2021-06-16 Special Meeting Agenda

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA                                                                   16 JUNE 2021


Submission Topic   Detail
                   Submission 61
                   Tourism Noosa (TN), as representative to 970+ members and essentially the entire
                   tourism sector in the Noosa Shire, has received the tourism promotion component of
                   the funds collected under the Special Levy for 20 years. With the absence of
                   justification and evidence to support the Levy abolishment TN urges Noosa Council to
                   defer their proposal and maintain the T&E levy. It is critical that Council take the
                   required time to consult industry, residents and the actual T&E Levy ratepayers
                   appropriately and transparently.

                   PRACTICAL EFFECTS
                   Abolishing the Levy removes the:
                   • Lack of transparency in regard to the new level of funding, now that transitory
                   accommodation (short stay and Air BnB properties) has been included in the collection
                   of a T&E rate (reported to be an approximate new addition of $2m in revenue).
                   • Fundamental basis on which TN’s funding level is calculated.
                   • Protection – Special Levy definitions, under legislated State Act, dictate how the funds
                   are managed. General Rates have no such protection.
                   • Transparency – the current model provides T&E Levy payers a clear and direct ‘line
                   of sight’ from what they are paying, how funds are directed through to how the funds
                   are managed by TN. Industry will not see what they are contributing.
                   • Recognition by T&E Levy payers of their investment in the tourism and economic
                   sector and the lack of consultation with that sector in this decision.

                   RELATIONSHIP
                   Whilst these points represent the practical effects, the greatest concern in abolishing
                   the T&E Levy, without due diligence, is that it puts at risk not only the current strong
                   Noosa Council and TN relationship, but Council’s close and supporting relationship
                   with the entire tourism sector. TN implores Noosa Council to not put at risk a two-
                   decade relationship that has been held up as a model to all other tourism sectors
                   nationwide.
                   Right now, the industry is feeling uncomfortable, somewhat disrespected and
                   concerned their questions are not being addressed. The industry concerns we are
                   fielding include:
                   • Council arrogance in attempting to slip through and trivialise such a monumental
                   change with no prior consultancy and instead – only providing a 3-line paragraph with
                   no evidence-based background.
                   • No discussion paper or report providing the reasons for and against such change.
                   • No prior discussions with key stakeholder such as Tourism Noosa, Business
                   Associations and Chamber representatives.
                   • A ‘Trust Me’ approach without offering a reason to trust.
                   • Bureaucrats Vs Family run businesses.
                   • Representative Councillors being unprepared to answer questions from members.
                   • Doubts as to some representative Councillors being comprehensively informed.
                   • Put yourself in the shoes of the tourism businesses TN represents, and the feeling of
                   distrust and being misled. We as an industry a rightfully nervous!
                   • The tourism industry is suffering enough with lack of staff, housing shortages and the
                   upheaval of constant changes associated with COVID.
                   • The industry is fatigued and exhausted and now the Council are acting oblivious to
                   the challenges and stress of an already downtrodden industry
                   • Removing the Levy effectively removes the guarantee on how future Councillors, and
                   Council management, will manage and allocate the funds.
                   It is concerning that TN’s role in the current relationship is one of a partner, but the
                   proposed moves will see TN in more of a subordinate position.

                   INDUSTRY
                   Noosa Tourism Industry facts:
                   • Tourism is Noosa’s ‘core’ industry, delivering $1.2b to the local economy.
                   • 970+ businesses are TN members – 30% represent service and indirect tourism
                   businesses.
                   • 75% of businesses attribute their profits to tourism, direct and indirect.

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