2021-03-02 Special Meeting Agenda

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA                                                              2 MARCH 2021


The Reference Group has met monthly since October 2020 and a number of events have been
approved, including three events seeking an exemption for alcohol (a full list of approved events
from 1 September 2020 is included below). At each meeting the Reference Group has considered
the timing and risk of allowing Category 1 and 2 events. Contextual factors influencing the Reference
Group’s decisions over the last few months include:
•      The 31 October 2020 State election and its then likely impact on the public health roadmap.
•      A lack of demand and appetite from community groups to undertake festive events exceeding
       the threshold of 500 attendees.
•      Impact of the influx of Schoolies to Noosa prior to the 2020 Christmas school holiday period.
•      Relaxation of state borders, Queensland border reopening 1 December 2020, increased
       movement of people interstate, influx of visitors and the possibility of increased COVID risk to
       the community leading into the Christmas 2020 school holiday period.
•      Easing of the Roadmap restrictions including outdoor event attendee numbers for Category
       three events increasing from 500 to 1,500.
•      Accommodation sector described as full through most of January and strong demand expected
       through February and March 2021 up to Easter.
•      Correspondence received from Noosaville Business Association Inc., Hastings Street
       Association Inc., Noosa Resident and Ratepayers Association Inc. and Cooroy Area Residents
       Association.
•      Recurring COVID outbreaks around Australia.
•      The arrival of new mutant virus strains.

Given the low number of active COVID cases and community transmission of the virus the Reference
Group gave strong consideration to allowing larger events at the December 2020 and January 2021
Reference Group meetings. There is currently strong support (but not unanimous support) within the
Reference Group to allow larger events and align with the State Framework given COVID
transmission rates are low and ample evidence of the State’s swift and decisive response to
outbreaks. The opportunities and risks of allowing larger events will be discussed further in the
‘Options’ section of this report.

4.    Update on risk factors
Public Liability Insurance

As noted in the August 2020 report, Council requires event organisers to obtain public liability
insurance cover to protect Council against insurance claims. While the Framework is a valuable
management tool to assist event organisers plan for and deliver events in the COVID-19
environment, it does not address insurance requirements for COVID-19.

Council’s investigations have highlighted there are still currently no insurance products available
which are free of COVID-19 exclusions and this is unlikely to change for the remainder of 2021.
Council takes on increased financial risk by allowing large events to proceed without adequate
insurance coverage for COVID-19 due to the potential of incurring COVID related litigation.

Reputational Risk

As noted in the August 2020 report, there has been significant effort expended over many years by
different interest groups including tourism bodies and businesses regarding development of the
‘Noosa Brand’ (the Brand). The Brand has iconic status within Australia and has global recognition
in international tourism markets. The tourism industry is a critical economic driver within Noosa Shire
and gives rise to a number of symbiotic relationships in market supply chains.




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