2014-07-22 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                     22 JULY 2014


3.    At the Ordinary Meeting 21 May 1992, Council resolved to grant permission for NDLG
      (c) to use the building for the activites outlined in its letter dated 1 May 1992, for a
      rental of $50.00 per week, to be waived in favour of $1.00 per year on demand.

Council now needs to consider the appropriateness of the current arrangement and what
options are available moving forward. A number of options are discussed below.

Option 1 – Transfer of the Building Licence to NDLG at no cost

Transfer the building licence to NDLG taking into account the following:

(a)   Preliminary discussions with the group indicate that they are amenable to this option.
      This option has been formally put to the NDLG committee and Council has received
      written advice from the group supporting the transfer of the building pending further
      specific discussions regarding the ongoing costs to manage the property.
(b)   The NDLG demonstrates an ongoing financial capability which enables the group to
      manage the building independently of Council, which would eliminate/reduce the
      current situation whereby an ongoing subsidy from the general rate is being incurred.
(c)   The arrangement avoids regular negotiations and discussions with QR which are more
      efficiently dealt with directly by the group. It should be noted that NDLG have a licence
      over the adjoining portion of land directly with QR for the nursery for $1 per annum.
      Comparatively, Council is currently levied a commercial rate for the land on which the
      NDLG building is located.

Option 2 – Cost Recovery

Implement a cost recovery approach. In summary this approach:

(a)   Retains a building under Council management for ongoing community use.
(b)   Increasing the rent payable to Council from NDLG in line with the rent payable to QR
      by Council.
(c)   This option exposes Council to further unilateral rental increases and policy changes
      by QR. The outcome of which would be passed onto the group under this option.

Option 3 – Business as Usual

Continue with current approach. In summary this approach:

(a)   Retains a building under Council management for ongoing community use.
(b)   Exposes Council to further unilateral rental increases and policy changes by QR.
(c)   Continues the subsidisation of the current rental arrangement from the general rate.


Previous Council Consideration

At the Ordinary Meeting 21 May 1992: That

A.    Staff action to negotiate the purchase of the former CWA rest room building, Pomona
      is endorsed and action to finalise the matter authorised.

C.    The Noosa & District Landcare Group be granted permission to use the building for the
      activities outlined in its letter dated 1 May 1992, for a rental of $50.00 per week, to be
      waived in favour of $1.00 per year on demand and generally in accordance with the
      conditions outlined in the Executive Assistant’s report dated 8 May 1992.



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