2021-06-16 Special Meeting Agenda

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA                                                                      16 JUNE 2021


Submission Topic   Detail
                   NSC Core Business is, or should be, ' Protection of the Noosa Biosphere and it's Assets
                   both natural and man-made as well as our lifestyle and amenity’. NSRRA objects to
                   Council's determination that tourism promotion and economic development is "core
                   Council business" and should be funded from "general rates" whether they be charged
                   just to commercial businesses or otherwise while directed to the current business.

                   We agree that Council should scrap the Tourism Levy as it could be self funded. There
                   are important things for Council to spend rates revenue on. One such alternate is to
                   fund the ‘not free’ holiday buses from tourism funds.

                   It seems questionable that Council on one hand spends ratepayer funds dealing with
                   the numerous problems associated with over-tourism, and on the other hand want to
                   fund the promotion of more tourism! Council’s intent needs to be explained. It appears
                   non-transparent.

                   NSRRA strongly object to the idea general rates will rise to pay for an in house Council
                   tourism promotion body. We also have concerns about a new Levy for “Fire
                   Management’ which maybe an ongoing expense covered by General Rates.

Short Stay/        Submission 1:
Transitory         I strongly object to the proposal to tax short stay rentals on top of the tourist levy (which
Accommodation      should not be included in general revenue). Rather than put more strain on council
Rating Category    resources short stay rentals do not occupy premises 100% of the year nor to the guests
                   use many council facilities which permanent lessees or owners do. If council wishes to
(17 submissions    decrease tourism and jobs in Noosa it is going the right way about it. Councillors in
received)          favour of this proposal should think again.

                   Submission 2:
                   We are writing to submit our support for Noosa Council to increase rates for all STA
                   properties as they are running as a business and should face the same reporting
                   obligations as traditional accommodation providers.

                   Submission 3:
                   As a property owner in Noosa, I wish to strongly object to the proposed increase in
                   rates to be applied to holiday rental properties I am not objecting to an increase but a
                   16% increase is excessive and should be re-evaluated. Please reconsider your
                   proposal.

                   Submission 4:
                   As a property owner in the Noosa Council I am writing in respect of the current proposal
                   to create a new rates category which will apply specifically to holiday rental properties.
                   I am struggling to find any basis or justification as to why Holiday let properties should
                   be singled out or targeted in this way. As a property owner we are reliant on the income
                   we receive from this property and have, like many others, suffered a reduction in
                   income over the last 16 months while the pandemic has persisted and continues to
                   persist.

                   Noosa as a community and a region continues to flourish and do well and I am sure
                   this is due in no small part to the availability of holiday let properties to visitors who are
                   happy to visit and spend their money in the region. The reliance on the news region for
                   tourism cannot be underestimated and this decision seems extraordinary in the light of
                   recent conditions.

                   A proposed increase in excess of 15% seems extraordinary. I understand on current
                   forecasts under the proposed budget the increase for the new rates category would be
                   in excess of 15% which on any view seems very difficult to justify. Please can you
                   provide your reasons as to how you can justify such a hefty increase in any
                   environment let alone in the middle of a worldwide pandemic. This decision seems
                   oblivious to current conditions and disregards The impact suffered by many property
                   owners.

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