Annual Report 2008-2009 - Department of Transport

22
Recreational Boating Facilities Scheme
On 17 June 2009, the Minister for Transport announced that a record $1.7
million in grant funding had been allocated to successful applicants in
Round 14 of the Recreational Boating Facilities Grant Scheme (RBFS).
The RBFS, which is funded directly from recreational boat registration fees,
is a State Government grants program which provides improved recreational
boating facilities through joint funding to local government authorities, state
government departments and statutory authorities throughout Western
Australia.
Applications are invited to assist with the development of new, and the
upgrade of existing, recreational boating facilities such as: boat ramps,
jetties, navigation aids, signage, moorings, lighting, trailer parking, ablution
blocks, channels, groynes and fish cleaning facilities, as well as development
of feasibility or planning studies which benefit recreational boating.
Since its inception in 1998, $9.3 million has been allocated through the RBFS
to 203 projects throughout WA. Round 14 attracted 43 applications totalling
over $4 million in grant requests and is a testament to the ongoing need for
and the success of the scheme.
*This activity also relates to Goal 3 and 4.
www.transport.wa.gov.au/imarine
Marine safety education
The Department has a strong and on-going commitment to marine safety in
Western Australian waters.
In the past 12 months another 24,600 Recreational Skippers Tickets (RST)
have been granted to persons successfully completing the necessary
practical and theory requirements. This takes the total to 124,000.
The RST was introduced to ensure that people in charge of a recreational
vessel have at least a minimum level of skill and knowledge for their own
safety and that of any passengers and others using the waterways.
More recently, the marine safety education program has focused increasingly
on schools and has developed a range of courses and materials designed to
engage school students.
Two of these programs, Sea Trek and the schools RST have been endorsed
by the WA Curriculum Council and can be used as credits towards the
Western Australian Certificate of Education for high school graduation.
To date, 25 schools have adopted the RST program. After the Keys for Life
program (Drive Safe) for pre-driver education it is the most popular endorsed
program offered by the Curriculum Council.
A program called ‘Junior Crew’, aimed at primary schools, is currently under
development and will be trialled this year.
Youth awareness programs such as these are of great importance in promoting
boating competency and safe behaviour on the water. Approximately 15,500
students participated during the year in the Boatshed’s specific education
courses and awareness raising sessions.
*This activity also relates to Goal 3.
www.transport.wa.gov.au/imarine