Victoria’s boat ramps caught in election tussle

Victoria’s Opposition has pledged to improve access at overcrowded boat ramps around Port Phillip Bay if it is voted into power in the next state election.

The Liberal National Coalition has proposed using millions of dollars that recreational water users pay into the state’s purse via licencing and access fees to create the Blue Infrastructure Fund. It will help fund more boat ramps, jetties, and navigational lighting, as well as onshore facilities including bigger car parks and more cleaning tables.

“Boating users raise significant revenue for the Victorian Government through boat licensing and other financial arrangements,” Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said.

“In 2016-17 the Andrews Labor Government returned just 11.6 per cent of the $27.7 million annual boating revenue on boating infrastructure.

“The $3.23 million spent by Labor compares to investment in NSW of $17 million and in Queensland of $15 million annually.

“The Blue Infrastructure Fund will invest in infrastructure like more boat ramps, jetties, navigational lighting and onshore facilities that improves access, enjoyment and protection to Victoria’s waterways.”

Guy said the state would also follow NSW’s lead and appoint the Victorian Ports Corporation Melbourne (VPCM) to manage the rollout of new facilities throughout the state, and not just limited to the bay.

“The VPCM has the appropriate expertise to oversee and coordinate all planning, funding, construction and maintenance of marine infrastructure in Victoria,” Guy said.

Victorian Ports Minister Luke Donnellan said the Coalition needed to come clean on its plans to cut funding for marine safety operations to pay for the fund.

“We’re investing in boating infrastructure, with major work is underway on Seaford Pier as part of an extra $5.2 million for piers and jetties in this year’s budget,” Donnellan said.

“Our $46 million Target One Million plan is getting more people fishing right across the state, and we’ve boosted funding for vital water safety operations – including water police, search and rescue and Transport Safety Victoria.”

Victoria has about 193,000 registered boat owners contributing an estimated $4.5 billion to the state’s economy each year via related industries. Recreational fishing licences contribute about another $7 billion a year in direct and indirect benefits.

The Boating Industry Association of Victoria (BIAV) recently launched RampRage.com.au, an internet-based campaign aimed at pressuring both the Opposition and the Andrews Labor Government to dedicate more resources to the state’s boat owners.

It says the equivalent of just $3 million a year is spent on improving the infrastructure that gives access to the bay.

The BIAV claims the reasons the state’s public boat launching facilities are “so bad” include shrinking car parks and a limited number of parking spaces, underinvestment, and complex management by “people who believe boating isn’t important”.

BIAV chief executive Steve Walker said it was now the turn of the ruling Labor State Government to show what it would do to fix its relationship with boaters.

“With our revenue, of the $27 million collected, only $3 million is spent as it should be,” Walker said.

“About $5 million of that is paid to VicRoads to collect the money, and we also spend several million dollars on compliance at boat ramps and so on, which we accept as necessary, but it’s currently acting as an impediment rather than encouragement.

“We’d like to see that changed for the better.”

Under the Marine Safety Act, fees collected by government can be used for the provision and maintenance of boating facilities and services for the public, and for boating safety, education and promotion programs.

The next Victorian state election will be held on Saturday, November 24, 2018.