2021-03-02 Special Meeting Agenda

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA   2 MARCH 2021




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SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA                                                  2 MARCH 2021

     financial risk by allowing large events to proceed without adequate insurance
     coverage for COVID-19 due to the risk of incurring COVID related litigation.
     + For many years, event tourism has been encouraged to inject money into the
     Noosa economy outside the main holiday penods. In the COVID-19 environment,
     however, this strategy presents significant risks to the business and tourism sectors.
     The key risks to these sectors in the wake of COVID-19 transmission are immediate
     financial damage and longer-term reputational damage to the Brand from a second
     or third wave lockdown.
     Arguably, business owners and tourism bodies will lose much more by reintroduced
     lockdowns than they would have ever gained economically in the short term from an
     approved event.

     COVID Reference Group
     A COVID-19 Reference Group, which comprises staff with different skill sets
     assessing event applications during the COVID-19 pandemic, has met monthly since
     October. The Reference Group met on 16 December 2020 and discussed the
     content of the update report and the possibility of relaxing Council's event
     restrictions.
     One of the options discussed by the Group includes allowing Category 1 and 2
     events subject to:
     * Each event receiving State Government approval of its COVID Safe Event Plan;
     + Satisfactory assessment and evaluation by Council's COVID-19 Reference Group;
     and
     + Allowing Category 3 events (up to 1500 people outdoors which is an increase from
     Council's approved 500 people) subject to satisfactory completion of a COVID Safe
     Event Checklist including a signed and displayed Statement of Compliance.
     Council has received feedback from the tourism and business industry urging
     Council to relax its restrictions and allow larger events. Council is receiving new
     applications for larger events from community organisations and commercial
     businesses.
     An update report is required to be prepared for Council consideration in February
     2021 and community groups are now being invited to make recommendations from
     the perspective of shire residents, including volunteers who would be impacted as
     part of their involvement in public events.
     New State Guidelines for COVID Safe Events 23 December 2020
     Events are able to be staged in Queensland in compliance with relevant COVID Safe
     plans.
     + Indoor premises — can operate with one person per two square metres allowed
     (e.g. restaurants, pubs, clubs, convention centres).

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