2021-08-10 Services & Organisation Committee Meeting Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                  10 AUGUST 2021


5     REPORTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE COMMITTEE


1     NOOSA NORTH SHORE FERRY UPDATE AND PROPOSED LEASE EXTENSION

Author            Manager Property, Clint Irwin
                  Corporate Services Department

Index             ECM/LEAS13/0040/59.05 Noosa River Ferry Services

Attachments       Nil


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Not applicable.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Manager Property to the Services & Organisation Committee
Meeting dated 10 August 2021 regarding the Noosa North Shore Ferry lease and
A.    Agree to award the remaining 2-year lease extension to Noosa North Shore Ferries Pty Ltd;
      and
B.    Agree to consider a further report at Council’s February 2022 round of Council meetings
      regarding proposed ferry service operating models, contractual arrangements and tender
      process for the purpose of proceeding to procure a new ferry service operation commencing
      1 July 2024.


REPORT
1.    Purpose
The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the Noosa North Shore Ferry service and
seek Council agreement to:
     Award the final extension to the current commercial lease for the service; and
     Consider a future update report regarding proposed operating models, contractual
      arrangements and the upcoming tender process for the service.
2.    Background
Council operates the Noosa North Shore Ferry service via a commercial lease agreement currently
held by Noosa North Shore Ferries Pty Ltd (NNSF). The service provides the primary vehicle
access to residents, workers and visitors to the Noosa North Shore. In April 2019 Council
considered a report recommending award of a lease extension provided for under the agreement.
Council decided to award a 3-year extension only at that time, rather the 5-year extension
recommended by staff, and resolved that: “the remaining balance 2 year extension period to be
further considered prior to the lease expiry to allow Council to investigate opportunities for digital
technology introduction”. The current lease agreement is now due to expire on 30 June 2022, with
the remaining two-year extension remaining in abeyance.
3.    Digital Technology Opportunities
Council staff and NNSF have been investigating options for the introduction of digital technologies,
noting that this investigation has been significantly disrupted by over 12 months due to the current
pandemic. The primary options under investigation include eftpos and online payment platforms.
A further option of joining the Linkt toll network, which operates SE Qld toll roads using vehicle

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