2019-04-15 General Committee Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                                   15 APRIL 2019



7                        COMMERCIAL HIGH USE PERMIT APPLICATION - RYDE GREEN PTY LTD (NEON
                         RIDE)
DOCUMENT INFORM AT ION




Author                              Property Manager, Clint Irwin
                                    Corporate Services Department

Index                               ECM/ Subject/ 34.61 Commercial Use of Community Land

Attachments                         1.    Shared Mobility Devices Media Coverage
                                    2.    Noosa Council submission on Draft SEQ Regional Transport Plan



EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Electric scooters are the latest offering in the shared mobility device or ‘rideables’ transport
segment. Recent media coverage of the introduction of electric scooters has been
comprehensive and highlights not only potential benefits, but also a number of issues, particularly
regarding safety and public amenity.

Council has recently received a permit application from Neon Ride to operate an electric scooter
business on community land for a three month trial period. Neon Ride has relocated to Noosa
and claims their electric scooters will provide many benefits to the community.

Legislative provisions and local government responses to this nascent technology are still
developing across Australia with some local governments proposing trials while others are
awaiting the outcome of those trials before making further decisions.

Given risk factors and identified issues relating to electric scooters have not been fully assessed
by Council, it is recommended Council refuse the Commercial High Use Permit application from
Neon Ride. Furthermore, it is recommended Council refuse any other permit application for
shared mobility device operations on Council controlled community land, until Council undertakes
a comprehensive assessment of all risks associated with shared mobility devices and develops
an appropriate evidence based management strategy to manage those issues.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Property Manager to the General Committee Meeting dated
15 April 2019 regarding the application from Neon Ride for a Commercial High Use Permit; and
A.                       Refuse the Commercial High Use Permit application from Ryde Green Pty Ltd (Neon Ride);
                         and
B.                       Refuse any application received from electric scooter businesses or any other shared
                         mobility device business seeking to operate on Council controlled community land until the
                         risks associated with identified issues in other local government areas have been
                         comprehensively assessed by Council and an appropriate evidence based management
                         strategy has been developed in response to manage those issues (detailed as Option 2 in
                         the report).




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