BIA Vic pleads for help

Since 1961 successive State Governments have collected fees from recreational boaters for the purpose of funding boat ramps. This has reached the point that boaters are now being charged registration fees, licensing fees, Boating Safety and Facilities fee, launching/parking fees, taxes on fuel and other general taxes.  Contributing approximately $30 million to state coffers.

For too long not enough of these funds have been invested back in maintaining, developing and managing recreational trailer boat infrastructure.

The Boating Industry Association of Victoria says that it has continually told Government that trailer boat ramps and parking facilities are not adequate to meet the existing demand let alone any future growth in boating.

The BIA believes it is not good enough and boaters are fed up. "We now need boaters themselves to give the Minister a very clear message that the Victorian boating community needs better facilities," the BIA said in a statement.

A snap shot of the problem around Port Phillip and Western Port Bay shows that less than three per cent of recreational boaters can launch on any single day.
The BIA's report went on to point out that:
>> 172,000 registered recreational vessels in Victoria (Sept 30, 2013)
>> 98 per cent of all registered vessels are trailerboats
>> 68 per cent of the registered trailerboats use Port Phillip and Westernport Bay
>> 140,000 recreational vessels (registered/non registered) use Port Phillip and Western Port Bays
>> Less than 3000 car trailer unit spaces are provided at metropolitan boat ramps (i.e. WP and PP Bays)
>> Therefore if any more than three per cent want to go boating and we have gridlock and mayhem.

In 2011-12 the government collected approximately $30 million dollars in fees directly from boaters. This includes $10 Million dollars for the Boating Safety and Facilities Program fee. The State Government spent $2.64 Million dollars last year under the Infrastructure category of the Boating Safety & Facilities Program.

The BIA wants boaters to let the Minister know your views and believes with an election due next year this issue could be pivotal.

The Hon David Hodgett -- Minister for Ports. Email Address: david.hodgett@parliament.vic.gov.au

The BIA has set up a brief survey on its website that it is encouraging all boat owners to fill out so that it can lobby the government to spend more on boating infrastructure. To access the survey go to: www.biavic.com.au/victorian-boater-infrastructure-survey/