budget for consultation was adopted by Council resolution on 20 May 2022 (Ref.
Special Meeting Minutes, 20 May 2022, Item 1, Page 3).

Finance
The budget consultation has resulted in a number of changes to the draft 2022/23 budget. These
changes have been accommodated whilst still maintaining Council’s financial sustainability through
the delivery of an operating surplus and meeting all key financial sustainability ratio targets in line
with Council’s Financial Sustainability Policy.
Minor costs have been incurred to date to undertake the budget engagement process and have been
absorbed in the current operating budget.




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