Craig Vella

QUESTION 1
The Go Noosa Interim report prepared by the Infrastructure Manager and tabled at item 8.1 of the General Committee Agenda considered on 20 January 2025:-
(a) recommended the cessation of both the Free Weekend Bus Services and the Go Noosa Free Bus Service for peak season (Service) in light of 50 cent bus fares implemented by the state government; and
(b) identified that the Service was funded to the amount of $900,000 through Council’s Sustainable Transport Levy. That recommendation was unanimously approved by Council and now necessitates a reconsideration and update of Council’s response given to public question 2 on 20 June 2024 given that existing services have now been curtailed* so please now advise:
Could the Sustainable Transport Levy which is budgeted to raise $933,000 in the 23/24 draft budget be used to repair and/or reconstruct the 'on land component' of the boat ramp and associated car and trailer parking at Hilton Esplanade or at any other boat ramp in the Noosa Shire? If not, then why?

Thank you for your question regarding the Go Noosa program and the potential use of the Sustainable Transport Levy for boat ramp and parking improvements. Firstly, to clarify, while the Sustainable Transport Levy is budgeted to raise approximately $933,000 in the 2023/24 financial year, these funds are allocated to various sustainable transport initiatives as outlined in report.  The Free Bus Service, while significant, does not account for the entire levy amount. Following Council’s recent decision to cease the Free Weekend Bus Services, options for the reallocation of these funds will be considered in due course. However, under the existing levy framework, all funded initiatives must align with the primary objectives of sustainable transport management, congestion reduction, and encouraging active and public transport use. The Sustainable Transport Levy is not intended to fund infrastructure improvements for private vehicle and boat trailer parking, including those at Hilton Esplanade or other boat ramps in Noosa Shire. As outlined in Council’s Transport policy, the levy is specifically designed to support initiatives such as public transport services, park-and-ride facilities, intelligent transport systems, and congestion management strategies. Council acknowledges the importance of boat ramp facilities and associated parking for the community and note that the ‘on-land component’ of the Hilton Esplanade boat ramp and parking area has been identified for planning and design work in the 2025-26 Financial Year. Council will also continue to explore funding opportunities for these desired upgrades. We appreciate your engagement on this matter and encourage continued community participation in shaping Noosa’s transport and infrastructure priorities.