2019-10-08 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                               8 OCTOBER 2019


Finance
Implementing the proposed temporary event bond categories will allow the financial risk to
ratepayers of any reinstatement works due to the impact of wet weather to be mitigated.

Risks & Opportunities
Risks

Infrastructure damage as a result of event use has the potential to increase maintenance costs
and bring forward capital renewal costs which will be required to be funded by ratepayers if
appropriate contingencies are not instigated, i.e. appropriate temporary event bonds.

Opportunities

Implementation of a categorised temporary event bond process allows the event organiser to
appropriately consider the potential overall cost of the event and plan pricing decisions
accordingly.

Conclusion

The Lions Park is a favourite recreation area for the local community and visitors and has been
community purpose land set aside as a reserve for recreation since 1982, while also serving as a
popular event venue for most of the intervening period. It is one of Council’s premier community
assets and is maintained to a high standard however, it will always be susceptible to rain induced
event damage because it is an outdoor venue.

While wet weather event damage to the Lions Park is uncommon, the cost of major
reinstatement works far exceeds the current bond amount Council holds for the event. Given the
infrequency of wet weather event damage, event organisers do not consider the financial cost of
major reinstatement works into pre-event planning and pricing decisions. Currently, where the
reinstatement cost far exceeds the bond, Council must negotiate with an event organiser to fund
the works after the event has finished.

In summary, the bond amount Council collects from event organisers for the Lions Park has been
inadequate to cover wet weather event damage. The proposed changes to the Lions Park bond
categories will ensure event organisers consider and plan for the full wet weather impact of their
event without the requirement for ratepayer subsidisation if the Lions Park is damaged. The
‘Lions Park Reinstatement Principles’ noted in this report provide further clarity for Council
officers and event organisers providing for evidence based decision making regarding future
reinstatement works.

Consultation

External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder

Noosa Food and Wine Festival – Consultation was undertaken with Tourism Noosa in its
capacity as event organiser on 2 September 2019. Tourism Noosa supported the proposal to
increase event bonds for major reinstatement works and did not object to the proposed impact
categorisation.

Noosa Triathlon – Consultation was undertaken with Ironman in its capacity as event organiser
on 30 August 2019. Ironman supported the proposal to increase event bonds for major
reinstatement works and did not object to a proposed moderate impact categorisation. Given the
potential risk of weather damage given the scale and size of the Noosa Triathlon Festival it is
recommended that a high impact categorisation be applied.


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