NEWSLETTER
Print Post Approved PP2411613/00057&8 ACN 000 618 468
The official newsletter of the Boating Industry Association of NSW Ltd
marine15 “best ever” Page 8
Federal Budget Summary Page 12
June 2015
LOGBOOK
LogBook
June 2015
NewsLetter
The official newsletter of the Boating Industry Association of NSW & SA Ltd PO Box 1204 CROWS NEST NSW 1585 PO Box 10262 Adelaide Business Centre SA 5000
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ABN: 61 000 618 468
NSW: Tel: (02) 9438 2077 Fax: (02) 9439 3983 Email: info@bia.org.au SA: Tel: (08) 8340 9641 Fax: (08) 8340 7061 Email: info@boatingsa.com.au www.bia.org.au www.MyBoatingLife.com.au www.boatingsa.com.au www.SydneyBoatShow.com.au
www.50PointCheck.com.au www.shipwrights.com.au www.boatshows.com.au www.boatforlife.com.au www.fishboatvote.com.au
BIA NSW & SA Board President: Alan Blake Vice-President: Robert Cuming Treasurer: Lyndon Turner Directors: Simon Cook, Michael Jarvin, Craig Evans, Peter Tucker Company Secretary: Roy Privett
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General Manager’s Reports
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Marine15 hailed as “best ever” Federal Budget 2015-2016 in Summary
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Benefits of Membership
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E-News wrap
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BIA Advocacy and Industry Development
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Strengthening Australia’s Foreign Investment
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BIA Staff General Manager NSW — Roy Privett General Manager SA — George Bolton Marketing & Events Manager — Domenic Genua Financial Controller — Simon Hazelbrook Manager BIA Divisions — Alan Barrett Member Support & Development — Aaron McKenna Education & Training Coordinator — Corrina McMillan Operations Manager — James Thompson Marketing & Events Coordinator — Robyn Wingrove Marketing & Communications Coordinator — Megan Robson Secretary: Linda English
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NSW Councillors President: Alan Blake Vice-President: Simon Cook Treasurer: Lyndon Turner Councillors: Bill Breakspear, Paul Burgess, David Randall, Jon Hunt, Michael Jarvin, Ken Bullen, Alan Steber, Shannon Stocks, Terry Wise
SAeditorial Councillors Please send contributions to Domenic Genua atRob genua@bia.org.au Chairman: Cuming For advertising rates contactCraig the BIA (02) 9438 2077 Vice-Chairman: Evans Secretary: Peter Tucker Councillors: David Binks, Alan Buckley, Andrew Craddock, Trish Flaherty, Dean Forster, Peter Heinrich, John Marini Logbook gratefully acknowledges all that have contributed to this edition. In particular: Roy Privett Editorial; Bob Wonders Media Service (07) 5562 2867; Trevor Gill The Lighthouse Public Relations 0418 821 948; Robin Copeland SPINS 0414 266 768
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Grahame Anderson’s global Hydrive
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Brokers Breakfast
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Bolton’s new role with BIASA
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Radio Reekie
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Club Marine Trailer Boat Fishing Tournament
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Education Centre at Watsons Bay Pilot Station
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Front Cover: New Boating Safety Education Centre at Watsons Bay Pilot Station. Please send editorial contributions to Domenic Genua at genua@bia.org.au For advertising rates contact the BIA (02) 9438 2077 © Copyright 2015 BIA of NSW & SA. The opinions, advice and information contained herein have not been sought by any member or any other person but are offered as an information service and should not be relied upon as a substitute for detailed advice or as a basis for formulating business decisions. BIA intends by this statement to exclude any liability for any such opinions, advice or information within this publication.
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s we head into a critical part of our year, the Adelaide Boat Show to be staged Thursday 25th to Sunday 28th June has been the focus of BIASA planning and will deliver their biggest show in a number of years, with all major dealers participating in this boating showcase for South Australia.
The activities and achievements are covered in the BIA Annual Report which can be viewed at www. bia.org.au.
Likewise the Sydney International Boat Show from Thursday 30th July to Monday 3rd August enters its second outing at two great locations on Sydney Harbour. Keep up to date on our planning and promotions; What’s On, Visitor Information, Exhibitors, Media Updates and Tickets by regularly visiting www.sydneyboatshow.com.au.
The BIASA also held an AGM and elected a new SA Council which is reported upon by George Bolton in this edition of Logbook. Chairman of the BIASA Council is Rob Cuming and Vice Chairman Craig Evans.
We are again delighted that the Maritime Management Centre has come on board to form a strategic safety partnership, on behalf of Transport for NSW in support of the Sydney International Boat Show. This presents a tremendous opportunity for our combined efforts in delivering important safe and responsible boating messages, and to raise awareness of the maritime access and reform program. By becoming a safety partner, the aim is to reinforce and extend the Transport for NSW Lifejacket Wear Campaign to the general public, exhibitors, and industry representatives. Safe boating is a shared principle objective of both Transport for NSW and BIA.
