2017-06-06 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                       6 JUNE 2017


Option 3:      Council prohibits flying activity at the site

Council prohibits flying activities from the site through local laws compliance.

In summary, this approach:
a)   Acknowledges the expert legal advice received on the issue and is based on the premise
     that Council should act in the resident’s interest.
b)   Reflects the likelihood that any further flying activity on the site will not be accepted by the
     residents (even in a controlled manner) and that court action is likely.
c)   Requires an amendment to Council’s local laws to prohibit flying at the site.
d)   Whilst denying access to SCSA and other users of the site for flying activities, allows
     Council the opportunity for positive messaging regarding working with the Sunshine Coast
     Council, Gympie Regional Council and other stakeholders such as QPWS to develop a
     Regional Sports Facility Plan for hang gliding and paragliding (i.e. alternative site
     locations).

Risks
1.    Exposes Council to some reputational risk as being a ‘killjoy’ regarding the closing of the
      site to the SCSA and other flyers given the site history and lack of previous action to date.
2.    Ad hoc illegal flying activities may continue at the site for some time which will require
      Council resources to initiate reactive compliance activities.

Summary

Hang gliding and paragliding are spectacular recreational activities with long history in Sunrise
Beach and Sunshine Beach. However, they are outgrowing the site and becoming increasingly
unsuitable in built up residential areas due to growing interaction between flyers and residents.
This interaction is an ongoing cause for concern for residents in particular impacts on privacy and
also safety fears (whilst incidents relating to safety are infrequent they cannot be ignored).

As such the future of this activity lies in its conduct outside of residential areas. Existing coastal
sites at Teewah and Rainbow Beach are ideal because the residential impact is low or non-
existent. The QPWS offer to investigate Sunshine Coast inland sites to conduct the activities is a
positive step and will be pursued by SCSA given its membership is geographically dispersed.
Council is committed to the sport’s future, as evidenced by the successful funding bid to secure
long term alternatives in suitable locations across the Sunshine Coast Council, Noosa Council
and Gympie Regional Council local government areas.


Previous Council Consideration

Nil.

Finance & Risk

This item is collectively discussed in ‘Options’ within the report.




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