2021-06-16 Special Meeting Agenda

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA                                                                16 JUNE 2021


Submission Topic   Detail
                   council pays Tourism Noosa the set amount of $2.52M, not including the annual charge
                   of a fee of $80,000 for collection and distribution to Tourism Noosa. Tourism Noosa
                   has done a remarkable job promoting and supporting local businesses; especially
                   given the recent Covid disruption, which has been difficult for the tourism sector.
                   Toward the end of this year, Tourism Noosa will be working with Council to negotiate
                   a new contract for Tourism Noosa to continue its operations in 2022 and beyond. I
                   whole heartly disagree with the section under KEY DRAFT BUDGET COMPONENTS
                   1. Rates and charges. ‘Tourism and economic development activities are now
                   considered core Council business and are proposed to be funded by general rates (to
                   be applied only to those properties that are currently paying the Tourism and Economic
                   Levy).’ This statement provides a fundamental change to the transparency and
                   protection of how Noosa Council accounts for rate payers' Tourism Levy funds, and if
                   they are being used in the best interest of tourism and the economy, businesses and
                   community in Noosa. Council is requested to provide the Noosa community with
                   complete transparency and answers on:
                   1. The exact breakdown of the total funds being collected from Tourism and Economic
                   Levy rate payers, and how Council plans to allocate that funding outside the $2.5M for
                   Tourism Noosa.
                   2. Why is it suddenly now that Noosa Council deems tourism as a core responsibility
                   when it hasn’t before?
                   3. Will Noosa Council publish achievements from the economic development allocation
                   of funds – similar to an annual report for those that contribute to the fund?
                   4. Is Noosa Council planning to reduce funding to Tourism Noosa over the next 5
                   years?
                   5. Do Noosa Councillors understand the impact to our economy from the visitor
                   economy? If so – why is there not more support for businesses and industry around
                   tourism?
                   6. Can Noosa Council elaborate more on the new allocation of $150,000 to ‘destination
                   management’ that has been allocated but not included in the budget consultation
                   process? Is destination management not the core role of a Council and should have
                   been a focus previously?
                   7. The economy of Noosa is critical to families and business. Why has Noosa Council
                   now removed the requirement for ‘new to region’ retirees to pay 3 years of full rates
                   before a discount is applied – essentially enabling immediate discounts to new
                   residents that do not contribute to economic activity in the region.
                   8. Where has Noosa Council allocated funding for improved traffic and transport
                   options for Hastings Street and Noosa Junction, including allocation for funds for
                   permanent free buses for improved traffic management?

                   Submission 43:
                   To rename / reallocate the Tourism Levy paid by tourism business to general rates
                   seems needless and removes transparency on how this special levy is spent. It looks
                   like council grab for control and muddies the waters for those paying the Levy.

                   It should be treated as separate budget entry and priority and I endorse Tourism
                   Noosa’s stance on this and they should be able to maintain some independence – they
                   have done a credible job for the last 20 years and hopefully can continue to guide
                   tourism promotion in Noosa Shire. The proposal to bring the Tourism and Economic
                   Development Levy under General Rates is alarming for the tourism industry. Where
                   will we see the current transparency around how our Tourism Levy funds are used, as
                   we do in Tourism Noosa's Annual Reports? With protection removed, there is no
                   guarantee that Council or future Councils will continue to use the funds for their
                   purpose, or will even fund Tourism Noosa for the purpose of tourism promotion. In this
                   uncertain Covid world, now more than ever before our tourism industry needs security
                   and the work of Tourism Noosa.

                   Submission 44:
                   The Council collects a Tourism and Economic Levy from applicable rate payers
                   (tourism and commercial businesses, short stay homes and now Air BnBs) and pays
                   Tourism Noosa the set amount of $2.52M, not including the annual charge of a fee of

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