372d6357-5fed-42bf-b7aa-4845c9aea086

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                            25 FEBRUARY 2014


The appeal of Noosa combined with the return of the Noosa Council has encouraged all nature of
businesses to approach Council to seek permission to operate commercial businesses on
community land.

A policy/framework is essential to administer Council’s approach to these permit applications as
opposed to an ill-considered, ad hoc approach, for the following reasons:

   it is a highly competitive and at times complaint driven area;
   the locations are highly desirable community land parcels which the community value for
    recreation; and
   areas are highly patronised by tourists and locals; and
   possible conflict with commercial businesses with significantly higher overheads operating
    similar services.

Consequently, a strategic approach involves assessment of all applications periodically so that
the range of competing priorities between the community and the commercial sector are
considered together. Currently, this occurs every three years and also occurred at this interval
with the previous Noosa Council.

Total fees payable to Council are currently approximately $25,000 per annum (including the 10
year ice cream van permit and the mobile refreshment iconic lifetime permit fees). There is also a
cost to Council to administer these permits. This includes managing the application process and
assessment of applications, processing of fees, complaints and enquiry management and the
cost to enforce compliance as required.

A further report will be submitted to Council which will address:

   current activities and locations;
   a future framework/policy for administration;
   a tender process; and
   a fee structure for permitted activities.

FINANCE & RISK

The costs that will be incurred in the administration of the permits are accommodated in Council’s
operational budget and predominately as labour costs within the Organisational Services
department.
The risk of not endorsing a policy and by default encouraging an inconsistent approach and
therefore unfettered growth of these activities exposes Council to criticism from the community
which value recreational space, and commercial businesses and existing permit holders whereby
existing profitability may possibly be compromised.

CONSULTATION

External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
In February this year, Council conducted consultation with current permit holders. All permit
holders have been contacted and encouraged to provide feedback on issues related to their
permits, appropriate locations, activities and a possible future approach to issuing permits by
Council. Many of the permit holders either visited Council offices, or have provided written
feedback.




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