The new Festival State of Boating

Following its recent expansion to include Queensland and South Australia along with the NSW marine-industry, the Boating Industry Association has announced a bold plan to establish the 'Festival State of Boating.'

"This is all about putting some new 'pizazz' into boating to attract more people onto the water backed up by infrastructure investment to enhance boating and tourism-related experiences,” Howard Glenn, Chief Executive Officer of the Boating Industry Association of Australia, said.

Mr Glenn said South Australia could take centre stage and wear the 'Festival State of Boating' title with initiatives that could be adopted nationally to generate a new wave of participation in the boating lifestyle.

"We want to introduce boating festivals around the State and to promote Gulf St Vincent as the Adriatic Sea of the South for cruising and sailing adventure," he explained.

"The South Australian Government is receptive to our ideas and that is really pleasing.

"It will require close collaboration and partnerships between industry, government and communities to develop innovative new ideas and models to create an exciting future in boating for Australian families."

Mr Glenn said the recreational boating sector needed a modern outlook on education rather than regulation in the smaller boating sector.

"The voluntary recreational activities of people do not need a lot of central government attention," he explained.

"What does need attention are the infrastructure needs of people who enjoy boating and tourism experiences."

Mr Glenn outlined key parts of the boating industry’s strategy to create a new future for recreational boating.

"Firstly, there has to be a sharper focus on public access to waterways along with certainty of land ownership or tenure to encourage investment in boating facilities," he said.

"Destination planning is required to activate locations promoting boating and tourism experiences highlighting places to stay, eat, drink and enjoy. We need festivals of boating around our coastline and inland waterways with associated accommodation and hospitality experiences.

"A greater focus on safety and environmental education will create better outcomes from recreational boating while allowing boaters themselves to manage a clean and pristine environment."

The boating industry nationally already employs around 28,000 people, but the opportunities ahead require better access to apprenticeships and career guidance, Mr Howard said

“Finally, simplicity and flexibility are vital for better and more modern regulation of recreational boating.

"Squeezing big ship regulations on users of little boats is a thing of the past. We need more of a focus on education rather than regulation to help boaters themselves manage risks.

"Overall, we need innovation in delivery of infrastructure, marine management and regulatory requirements."

Mr Glenn said funding for the initiatives could come from a combination of boating registration, licence fees and infrastructure levies, with investment from government and industry where there is a clear business case based on jobs and tourism.

Stephen Mullighan, the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, said a more modern and flexible approach to regulation of recreational boating was vital.

Mr Mullighan said the State Government would look at "cutting dead wood" out of old regulations. We will add that South Australia's waterways, from the Gulfs to Kangaroo Island, are incredible rich and rewarding for boating activities. Investment in the state and SA boating is long overdue. More at www.bia.org.au.