BIAV urges Victoria’s hard-hit marine industries to band together

The Boating Industry Association of Victoria has urged anyone working in the recreational marine industry in the state to sign up with the group as it plans for future boat shows, event activations, boating participation, a range of advocacy and influencing scenarios, and industry education programs in the wake of the pandemic.

The industry is currently hit with a six-week stage four pandemic lockdown, which effectively rules out boating in greater Melbourne as well as creating challenges for dealerships and manufacturers that are forced to either reduce workforces or close their doors for the duration.

The current stage four restrictions are due to lift in mid-September.

“Despite all of the current challenges, and what the industry has been through in 2020, BIAV membership is strong,” BIAV president David Meehan said.

“People across the industry have had an increased awareness as to the value of an industry association in these times.

“The conduit to government, the influencing of outcomes, the advice offered, and the general industry support all seem to have been really well received”.

Rather than see a fall in numbers, the BIAV has experienced “double-digit” growth in membership, Meehan said, and the group was keen to grow stronger.

“The [BIAV] board, the CEO and the staff are super keen for everyone across the industry to be part of this,” he said.

“The costs are extremely low and the value can be returned over and over.”

Meehan said recent examples of industry advocacy have included sharing information about support packages available to the marine industries, advice on how marine businesses could operate under the various levels of COVID-19 lockdowns, and how they could best emerge once restrictions were eased.

“BIAV campaigned strongly to have boating and fishing permitted in stage two and stage three scenarios as people needed the therapy of it, and business needed the activity that it generates,” the BIAV said in a statement.

“Now in COVID stage 4, BIAV is working tirelessly to ensure all possible work that can take place across the industry, that can be done COVIDsafe, is being done.

“Members and even several non-members have greatly appreciated this, and again, membership has seen a subtle upward shift.”

The BIAV’s focus will now swing to the lifting of stage four COVID-19 lockdowns that are due to lift in Victoria in mid-September, with the current ban on recreational boating in greater Melbourne expected to ease.

“BIAV will continue to do this work whilst working toward other aspirations for the industry across boat shows, event activations, boating participation, a range of advocacy and influencing scenarios, and industry education programs,” it said.

The BIAV said it would also work with the NSW-based Boating Industry Association on “a range of initiatives including an ongoing campaign to promote boating and its virtues as the perfect COVID recovery remedy”.

The campaign is expected to focus on “how perfect boating is for isolating, getting into nature, being with family, mental wellness, general well being, day-tripping and tourism regrowth”.

The BIAV will have a virtual catch-up for industry members with president David Meehan and chief executive Steve Walker this morning.