2021-03-02 Special Meeting Agenda

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA                                                                  2 MARCH 2021


12.   Conclusion
Recent virus outbreaks reinforce the COVID environment is dynamic and the recent lull in infections
reflects only the successful minimisation of the virus and not a permanent victory. As the recent
Christmas COVID experience shows, a few cases in one localised area can rapidly escalate into a
broader COVID outbreak necessitating interstate border closures, lockdowns and movement
restrictions.

The next COVID milestone that provides some hope to Australians is the roll out of the vaccine which
commenced in February 2021. However, the program will take months to complete and its success
is reliant on factors such as uptake by the populace and effectiveness against new virus strains.

An absence of large events has not had a critical impact on Noosa’s economic and tourism fortunes.
Noosa has coped remarkably well during the COVID pandemic aided by an enviable reputation,
interstate visitors escaping repeat lockdowns and dress circle proximity to the south east
Queensland drive market. Noosa’s reputation and brand are critical to the area’s success and there
is much to lose if a COVID outbreak occurs.

Notwithstanding the effectiveness of the State’s COVID Safe Event Framework and recent relaxed
restrictions upon attendance at events, Council is not obligated to follow suit and relax its position.
Council ultimately provides the permit approval for an event (or category of events) and it may refuse
to issue permits if not satisfied the potential short term social and economic benefits will outweigh
the potential adverse health, social and longer term consequences of the event.

While the State has done a commendable job in responding to COVID outbreaks there are likely to
be many in the community who won’t want the State’s reactive response to be tested and support
the ‘prevention is better than cure’ approach, given a State response can lead to necessary
lockdowns and restrictions. Any proposal for Council to move away from its current localised risk
based approach relating to unique risk factors such as demographic profile and reputation and brand
requires careful consideration of the risks and benefits posed of such action.

Council should not rely on the State to cancel events as COVID risk develops. The State may order
lockdowns if a COVID threat escalates and that action will cancel a simultaneous event. However, it
is fatuous for Council to rely on the State to take action relieving Council of the need to cancel a
permit as the State views COVID risk through its own specific lens. There are too many variables at
play and anticipating all of the scenarios and the State’s reaction is futile.

Council cannot issue a permit with a condition allowing it to cancel if it isn’t satisfied COVID risk will
be managed. Local Law No.1 requires a specific process to be observed for permit cancellations
and this process would need to commence at least 2 months prior to the event date and be
completed with precision. Late stage event cancellations are challengeable and likely to encourage
vociferous event organiser protest (particularly for a large event) given the investment to stage the
event.

Accordingly, this report recommends Council continue to take a precautionary approach to allowing
larger events in 2021 and not amend the position it adopted in August 2020. While this approach will
certainly not suit all stakeholders it will provide certainty for event organisers and the community for
the remainder of the year until COVID risk can be further reassessed.




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