2020-09-08 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                              8 SEPTEMBER 2020


Staff were initially very busy rescheduling events and refunding patrons as the impacts of COVID
set in. Since then they have undertaken a major piece of work to transition across to a new
ticketing system, including significant cleansing of the customer database. Staff have also been
kept busy by coordinating major maintenance projects at The J, helping out at other Council
venues and assisting various community groups with the distribution of meals to those in need
within the local community.

4.    SYSTEMS & PROCESSES AND OTHER MATTERS

    Building and maintenance works were completed at The J during the COVID shutdown.
      The works included sanding and recoating of all internal timber floors, considerable repairs
      and enhancements to the rear lower deck and associated boardwalk, completion of an
      under-ramp storage area, installation of a loading dock lifting platform and the addition of a
      deck ‘bridge’ to allow the personnel lifter access to the loading dock lifting platform and
      stage (previously this lifter could only access the theatre floor and deck areas). These
      works have alleviated a number of WHS and safety issues for staff and patrons alike and it
      was ideal to be able to complete the works while the centre was shut, as they would have
      been highly disruptive during normal operating conditions.

    As referenced earlier, staff also took the opportunity to transition to a new ticketing system
      during the COVID shutdown. The new system ‘TicketSearch’ is an upgrade of the previous
      system SABO and is now solely an Australian owned and based company that will provide
      more efficient service and support to staff and a better user experience for customers.

    The J was activated as a primary evacuation centre on a number of occasions throughout
      the Peregian and Cooroibah fire events in 2019. The centre accommodated approximately
      200 overnight on multiple occasions and the team performed brilliantly under pressure.

      While no doubt intense, the experience was highly valuable for the team, as the Peregian
      fires were an opportunity to put theory into action following several years of not needing to
      activate The J as an evacuation centre. Residents who sought shelter at The J were highly
      complimentary of the team’s efforts and it was great to be able to play a critical role in
      keeping the community safe at their highest time of need.

      There were a number of learnings gleaned from each period of operating the evacuation
      centre and these learnings are progressively being actioned to ensure we’re even better
      prepared for future events.

FUTURE DIRECTION
    Manage the challenges of COVID-19 and the ongoing impact of the operating restrictions.
      As restrictions stand now it is generally unviable for the theatre to operate given the heavily
      reduced capacity (total capacity comes down to roughly 20% which equates to around 80
      patrons). Meeting room hire restarted following completion of building works in late June
      and the team will do all they can to maximise revenue opportunities in this space.
    Review of The J’s booking system and consideration of alternatives.
    Development of new 5-year business plan.
    Ongoing liaison with Noosa FM to monitor and review their onsite operations and lease
      compliance.
    Ongoing liaison with USC-CIDSEL program. Currently this program is adversely affected
      by the COVID-19 travel restrictions which prevent a regular flow of international students
      from participating in the program onsite at The J.

Previous Council Consideration
Nil

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