2021-06-16 Special Meeting Agenda

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA                                                                     16 JUNE 2021


Submission Topic   Detail
                   would actually like to suggest that some funds be allocated directly to the Noosa
                   Wedding Organization to use for the promotion of weddings in Noosa and the Noosa
                   Hinterland.

                   Submission 5:
                   We thank you for the opportunity to provide Budget feedback. We congratulate the
                   Noosa Council staff & councillors on preparing a budget that forecasts a minimal
                   General Rate increase only, especially in times with Inflationary pressures evident. As
                   significant contributors to the Tourism & Economic Development Levy we do wish
                   however to express our concern of the proposed changes in this area. We are strong
                   supporters of Mel Anderson and her team and we would like to stress the importance
                   of providing support & job security to Mel and her key staff. While Noosa may currently
                   be experiencing record tourism revenue, it is without question when International
                   Travel returns, regions so reliant on domestic travel, such as Noosa, will experience a
                   significant decline. The need to be proactive, maintaining a strong brand and
                   experienced team in both marketing & promotion and destination management will be
                   critical to the ongoing economic development & employment within the Shire.

                   Submission 6:
                   Our recommendation is that Council does not change the levy in this financial budget,
                   but have proper evidence-based reporting and consultation to fully review Council's
                   motives to remove it and the impact on our industry. Our wish is that the council gives
                   additional financial support to Tourism Noosa

                   Submission 7:
                   I write as an individual ratepayer, former Noosa Councillor under Mayor Bob Abbott at
                   the time of introduction of the Tourism Levy over two decades ago, and member of the
                   inaugural Noosa Tourism Board. I am simply horrified and saddened that the draft
                   Budget proposes to eliminate the Tourism and Economic Development Levy, which
                   over two decades has underpinned an extraordinary partnership between Council and
                   the tourism sector.. I urge councillors to reinstate the Tourism and Economic
                   Development Levy. My concerns are as follows:
                   1) At the time of their election, not a single councillor flagged that he or she intended
                   to eliminate the Tourism and Economic Development Levy if elected.. All emphasized
                   the importance of sustainable economic development for the shire. Yet in a little over
                   12 months from the election, this proposal, with all its flaws, has come onto the table.
                   2) This is a change of extraordinary magnitude for the tourism industry, yet it has been
                   introduced at the last minute almost as an afterthought, with no consultation with the
                   industry and no prior warning in the first round of budget community consultation. This
                   casual attitude to the major employer in the shire could almost be perceived as arrogant
                   and is particularly offensive given the COVID challenges that the industry has faced in
                   the past 12 months.. It would appear that a multi-million dollar industry has been thrown
                   into disarray without serious thought being given by Council to the consequences of
                   the proposal.
                   3) The proposed change exhibits no understanding or valuing of the extraordinary and
                   innovative partnership which has been nurtured by previous Councils and Tourism
                   Noosa over two decades. It was the tourism industry which approached the Abbot
                   council, seeking the levy as a way of building a sustainable tourism industry enabling
                   certainty in investment. A partnership emerged in which Council collected and
                   disbursed funds while fulfilling an overall quality control role on behalf of its community.
                   Council has always had a role in oversighting the direction of the tourism sector through
                   requiring a strategic plan outlining the proposed direction of Tourism Noosa.
                   4) The change from collecting funds via a levy versus bundling them up in general rates
                   has enormous significance, since the Local Government Act specifically requires that
                   levy funds be used for the purpose described in the Budget documents. Funds
                   collected via general rates go into general revenue and have no such protection. No
                   reason has been given for the proposed change. The tourism levy normally raises in
                   the order of $3M, of which $2.52M is proposed for tourism promotion.
                   Council is asking the tourism sector to trust them and believe that the same funds will
                   be disbursed in the future. In effect, Council is proposing to turn an equal partner into

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