Marina Survey highlights commitment to environment

THE preliminary findings from the annual Health of the Australian Marina Survey have been released. Despite tough trading conditions the survey highlights that more marinas are committed to increase spending on improvements to environmental related facilities and technologies. There is a 16 per cent increase (to 39 per cent) in the number of marinas across Australia that anticipate spending more this financial year than last on new or improved environmental protection/enhancement facilities and technologies.

The survey was administered by the Recreational Marine Research Centre for the Marina Industries Association of Australia (MIAA). 106 marinas or 31 per cent of all Australian marinas participated in the survey.

MIAA President Andrew Chapman said: “the annual survey is a reflection of the sector’s growing maturity and its capacity to lead informed debate about the important economic, social and environmental roll marinas can play within waterside communities”.     
       
Of the surveyed sites, 85 per cent of the marinas anticipate employment to be at the same level this year as last, while 11 per cent are expecting to increase employment. A previous study by RMRC for MIAA indicated Australian marinas employee on average 17 people. The survey result is positive news for the many coastal communities that have marinas.

Nearly half or 49 per cent of marinas expect gross revenues to be up this financial year with just 4 per cent anticipating a drop in revenues. 52 per cent of marinas anticipate paying more taxes and lease payments this present financial year, while 41 per cent project increased capital expenditure. This indicates a possible issue for some marinas given limited security of tenure of the sea bed area and the need for regular capital expenditure given the weather exposed nature of marina infrastructure.
 Andrew Chapman believes that some government authorities do not appreciate the wider benefits of marinas.

“Excessive taxes and lease charges in some states are inhibiting the potential of marinas from flourishing as strong economic, employment and social hubs with their local communities” he said.