Tourism Noosa to access contingency fund as pandemic strikes

Tourism Noosa will have access to its $350,000 emergency marketing fund to respond to the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic.

Council granted the tourism body access to the contingency fund so it can begin work on future marketing programs for the shire. 

Tourism Noosa will have access to its $350,000 emergency marketing fund so it can begin working on future marketing programs for the shire in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor Tony Wellington moved the motion as a Mayoral Minute at last night’s Ordinary Meeting.

“This will be an important facet of Noosa’s recovery from the economic impacts of COVID-19,” the Mayor said.

It’s the first time Tourism Noosa has requested access to the fund, which Council requires it to keep in order to respond to a global financial crisis, natural disasters, pilot strikes and other major events that impact tourism.

“Tourism Noosa can only access this Contingency Reserve with the approval of Council. The current pandemic is certainly an appropriate circumstance for Tourism Noosa to access these reserves,” the Mayor said.

Council also granted CEO Brett de Chastel special decision-making powers to ensure the organisation can keep responding to the pandemic during the pre-election caretaker period.

“It’s vital that our Council remains flexible and able to respond swiftly to the rapidly evolving pandemic. In particular we need to assist our residents, businesses and local economy through these difficult times.

“This community demonstrated fantastic mutual support and enormous compassion during the recent bushfire disasters. This new challenge will no doubt also bring out the best in our community. It is very important that we look after one another, with particular focus on the most vulnerable in our midst.”

Residents will go the polls on March 28. Council’s March 19 meeting was the last of the current term of office.

Mayor Wellington said the first meeting of the new Council was likely to be shortly after Easter, depending upon when the Returning Officer declared the poll results.