2015-06-01 General Committee Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                     1 JUNE 2015


1.3   Economic Need

As part of the applicant’s economic report a table was included outlining the average expenditure
on takeaway food per capita for 2012 based on the Household Expenditure Survey by the
Australian Bureau of Statistics. The applicant’s Table 3 is shown below:




Notwithstanding the inclusion of this table, the applicant in examining the likely expenditure
available used $1,440 per year expenditure for 4,600 workers in the Noosaville Industrial estate.
The applicant justified this by using a figure of $7.82 per purchase X 4 days X 46 weeks X 4,600
workers. Economic Associates (Council’s consultant) advises that it is better to use the
Household Expenditure provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics as identified in the
applicant’s Table 3 as while there is room either side of an average, nearly double the average is
difficult to support. On this basis and using the retail density turnover estimated, only a smaller
floor area for the tradies café is supportable (no more than 90m2 gross floor area and 35m2
outdoor dining). A condition of approval is currently recommended to limit the size of the tradies
café to not exceed this maximum.

Notably, mobile food and coffee vans were not considered as part of the Economic needs
assessment by the applicant. Economic Associates advises that as there is no permanent
infrastructure associated with these vans, a ‘here today gone tomorrow’ view is taken and they
are not reasonably considered as part of an economic need assessment.

1.4   Submissions in support of the application

It is noted the report presented to the Planning and Organisation Committee did not clarify the
basis of the 13 submissions supporting the development. In summary the supportive submissions
generally outlined the ‘tradies café’ would:
 improve the options for lunch in the area;
 be a safe option for workers in the auto park - not requiring to cross the Eumundi Noosa Rd;
 easy and conveniently located for auto park workers – currently some employees use a
   vehicle to go to the Noosa Civic; and
 support for the worker expenditure pool that has been provided by the applicant - providing
   examples of their expenditure on lunches.

A submitter suggested that a convenience shop is essential in a sustainable contemporary
service station business and is well located for convenience items.

2.    CONCLUSION

It is concluded that some changes would improve the recommended conditions for the service
station in regard to timing, reporting and rectification works. However, no zebra crossing is
considered warranted in this instance. Council’s Economic Consultant does not agree with the
expenditure pool suggested by the applicant, but does agree that a need for a smaller scale
‘tradies café’ has been demonstrated.



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