By JONATHON HOWARD
TROPICSURF Noosa manager, Tim Mitchell, fears a Noosa Council decision to reduce three licences to two for surfing lessons on Main Beach could jeopardise the future of his business and leave him jobless.
Mr Mitchell said he received the news last week that Tropicsurf’s long-held licence Surf Permit 3 on Main Beach would be at risk.
“It is deeply disappointing that council has made this decision to cut out the third licence on the beach, effectively shutting down one Noosa business in council’s first meeting regarding beach permits,” he said.
Council voted to change the three licence policy down to two in a split decision during a recent council meeting.
The decision was made after council’s co-ordinator of property and land management, Clint Irwin, revealed there were 14 activities being undertaken by 11 permit holders.
Main Beach surf school operators will now be forced to vie for one of only two allocated licences.
“From reading the council minutes alone, the issues seem to be relating mainly to beach use and overcrowding. The three surf schools have worked well together over the difficult local government transition time but now have to go head to head to gain one of the two permits,” Mr Mitchell said.
“The fairest outcome would have occurred by just reducing surf school permit number one, bringing them in line with the other permits.”
Mr Mitchell said surf permit one would be paying a lot less than it ever did under Noosa Council.
“But it gets to keeps its large numbers, while I won’t have a job – that hurts!” he said.
Tropicsurf Noosa has been operating in Noosa for 25 years. The business made a decision to adopt a low-impact business model 10 years ago, which has a minimal number of four surfers in the water at any time.
“Many of Noosa’s sons and daughters are employed by Tropicsurf in different luxury surf locations around the world, who naturally refer their guests back to their home,” Mr Mitchell said.
“It would be disappointing in the least to have to say we can’t offer a service in our home town due to this decision.
“The surf coaching licence we hold is pivotal in caring for our clients.
“Tropicsurf feels we are well placed to get one of the remaining surf lesson licenses on Noosa Beach, but are saddened by the nature of this process that one business will cease to exist at the end of it.
