SHADE IN COORAN STREETSCAPE · Report

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                       11 DECEMBER 2023


community gathering location.

An analysis of aerial images from Council’s aerial photography at Attachment 1, provides an
indication of the history of the umbrellas in this location. Whilst the aerial photos cannot provide a
wholistic picture, it indicates shade umbrellas appearing at the location as early as 2010, and being
present 2017/ 2018 and 2021/2022.

The tables were were funded by a Councillor's discretionary budget to provide public seating. It is
understood that temporary shade umbrellas were placed over the tables to provide comfort for
patrons, presumably by the proprietor of the adjacent business. The umbrellas were placed as a
courtesy rather than any under formal outdoor dining arrangement or exclusive use of the
tables. Council replaced the tables in 2023 due the age of the previous furniture, which removed
the ability to physically place the temporary umbrellas in the table top. Subsequent consideration
highlighted concerns for the liability and safety of the temporary umbrellas in this location, combined
with consistency of approach with other public locations in Noosa. In other outdoor locations,
adjacent business seek permission for an outdoor dining licence, and management and liability of
the temporary shade umbrellas formally rests with the adjacent business owner.

Subsequent communication highlighted concerns for the liability and safety of the temporary
umbrellas in this location, combined with consistency of approach with other public locations in
Noosa.

The business proprietors of the General Store at 12 King Street Cooran have made representations
to Council about the inadequacy of shade on the footpath, which is regarded as a key community
gathering location.

It is noted that the proprietors of 12 King Street have also recently submitted an application for a
Food Business Licence converting part of the premises into a café.

An analysis of constructed shade in the Cooran streetscape is provided in Figure 3 below.




Figure 3: Constructed streetscape shade in King Street, Cooran

Constructed shade is dispersed throughout the streetscape and in adjacent parks.