NOOSA EVENTS STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK, POLICY, AND GOVERNANCE · Report

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                            6 OCTOBER 2026


7.2.5        NOOSA EVENTS STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK, POLICY, AND
             GOVERNANCE


Author             Director Strategy and Environment, Director Development & Regulation ,
                   Kim Rawlings, Richard MacGillivray
                   Strategy and Environment Department, Development & Regulation
                   Department
Index              32.03 Draft Events Policy Submissions
                   34.75 Events Policies
Attachments        1.   Attachment 1 - Noosa Events Strategic Framework
                   2.   Attachment 2 - Noosa Events Executive Group TOR
                   3.   Attachment 3 - Noosa Events Management Policy


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Events play an important role in supporting community connection, cultural expression, local
business activity and placemaking across Noosa. They contribute to the social, environmental and
economic wellbeing of the community while helping to showcase Noosa's distinctive character,
lifestyle and environment. The role of events is recognised across a number of Council strategies,
including the Corporate Plan, Destination Management Plan, Economic Development Strategy,
Environment Strategy, Social Strategy, Cultural Plan and Sport & Active Recreation Plan.

To provide a more coordinated and integrated approach to event planning, funding, assessment and
governance, Council has developed the Noosa Events Strategic Framework 2026-2031, supported
by a new Noosa Events Management Policy with oversight by a new Noosa Events Executive Group.
The Terms of Reference for this group is attached to this report for Council consideration and
endorsement.

The development of the Framework also responds to Council assuming responsibility for the
sponsorship and strategic management of major destination events from July 2025, following the
transition of these functions from Tourism Noosa. The Framework provides Council with a clear
strategic direction, governance structure and decision-making framework to support this expanded
role.

The Noosa Events Strategic Framework 2026-2031 establishes Council's long-term vision, values,
guiding principles, strategic priorities and action plan for events across the Shire. It provides a clear
direction for how events will contribute to community, environmental and economic outcomes while
improving the shared event experience, managing impacts, supporting a balanced events portfolio
and leveraging future opportunities.

The proposed Noosa Events Management Policy replaces the existing Noosa Events Policy and
Noosa Main Beach Events Policy with a contemporary and integrated policy framework. The Policy
establishes Council's approach to the assessment, approval, management and oversight of events
conducted on Council-controlled land and provides the implementation framework supporting
delivery of the Strategic Framework.

Importantly, the Policy consolidates existing event assessment, governance and capacity
management provisions into a single document while maintaining the existing Main Beach event
limits and key policy settings previously adopted by Council. The Policy also strengthens event
governance, sustainability expectations, event organiser accountability, funding and permit
assessment processes, event organiser responsibilities regarding contingency planning, and