2021-06-16 Special Meeting Agenda

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA                                                                    16 JUNE 2021


Submission Topic   Detail
                   It is not just about the attraction of a destination but what experiences and variety of
                   activities are available to the tourist once they arrive. Tourism Noosa has always been
                   a way of communicating to visitors and prospective visitors what they can do in Noosa.
                   They need to be commended for their achievements and not hampered as this will also
                   further impact on people like us. Noosa is up against some extremely pro-active
                   markets for the Australian tourism dollar for eg. Cairns/Far North Tropics and the Gold
                   Coast which has a very large marketing budget. Therefore, in order to compete, we
                   need as much exposure as we can possibly generate in the market place. Tourism is
                   critical to Noosa to survive and a Tourism Levy is essential to assist with the promotion
                   of our fantastic region.

                   Submission 3:
                   We write to you as past Board Directors of Tourism Noosa, Chairs of the Marketing
                   and Events Committee and Chair of the Finance Committee. We strongly oppose
                   Noosa Council’s draft Budget proposing to change the Tourism and Economic
                   Development Levy. We find the timing and lack of consultation a potential threat to the
                   decades long successful management of our local tourism organisation, often used as
                   a benchmark by other organisations, for its maturity, governance, membership levels,
                   sustainable values, community engagement, and award-winning marketing. As we
                   work in and with varied destinations, we can speak with qualification when we say that
                   other Councils and tourism operators wish they had a Tourism Noosa, supported by
                   such an enlightened levy model and Council partner, in their corner.

                   Why put that at risk? We very much subscribe to the adage, if it’s not broke…We object
                   to proposed Tourism Levy changes in the draft Budget papers for the following reasons:
                   •     Your draft papers note "Tourism promotion has evolved into core Council
                         business" – we think that statement is open to misinterpretation by industry.
                   •     As a Council that promotes engagement and transparency of governance – there
                         was no consultation. It is our view that many may not understand the distinction
                         between tourism funds coming from a distinct Tourism Levy protected by
                         legislation to ensure the direction and purpose of those funds, versus collection
                         under General Rates where funds go into general revenue and have no such
                         protection. No reason has been given for the proposed change. As we have both
                         been involved in past negotiation of ongoing agreements, we understand there is
                         a very distinct difference. This change has the potential to significantly impact our
                         multi-million tourism industry, yet it has been introduced in an exceptionally tight
                         timeframe, without industry consultation or prior discussion.
                   •     We ask councillors to consider the incredible pressure our tourism sector is
                         already under and not add to it. The timing of this proposed change, during one
                         of the most challenging periods on record, is not logical and perceptions
                         surrounding the change and its intent, could lead to weakening of the bank of trust
                         and respect between Tourism Noosa, Industry and Council, so integral to
                         productive, positive outcomes.
                   •     As an organisation, Tourism Noosa can evidence long-term credibility, expertise,
                         and achievements over two decades. Key to this success, is a planning process
                         enabled by protected funding through the Tourism Levy, a strong relationship with
                         Noosa Council, and the Funding Agreement.
                   •     Our concerns to bring the Levy under General Rates centre around transparency
                         and protection of our most critical industry sector and the destination brand. No
                         matter the intent, Council and Councillors cannot guarantee actions of future staff
                         and Councillors to use the funds for tourism purposes, without the protection of
                         the legislative framework the Levy provides.

                   Councillors, we urge you to reconsider and reinstate the Tourism and Economic
                   Development levy.

                   Submission 4:
                   After looking more into this proposal I would like to retract my previous email and
                   instead support Council’s proposal. As a founding member of the Noosa Wedding
                   Organization I feel that our industry has received little to no support from TN and I

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