BIAVIC lobbies Federal Minister

The Boating Industry Association of Victoria recently met with the Federal Minister for Small Business, the Hon. Bruce Billson MP, to discuss the expansion of employment in the boating industry in Victoria, which already supports hundreds of small businesses and is set for expansion.

Victoria’s marine industry employs over 17,700 people and contributes $4.5 billion to the Victorian economy annually.

Statistically, the BIA says that there are more boats than caravans or motor cycles in Victoria.

Mr Billson got a first hand view of the industry when he toured the headquarters of Bar Crusher Boats, one of Australia’s most successful boat builders.

Steven Potts, Chief Executive of the BIAV said the projected increase of the population in the central coast area of Victoria, including Port Phillip and Western Port, from 4.6 million to nearly eight million by 2050, will see a doubling of boating activities which required long-term planning and increased production.

Eighty eight per cent of people buying boats prefer to purchase Australian Made water craft (2014 Boating Survey).

"Currently 95 per cent of the Victorian recreation vessels are trailered, less than eight metres in length with 68 per cent of Victoria’s 172,000 registered boats being operated on Port Phillip and Western Port Bays," said Potts.

"Lower interest rates are also playing a part making it easier and cheaper for people to finance buying a boat.

"Whilst this expansion creates funding challenges, it also creates an opportunity to increase employment in the marine and associated industries through areas such as boating destination tourism.

"Boating holidays are becoming more desirable to boat owners thanks to cheaper petrol prices, better trailers, larger trailable boats and rising inland waters."

Roy Morgan Research in 2014 found that 86 per cent of boat owners planned to take a boating trip within the next twelve months.

Mr Potts said boating destination tourism provided a valuable economic contribution to regional and country areas with expenditure in a range of areas from accommodation to food and fuel.