2021-03-02 Special Meeting Agenda

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA                                                              2 MARCH 2021


REPORTS


1     TEMPORARY EVENT PERMIT APPROVALS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC – UPDATE
      REPORT

Author            Director Corporate Services, Michael Shave
                  Property Manager, Clint Irwin
                  Corporate Services Department

Index             ECM/ 34.60 Licences/Permits/Registrations

Attachments       1.    Government responses to events in the COVID environment
                  2.    Stakeholder Feedback – Council proposal to allow larger events



EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Australia’s recovery from COVID-19 is not occurring in a continuous easing trend. Instead restrictions
have tightened and eased in response to COVID-19 clusters and community transmission. The
country’s vaccination program commenced in February 2021 and offers the hope of a return to
normal life, however the roll out will take months to complete and the efficacy of the program is
unknown. The State Government continues to competently manage the pandemic and its reaction
to COVID outbreaks is swift and decisive.

Overall, Noosa has endured the COVID period remarkably well. Noosa’s brand and image, proximity
to the south east Queensland drive market, reduced opportunities to travel interstate and overseas,
combined with interstate travellers keen to escape the spectre of continuing lockdowns elsewhere
have all contributed to a relatively buoyant economic period.

At its Special Meeting in August 2020, Council chose not to adopt the State Government’s Industry
Framework for COVID Safe Events in full. Instead it resolved to only approve events and markets
with fewer than 500 people (Category 3 events under the State Framework) and not allow larger
Category 1 and 2 events. There have been a total of 45 Category 3 events with fewer than 500
people approved by Council since the August 2020 meeting.

The State has subsequently relaxed the State Framework to allow 1,500 people for Category 3
outdoor events and Council’s COVID-19 Reference Group supports allowing larger events, however
there is not unanimous support for this position within the group. This divide is reflected in
stakeholder group feedback with some in favour of Council retaining its precautionary approach while
others are more comfortable with Council relaxing its position and adopting the State Framework.

There have been no updates to the Framework to address the issue of public liability insurance
coverage and there has been no further consideration of the impact on individual communities, i.e.
health, social, financial and reputational damage if an outbreak occurs as a result of Council
permitted mass gathering.

This report considers various options available to Council including allowing larger events but given
the prevailing risk factors continues to recommend Council take a precautionary approach to
approving mass gatherings and only approve events of fewer than 500 people for a further 12 month
period. While this recommendation is out of step with other local governments and does not align
with the State Framework it supports a risk based approach and acknowledges the Noosa
community’s unique risk factors.


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