2017-06-06 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                           6 JUNE 2017



4                        FUTURE OF HANG GLIDING AND PARAGLIDING ACTIVITY - TINGIRA CRESCENT
                         SUNRISE BEACH
DOCUMENT INFORM AT ION




Author                           Property Manager, Clint Irwin
                                 Corporate Services Department

Index                            ECM/ Subject/ Leases; Property/ 237092

Attachments                      1.   Map of launch site Lot 149 on RP130983 Tingira Cres, Sunrise Beach
                                 2.   Map of flying area between Sunrise Beach and Sunshine Beach
                                 3.   Sunshine Coast Sports Aviators Letter of Support for Noosa Council
                                      funding application


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Hang gliding has occurred over the frontal dune between Sunrise Beach and Sunshine Beach
since the 1960’s. The main launch site is located at Tingira Crescent and over the last 15 years
flying has becoming more popular due to the advent of paragliding. There have been resident
complaints regarding the flying activities over homes between Sunrise Beach and Sunshine
Beach and as house design has changed to include more outdoor based living, swimming pools
and glass walls, the interaction between flyers and residents has increased.

The Sunshine Coast Sports Aviators Inc. (SCSA) permit to use the launch site expired in
September 2015 and the group continues to use the launch site under the expired permit
conditions. Recent resident complaints prompted Council to engage with SCSA to discuss the
resident issues. In response, SCSA have attempted to implement a suite of management actions
but the residents maintain these actions have not alleviated their privacy and safety concerns.
Council has also facilitated a discussion between residents and SCSA resulting in the
development of a management plan by SCSA which was subsequently rejected by the residents
because the trial period was too long and the overall efficacy of the plan was questioned.

SCSA, Council and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service have also been in discussions to
explore the potential for the use of inland flying sites and these discussions are ongoing. Council
has recently been successful in receiving State Government funding to develop a Regional
Sports Facility Plan. The Plan will provide an agreed Regional Facility Plan (Sunshine Coast,
Noosa and Gympie Regional Council areas) for a group of activities defined as difficult to locate
(including hang gliding and paragliding).

Council sought legal advice from King & Co. Solicitors regarding the future of flying from the site
and this was discussed with SCSA and residents. The advice is that continuing to permit Tingira
Crescent as a launch site exposes Council to liability in nuisance, with the likely remedy being an
injunction against Council and / or SCSA and its members. Given the legal advice provided, this
report recommends the Tingira Crescent launch site be closed for flying activities and Local Law
No.4 (Local Government Controlled Areas, Facilities and Roads 2015) be amended to reflect the
site closure.

While hang gliding/ paragliding is a spectacular recreation activity with a long history at Sunrise
Beach and Sunshine Beach, this report contends the future of the activity hinges on securing
locations away from residential areas where interaction between flyers and residents is
minimised.




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