Noosa Council confirms levy change will not reduce funding to Tourism Noosa

Noosa Council has made a public apology after a “messaging mistake” left some thinking it was cutting tourism funding.

Noosa Mayor Clare Stewart said removing the tourism and economic levy would not put Tourism Noosa funding at risk.

Noosa Mayor Clare Stewart made a public apology after a miscommunication left many thinking the council was scrapping its funding for a major tourism body.

The council's 2021-22 draft budget revealed it would remove the tourism and economic levy because tourism had become a core business of the local government.

The decision prompted submissions from the tourism industry and residents who believed this would end the council's funding agreement with Tourism Noosa.

Ms Stewart denied this and said it was a miscommunication and a "mistake on council's part".

She said they had failed to communicate that a removal of the levy would not change the long-term funding agreement with Tourism Noosa.

"Absolutely it was miscommunication … it was a messaging mistake on our part," she said.

"When we said tourism had become a core council business we should have said supporting Tourism Noosa had become a core council business."

At Wednesday's meeting several councillors spoke in support of Tourism Noosa after public feedback showed some residents questioned the organisation's value.

One submitter said it was inappropriate for the council to continue to fund Tourism Noosa when the industry was thriving.

"Little promotion is necessary … the tourism industry is placing a massive burden on liveability and services and infrastructure," they said.

Another said the organisation should fund itself through member contributions.

Ms Stewart said tourism was the region's largest industry and that initiatives once funded by the levy would now come under general rate revenue.

Corporate affairs director Michael Shave said the move was in line with Sunshine and Gold Coast councils.

He said the budget would include $2.52 million for Tourism Noosa, as per its five-year agreement.

Mr Shave said about 6000 properties paid the tourism and economic levy including short stay accommodation providers, commercial properties and resorts and motels.

Ms Stewart also requested that chief executive Brett de Chastel bring forward negotiations for a new funding agreement for Tourism Noosa, with the current deal to expire next year.

Originally published as 'Miscommunication' blamed after uproar over tourism funding