Recovery Plan helps local businesses bounce back

A nine-point Business Recovery Plan is helping local businesses return to trade, amid the COVID-19 restrictions. 

Boiling Pot Brewing Co owner John Scott Madill in the brewery’s mezzanine meeting area, which Council has approved for use as a temporary extension to the dining/bar area.

Councillors have pledged to support flexible ways to help business, and an idea flagged by Mayor Clare Stewart paved the way for Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort to repurpose its guest carpark while occupancy is lower.

“Councillor Amelia Lorentson took the lead and had a discussion with Sofitel’s General Manager Mark Wilkinson,” Mayor Stewart said.

“The resort will offer Hastings Street visitors access to extra paid parking bays along with Bay Village Noosa, in preparation for the school holidays.”

Mr Wilkinson said the Sofitel was pleased to provide its carpark from June 26 to mid-September.

“As businesses begin to reopen during these challenging times, it is great to see the council working with the business operators, paving the road to recovery,” Mr Wilkinson said.

“At Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort, it’s our pleasure to be a part of this as we support the local Noosa community, offering a discounted day rate parking of $25 at the hotel.”

Council staff are busy helping cafes and restaurants across Noosa balance their COVID-safe obligations with their need for commercial viability.

“It’s encouraging to see businesses come up with new and creative ways to keep the doors open, and we’re pleased to be able to support reasonable requests, particularly for temporary use permits to provide extra space to accommodate the number of patrons,” Mayor Stewart said.

At Noosaville, Council has approved a Boiling Pot Brewing Co request to use its mezzanine meeting area as a temporary bar/dining space.

“That allows us more capacity to host more people at the venue and to assist us in getting our financial numbers as close to normal as we can,” owner John Scott Madill said.

It’s a similar story at Noosa Junction where Council has granted Somedays Pizza a permit to turn a driveway into an evening outdoor dining area.

“The Noosa Business Roundtable, assembled by Council to lobby other levels of government for support, on behalf of businesses, during COVID-19, is now shifting focus to support businesses in the recovery,” Cr Stewart said.

The roundtable includes representatives from local business associations and Noosa MP Sandy Bolton.

Noosa Junction Association spokeswoman Judi Lalor said despite challenging times, Noosa’s business associations and Council were working proactively and collaboratively together at the regular roundtable sessions.

“The Business Roundtable journey was at first focused on advocacy and information flow to businesses, particularly around clarification of restrictions, agreements and legislation,” Ms Lalor said.

“That’s now switched gears as we look to recovery and Noosa Council has shown flexibility, responsiveness and a willingness to listen to specific issues faced by local businesses. Our pilot approach to temporary outdoor dining in Noosa Junction to adapt to COVID capacity restrictions is a great example of that.”