AFTER 1460 continuous days operating on Noosa’s Main Beach, local business Go Ride A Wave Hire has said goodbye to the golden sands of Noosa Main Beach.
The business missed out on a permit renewal following the Noosa Council permit overhaul earlier this year.
Following de-amalgamation, all 14 beachside businesses with permits were extended until 30 June 2014 by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council to allow Noosa Council time to consider its policy position.
In April, the Noosa Council adopted a new permit policy called the Commercial Use of Community Land Policy, which called for changes to the structure including an increased permit fee to help cover administration costs and a limit of two permits per permit holder.
Go Ride A Wave owner Peter Fidler said they had accepted the loss but maintain losing the hire part of his business would have a huge impact on staff and business.
“We’re asking the community to hang with us,” he said. “We’re grateful for everyone’s support over the past years.”
But, Peter remains optimistic about the future, with the business securing a permit renewal for their surf lessons at Beach Access 11 in Noosa West Beach.
“We still have out surf lesson business. We love teaching people to surf and share with our customers, just how great surfing is,” he said.
Go Ride A Wave began surf lessons in Noosa in 2006 and will continue to run surfing lessons on a daily basis from Beach Access 11.
Peter said now is the perfect time for locals to show their support for businesses that employ local people, with four university students employed by Go Ride A Wave.
“If you have not yet tried surfing, or need your kids taught by full qualified, expert instructors then call us,” he said. “You will have a fabulous time and you’ll be in safe hands.”
There are now 11 high-use permits currently operating at Noosa Main Beach precinct. The beach hire permit previously held by Go Ride A Wave for four years has been reassigned to another company who will set up business in front of the Noosa Heads Surf Club over the next few weeks.
