2021-03-02 Special Meeting Agenda

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA                                                               2 MARCH 2021


For many years, event tourism has been encouraged to inject money into the Noosa economy
outside the main holiday periods. 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 lockdowns.

Arguably, businesses stand to lose much more by reintroduced lockdowns borne of a Council
approved event than they would have ever gained economically from the event itself. Council’s own
reputation is important within the community and it is not immune to reputational damage from
allowing events to occur which are the source of a COVID-19 cluster and broader community
transmission of the virus. Its reasons for relaxing its position relating to mass gatherings in light of
mutant virus strains, unknown vaccine program efficacy and the knowledge of how quickly a
seemingly ‘safe’ COVID environment can deteriorate will be subject to scrutiny if COVID-19
transmission occurs.


5.    Domestic travel impact on local economy
Border closures during 2020 forced Queensland tourists to look within the state for holiday and
recreation opportunities. Factors such as proximity to the south east Queensland drive market,
attractiveness to interstate visitors looking to escape recurrent lockdowns and greatly reduced
overseas travel opportunities all combined to provide a much needed boost to local businesses. The
trend for last minute bookings in the COVID environment has been a distinguishing feature of the
last few months and bookings are noted as strong through March into the Easter period.

The last quarter of each year in Noosa usually includes a number of larger events held in the
Noosaville foreshore and Hastings Street precincts. Given domestic visitation has been high in
Noosa and capacity has been low, Council’s position of only allowing smaller events has effectively
reduced ‘event impacts’ in already busy precincts.


6.    Number of Temporary Events approved during COVID-19 Pandemic Period
There have been 45 events with fewer than 500 attendees approved since the August 2020 Council
meeting. The full list is provided on the following pages:




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