June 2010 - Boating Industry Association of NSW

… DIVISION NEWS … NEWS … NEWS … DIVISION NEWS …
and apparently without probity testing that is common in
other areas of Government.
The resulting report points to simple mathematics at the
heart of the matter, with NSW Maritime’s financial modelling
incorporating Cost of Capital and Rate of Return assumptions
that are grossly unrealistic.
In the current financial environment, $34 million dollars in
private investment is not to be sneezed at. The importance of
high-quality marina facilities to current boat owners and those
looking to enter the market should not be under estimated, as
convenience and economy increasingly influence recreational
spending decisions.
As many a boat-builder will attest, availability of berthing
for a large in-water boat can at times make or break a deal, a
fact that has for some year’s hamstrung the growth of boating
in Perth, with agonising consequences for builders, suppliers,
employees and their dependents.
Beyond the direct spend on building, expanding, or
improving marinas, it’s important to consider the multiplier
effect of investment, the on-flow impacts of financial activity
and resulting job-creation. The nature of marina development
is such that it has a fairly high multiplier effect. According
to one informed opinion, in the order of three to four times
direct expenditure.
Again taking into consideration the $34 million on the table,
this equates to as much as $100 million in gross economic
benefit, the kind of numbers that the state of NSW cannot
ignore if we are to see a reversal of current fiscal form.
As we await the formal response of NSW Maritime to the
latest exchange of views and information and at the insistence
of Maritime executives, BIA must now establish dialogue on
the matter with Minister Paul McLeay.
The Minister’s proximity to wider Government objectives
will hopefully deliver improved perspectives to a debate which,
in terms of rental dollars, is small change for NSW treasury. A
debate that none the less, has the capacity to keep a chokehold
on Sydney’s harbour-front infrastructure, and all who
stand to benefit from investment in our State.
50 Point Safety Check 2010
The 50 Point Safety Check Program has kicked off for the
2010 season with an increased area of coverage and
boosted marketing and promotional program. We welcome 14
new service providers amongst the 36 BIA members registered
for the 2010 program, this year servicing the coast from the
Shoalhaven to Port Macquarie.
An initiative of the Marine Industry Mechanical Repairers
Association (MIMRA), the 50 Point Safety Check is performed
by Trade-qualified technicians at certified BIA businesses only,
and provides a consistent and cost effective option for owners
to assess the safety-state of their boat and trailer package.
Promotion of this ‘professional once-over’ is focused in the
ANZAC Day to October Long Weekend period, traditionally a
low season for boating activity, and one in which participating
service-providers are best able attend to any faults identified
in the Check.
T h i s y e a r ’ s
campaign features
an enhanced print
media schedule and
new online banner
and column placements.
Aimed at those who put the boat to bed in May awaiting the
return of long warm days, the Program has been developed to
provide the time or knowledge-poor owner with the means to
stay on top of boat preparation and equipment maintenance.
This seasonal approach should ensure that the first day out
isn’t a boat-ramp nightmare, and the first weeks of summer
aren’t spent waiting for repairs.
Strong supporters, Marine Rescue NSW, will be helping to
spread the message to recreational boaters in their proactive
boating safety campaigns, as well as in their capacity as
first respondents to emergency situations of which many are
caused by mechanical failure.
In a scheduled review of the program minor changes
were made to the Safety Check for the 2010 program, the
high-quality feedback from participating members resulting
in modifications to the safety equipment component, and the
addition of a fuel test to identify ethanol content.
We’ve also had great feedback on the value of local
marketing and promotion of the service by participating
members, with those putting in the effort certainly reaping
the greater benefit. A number of providers have used the
product to augment their service to existing customers, or
provide a quality statement on used vessels consigned or
for retail sale.
Our thanks to Vaarzon-Morel Solicitors for their legal
support, and to Greg and Tim from Endeavour Marine for their
presentation to the Lake Macquarie participants’ workshop.
We continue to learn how to apply the 50 Point Safety Check
for the benefit of our clients, and therefore our businesses.
The sharing of knowledge amongst those in the Program is
great, and please keep this ball rolling with your comments
to the BIA and MIMRA team.
Thanks also to all who have registered to be part of the 50
Point Safety Check since inception, and to our promotional
sponsors and program supporters. We look to the next few
years to cement this product in the market as the annual
safety option for responsible boaters.
Rules relating to boat-trailer
service and repair
R
epresentatives of MIMRA met with the licensing division of
the Department of Fair Trading (DOFT) recently to review
legalities relating to the repair and service of boat trailers.
Further to inquiries from MIMRA members, advice was
sought from DOFT regarding where and when licensing
requirements apply to boat trailers, and the options for qualified
technicians and marine businesses to manage compliance
in this regard.
We were advised that boat trailers are classified as motor
BIA of NSW LOGBOOK June 2010 - 25