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INSIDE
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ONE PR OP ER T Y
Kilkivan a horse haven By Erle Levey It’s a celebration of horses … recognition of the role these magnificent animals play in our lives. The way in which they have helped in development of the land, and how they fit into society today. More than 400 horses and riders had registered to make their way down Kilkivan’s main street at the weekend of April 10-12 for the 40th anniversary of the Great Horse Ride. It was the focal point of a three-day festival highlighting the relationship between horse and rider. Continued page 8
Funding rejected By Margie Maccoll A three-year funding deed between Noosa Council and Tourism Noosa was rejected by majority at council’s general meeting on Monday, and with no Plan B on the table, the meeting was adjourned, before councillors returned and a new motion was raised that enabled discussion on the funding deed to continue at Thursday’s ordinary meeting. The direction of Noosa’s tourism and the funding agreement between council and Tourism Noosa (TN), council’s long-standing Local Tourism Organisation (LTO) has in recent years raised concerns in council meetings and in the community. There was division between councillors at its ordinary meeting in December when, with Cr Jess Phillips on leave, it was only with a deciding vote from the Chair that council adopted the Tourism Noosa Roadmap and endorsed ‘Option 2 – Evolve Tourism Noosa to align with the Destination Management Plan (DMP)’ as the immediate service delivery model. The DMP was also adopted in December. That meeting requested the CEO return with final terms for a multi-year funding deed for
council consideration which was presented on Monday. The funding deed proposed that Council would provide TN $2 million per annum (ex GST) for the next three years. Staff told the meeting the adopted DMP required a shift from a primarily promotional focus to destination stewardship, embedding community values, sustainability, behaviour change and measurable outcomes across marketing, visitor services and industry capability. “The Funding Deed gives effect to this shift. It preserves service continuity while strengthening accountability, aligning programs and reporting to the DMP, and clarifying roles, boundaries and governance between Council and TN. The Funding Deed introduces a ranked KPI framework, supported by a points-based performance adjustment methodology, enabling Council to assess performance not only on the number of KPIs achieved, but also on the relative importance of those KPIs,” the report states. A joint Council–TN Working Group led the drafting of the proposed Funding Deed, council’s legal counsel undertook multiple reviews, supported by an independent external legal review,
to test structure, enforceability and risk allocation, and council procurement advised on compliance with the Local Government framework and principles, the report states. “TN remains Council’s delivery partner for core tourism services, destination marketing and brand stewardship, trade and business events activity, visitor information services, research and insights, industry capability and partnerships,” according to the report. “Under the Funding Deed, these functions must be planned and delivered through a DMP lens, demonstrating how each activity advances community wellbeing, environmental stewardship and a resilient visitor economy. The Funding Deed and Schedules require TN to evolve its operating focus, with clear obligations to embed the DMP’s vision and principles in annual plans, campaigns and programs.” All councillors supported the capability and professionalism of TN and the work they had done in Noosa for the past 20 years. Cr Tom Wegener supported the deed, saying “we voted the DMP in, the DMP depends on TN for its success”. “In order to achieve the goals of the DMP, council can’t do it. TN has done a fan-
tastic job over past 20 years. The deed changes how TN is going to work to supplement the DMP. The DMP is a positive vision for the future.” Cr Amelia Lorentson raised questions on KPIs, consultation and the impact on tourism of potential external forces and said the question for her was whether council could enter into this funding arrangement or to commit in its current form. Cr Nicola Wilson said the funding decision should have only been for a 12 month agreement. A meeting last May committed council to consult with industry stakeholders and residents regarding any proposed funding decisions with TN. That never happened, Cr Wilson said. She said industry stakeholders and residents needed to be consulted about the dollar amount, the length of the agreement and the value for the community. The questions in the DMP survey weren’t enough to get a reliable response on levels and types of marketing, she said. “However we did get some levels of sentiment toward destination marketing in the DMP insights report,” she said. Continued page 2