2021-03-02 Special Meeting Agenda

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA                                                                2 MARCH 2021


7.    Government Responses to events in the COVID-19 environment
Recent government decisions highlight different perspectives regarding events in the COVID
environment. Examples include:
•     On 18 February 2021, the media reported the 5 day Byron Bay Bluesfest will proceed over the
      Easter long weekend after the event’s COVID Safe Plan was approved by the New South
      Wales State Government. The organiser indicates the event will operate at reduced capacity
      and will proceed given the current COVID situation in New South Wales. Media reporting on
      this issue is included in Attachment 1.
•     On 3 February 2021, Ballina Shire Council voted against a proposal to hold a major surf contest
      at Lennox Heads. While reasons given for refusal included overcrowding, loss of amenity,
      commercial operations in a surfing reserve, lack of a formal application, proper process and
      community consultation the proposal was also rejected due to the ‘unacceptable risk that the
      event presents to our community due to Covid’. More information is included in the link below
      https://ballina.nsw.gov.au/files/Extraordinary-minutes---3-February-2021.pdf. Media reporting
      on this issue is included in Attachment 1.


8.    Options
A number of options are available to Council to consider with respect to its current policy position on
events. The options, and opportunities and risks associated with each are outlined below.

Option 1 - Allowing Category 1 – 3 events to proceed

Council allows Category 1 – 3 events to proceed in accordance with State Framework on community
land in Noosa Shire

This option involves Council allowing Category 1 – 3 events (fewer than 500 participants to more
than 10,000 participants to proceed on community land in Noosa Shire in accordance with the State
Framework and a COVID Safe Event Plan, but without insurance coverage for COVID-19, and
subject to Council’s normal permit application assessment and approval process.

Opportunities
•   Economic boost for some sectors of the local economy.
•   Potential for well managed COVID safe ‘large’ events to proceed.
•   Aligns Council’s approach with the State Government Framework and avoids questioning from
    some stakeholders as to why Council has an alternative position.
•   Provides opportunities for many of Noosa’s best known events to continue.
•   Reinforces that Noosa is ‘open’ for business, event tourism etc.
•   Approval of the COVID Safe Event Plan and compliance is the responsibility of the State.
•   Community acceptance is likely to be higher if virus transmission is low.

Risks
•     Congregations of large numbers of people present a higher risk of COVID-19 transmission as
      per consistent Queensland Health messaging.
•     Significant financial and reputational risk for businesses and tourism if a COVID-19 outbreak
      occurs prompting a second wave lockdown.
•     Council could be exposed to reputational damage and financial risk for COVID related litigation
      as a result of inadequate or no event organiser insurance coverage. Council’s defence of
      claims will be funded by the ratepayer.
•     If the event is a ‘free range’ event without defined seating and allocated areas particularly for
      onlookers the event is unlikely to adhere to approved COVID Safe Event Management Plans.

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