2021-08-16 General Committee Meeting Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                     16 AUGUST 2021


     Council’s COVID-19 support, including subsidised professional services panel and a partnership
      with Business Mentors Noosa, was valued at $43,641
     The Economic Grants program was impacted by the uncertainty of COVID restrictions and
      lockdowns. Council did provide $10,000 for a range of projects that support the local economy.
      2020/21 recipients included the Hastings Street Association, Cooroy Chamber of Commerce and
      Woman by Abby Rose.
     Council improved communications with the business community via a direct bi-monthly
      Economic Development e-newsletter. Council’s business webpages were updated to provide a
      one-stop portal for local businesses including a business events calendar, grants information,
      Federal and State government support programs and local economic data and statistics.
     The Economic Development team provided support to businesses and associations including
      one-on-one meetings to better help businesses navigate Council functions and requirements and
      providing guidance on strategic planning and the development of business plans. Council also
      welcomed the establishment of the Pomona Chamber of Commerce.

1.4     Corporate Plan Theme 4: Long term planning for Noosa Shire
“Noosa Shire is well managed and sustainable”

Key achievements as we work towards our long term goal include:

Specific Operational Plan Priorities
     The new Noosa Plan was adopted by Council at a July 2020 Special Meeting and commenced
      on 31 July 2020. The Council has already made some administrative amendments to the
      planning scheme and is working to ensure compliance with the Ministerial conditions associated
      with the scheme adoption.
     The Council’s Draft Coastal Hazard Adaptation Plan (CHAP) was published for community
      feedback. Further work is being done on community engagement via a roundtable with the draft
      CHAP to be presented to a future Council meeting.
     Council is seeking the necessary approvals to implement the Noosa Spit Shoreline Erosion
      Management Plan which is a detailed study of the erosion occurring on Noosa Spit because of
      river movement, tide and boat wash. Funding has been allocated in Council’s budgets to
      undertake planning and construction works identified in the SEMP.
     Council had formed a working group to guide the Revenue Diversification Project. The working
      group was investigating options to broaden Council’s revenue streams to reduce where possible
      the reliance on general rate increases to fund service delivery. Due to the ongoing impact of
      planning for COVID response on key staff, this initiative is on hold but will be revisited once we
      have more time, post COVID.
     Council continued to implement the priority actions of the Noosa Transport Strategy including
      completing the annual Christmas and Easter ‘Go Noosa’ Peak Period Traffic Management Plan.
      Council also supported the annual Electric Vehicle Expo undertaken by Zero Emissions Noosa.
     Negotiations progressed with Translink to introduce electric buses for Noosa, upgrade the Noosa
      Heads bus stop to a multi-modal interchange and improve public transport generally. Funding
      has been provided for design work on the Noosa Heads bus stop area.
     The schools program has continued to improve traffic around schools by getting more kids using
      active travel and school buses.
     Council completed a comprehensive analysis of the possible options for the future use of the
      former Tewantin TAFE site. This included new information regarding constraints on the site.
      Council determined not to proceed with a purchase of the site at the July 2020 Council meeting.

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