2019-07-09 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                       9 JULY 2019


Event Impacts
The majority of submissions raised concerns with the impact of events on residents and existing
businesses, including:
 Lack of access to recreational areas, public spaces and tourist locations;
 Congestion and overcrowding;
 Road closures;
 Loss of quiet weekends for residents to enjoy Noosa’s attractions; and
 Increasing events numbers and event durations (including bump in and bump out times).
These concerns are consistent with community feedback and media coverage in recent years,
which led Council to respond with the adoption of the Main Beach Events Policy, establishment
of a Sustainable Tourism Stakeholder Reference Group, preparation of the draft Events Policy
and other associated studies. The new events policy addresses a clear policy need and will form
the key part of a framework (along with subordinate policies, plans and guidelines) allowing
Council to better manage the conduct and impact of future events in Noosa.
Capping of Event Numbers
Most of the submitters that expressed concern with the impact of events also called for a
moratorium on new events or a cap on overall event numbers. The draft policy notes Council
may seek to limit the number of events in key precincts, as it has already done on the Noosaville
foreshore and Noosa Main Beach. This wording is further strengthened in the amended policy
and includes the following new statement:
Tourism Events in the Hastings Street precinct are not to exceed 7 total events.
The Hastings Street precinct applies to Hastings Street, Main Beach, Main Beach West, Noosa
Woods and Noosa Lions Park. The table below provides the overall event numbers in the
precinct in recent years:

          Event Type                          2016            2017              2018

          Tourism                              6                7                  7
          (e.g. Noosa Tri, Noosa Food &
          Wine and Festival of Surfing)

          Community                            20              16               18
          (e.g. nippers carnivals, surf
          contests, ocean swims and charity
          events)

          Corporate                            27              29               26
          (e.g. corporate dinners, team
          building and conference events)

          Total:                               53              52               51

A cap on major events in this precinct is considered appropriate, as continued growth in numbers
would be contrary to the broad policy intent and sustained community feedback. Caps already
exist under the Main Beach Events Policy (including 7 tourist events) and this new provision will
align with and extend that cap to include Hastings Street, Noosa Woods and Lions Park and
provide greater clarity for residents. The potential to undertake new master planning for the
precinct is also discussed later in this report.




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