March 2012 - Boating Industry Association of NSW

A national perspective
on boating issues
by Nik Parker, General Manager BIAA
The boating industry in Australia has not been immune
to the recent impacts of global economic turmoil and
uncertainty. Concern about the increasing cost of living
has seen a dip (slide some may say) in consumer confidence
over the last 12 months, particularly in the industry’s core
market of family boating.
Coupled with a similar increase in the cost of doing business,
and the inescapable rise of offshore competition brought on by
the value of the local currency, distressed markets in Europe
and US and the modern consumer’s ability and desire to
source products directly, the day-to-day business of running
a boating business cannot have been tougher.
The boating industry is of course not alone in feeling the
pressure, but for an industry of such diversity of businesses
– sector, size, location, maturity – which relies on customer
discretionary spend, the impacts have been considerable.
This diversity is matched by the range of issues, over and
above the economy, which are starting to make a mark on
the boating industry. New national consumer legislation has
been introduced which, with a high profile of public awareness
from the government, requires that businesses are ever more
mindful of the quality of product and service that they offer
and provide.
New national health and safety legislation is also being
rolled in 2012, along with the, as yet for the boating industry,
uncosted but much vaunted carbon tax. Later in the year will see
the likely declaration of the first of a new wave of commonwealth
marine parks, followed
at the end of 2012 by
the implementation
of new national
legislation concerning
commercial vessels.
An additional workload
for any business to
keep a track of, let
alone attempt to
understand.
That’s where the
boating industry
associations come in,
to not only provide
members with Nik Parker, General Manager BIAA.
guidance, assistance,
training and if necessary direct support, in dealing with change
– whether brought on by the global economy or home-grown
government regulation – but also in developing and delivering
programs that will support the industry and help it to survive
and indeed expand.
But with the focus of all change being at the national level
– and therefore affecting the boating industry right across
Australia – a national coordination and response is required
to ensure all members benefit from the support, no matter
where in the country they are doing business.
The Boating Industries Alliance Australia, launched fully
just over a year ago, has taken on the role of representing
the industry nationally – making the case for recognition of
the industry and boating as a whole, as important elements
of Australia’s economy and lifestyle.
In representing the boating industry, it’s vital that BIAA has
access to up-to-date, credible, accurate and relevant data. We
can ascribe a value of somewhere between $5bn and $6bn
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Conditions apply. The 50-Point Safety Check is suitable for trailer boats under 8 metres long. The 50-Point safety check is not a pink slip or requirement of vessel registration. All observations, assessments
and recommendations relate specifically to the time of inspection. The 50-Point Safety check is a product of the Boating Industry Association of NSW Ltd and carried out by authorised members of the
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your 50-Point Safety Check inspection. Visit www.50pointcheck.com.au for a full list of conditions that relate to this product.
Boating Industry Association
of New South Wales Ltd
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BIA of NSW LOGBOOK March 2012 - 5