Noosa Council has reviewed its Commercial Use of Community Land Policy under which it regulates commercial businesses operating on Noosa Main Beach and will tender for new permits to be awarded once existing five-year permits expire on 30 June.
In its report to council last week staff said matters to be considered prior to the tender process included discontinuing two commercial activities (Kite Surfing Lessons at Noosa Spit and Beach Massage at Noosa Main Beach) and acknowledgement of the role of Noosa’s new Destination Management Plan (DMP) in the policy.
Council issues permits under two primary categories, being 10 Commercial High Use Permits at Noosa Main Beach that include one “iconic lifetime permit” awarded to Hey Bill, and 29 Commercial Low Use Permits located in other areas, allowing infrequent commercial activities comprising of fitness classes, eco tours and the like.
Current Commercial High Use permits include Learn to Surf lessons (Access 14 and 11), Beach Hire, Snacks and Drinks Refreshment (First Point and Noosa Spit), Beach Massage, Surf Dancing Lessons (Main Beach West), Kite Surfing Lessons (Noosa Spit) and Hey Bill’s mobile beach refreshments.
Staff said the permit for kite surfing lessons at Noosa Spit had been vacant since the business relinquished the permit in 2023, with no interest evident from other operators.
Changes to conditions in the river mouth had created challenging conditions making it an area more suited to specialist kite surfers not learners, staff said.
Staff have recommended Beach Massage, an activity that has been permitted on Main Beach since the 1980s be discontinued as the activity could be accommodated off the beach on private commercial land, such as beach front resorts or nearby commercial premises and its relocation would improve views and local beach access to better align with Council’s DMP.
Cr Brian Stockwell told the meeting a guiding principle key to the DMP involved ensuring locals were awarded the maximum use of beach land.
Staff said the owner of the refreshment van at Noosa Spit had relinquished the permit for the business 18 months ago after struggling to make a go of it but they recommended council tender for a permit there due to the ongoing level of interest from commercial operators and changed conditions including the re-opening of Doggie Beach and changes to parking controls.
Staff said the 2026 tender material and draft permits would be aligned with the DMP and address aspects such as parking demand, regenerative tourism, surf education and stewardship, and environmental initiatives.
The next commercial permits would also likely to be impacted by major works planned in the precinct, including the Main Beach rock wall renewal and Noosa Heads Surf Club redevelopment, according to the report.
The public tender process for the commercial permits is expected to be released this month with tenders to be assessed by an assessment panel under the oversight of an independent probity advisor and a report to council recommending successful tenderers to follow. New Commercial High Use permits will then be issued prior to their commencement on 1 July 2026.
Councillors voted in favour of staff recommendations with the final decision to be made at council’s ordinary meeting on Thursday 19 February.