The big news is BIANSW and BIASA are now completely merged and held their first State Council elections. It is tremendous to report that two other State bodies, namely Marine Queensland and BIAWA, having observed our progress and structure have entered formal discussions to join into a single entity. Any decision for a merger will be in the hands of their members and we trust this will happen in coming months.
At our BIANSW Annual General Meeting the 2015/16 NSW Councillors were declared elected unopposed. Subsequently the Council elected Alan Blake President, Simon Cook Vice –President and Lyndon Turner Treasurer to take the helm for a third consecutive year.
This new structure to better represent the boating industry with the integration of boating industry associations will provide new opportunities to explore areas of growth and services for all members with extensive event production, marketing, communication and government advocacy. (… cont. over page)
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BIA of NSW & SA LOGBOOK June 2015 - 3
Our new BIA NSW & SA Association is also in the final stages of a process for the Houseboat Hirers Association Inc., who is based in Adelaide, to become a new Division and provide a new range of services for the Murray River fleet and other waterways. Watsons Bay Pilot Station Boating Education Centre renovation by Transport for NSW is now complete with the installation of a new pontoon system and will be opened by Minister for Ports and Freight Duncan Gay on Tuesday 30th June. All boating and training equipment has been provided by BIA via a grant provided by the Water Safety Black Spots Fund, Ministry for Police and Emergency Services. This facility will support the BIA and Transport for NSW objective to educate and promote safe boating practices. It is a great testament to the co-operation between Transport for NSW, Boating Industry Association and the Marine Teachers Association to bring this initiative to life. Our industry can be very proud of what has been delivered. In our June edition of Logbook you will find many reports and articles of interest from an Enews wrap up on issues you may have missed, SA activities and AGM together with waterways infrastructure and access initiatives, BIAA’s Agenda and Marine15 national conference. Alan Barrett presents a snapshot of BIANSW advocacy and Industry development. This illustrates BIA working with all levels of government that ensure physical and the regulatory environment is boating and business friendly. Likewise BIASA has achieved close government relationships to support and assist the recreational boating industry. It is also an exciting time for Marine Card with the Refresher Course now available on line, the development of an on line Marine Card Course and the conclusion of a trial period for the Marine Card Management Access System to usher in a
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Logbook
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Inserts also available Members $300.00 Non-members $600.00 All prices are for finished artwork supplied by the advertiser and exclude GST. Advertising is subject to space availability and the BIA reserves the right to reject advertising. For publication dates and specifications, please email info@bia.org.au
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4 - June 2015 BIA of NSW & SA LOGBOOK
new level of management in marine workplaces and Work Cover compliance. Your comments on any topic are most welcome. The NSW and SA Directors, Councillors Division Chairman and Staff are always available to discuss with you any matters or assistance you may require. We look forward to a catch up during this year’s round of boat shows. Roy Privett, General Manager, BIA NSW
Farewell ... and Welcome Belinda Close The Boating Industry Association farewelled long time team member Belinda Close in January. Belinda was well known to many of our members as our Operations Manager looking after much of the planning and building of our boat shows. Belinda left the BIA after eight excellent years, assisting and contributing to the growth and quality of the shows we own and operate. Belinda left the BIA to join an organisation that is a friend of the BIA, Harry the Hirer, looking after some special projects. Belinda leaves the BIA with our best wishes and we no doubt will be crossing paths with Belinda again in the future.
James Thompson As we farewell Belinda, we are also pleased to announce the appointment of James Thompson as BIA Operations Manager. James was already part of the BIA family having served as the Marina Manager for the Sydney International Boat Show for the past eight years. James in joining the BIA will handle the Operations and Logistics of its events. His current expertise, industry knowledge as well as his in depth understanding about the Sydney Inter national Boat Show made him the ideal candidate for the position. James will be a valuable asset to the industry.
BIASA General Manager’s Report
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t the BIA SA Annual General Meeting on 15 April 2015 and the subsequent BIA SA Council meeting, the following members were elected to the BIA SA Council and the office bearers were declared.
Rob Cuming (Chairman) Craig Evans (Vice Chairman) Peter Tucker (Secretary) David Binks Alan Buckley Andrew Craddock Trish Flaherty Dean Forster Peter Heinrich John Marini
Christies Beach Marine Cruising Yacht Club of SA Inc. Houseboat Hirers’ Association Binks Marine Riverdance Houseboat Marina Adelaide Nautilus Marine Stress Free Marine Sports Marine I.C. Frith
George Bolton was appointed General Manager of BIA SA effective from 1 April 2015. He began working at the BIA on 1 February and has since travelled extensively around South Australia meeting current and past members and potential new members. Another priority for George has been in generating exhibitor support for the 2015 Adelaide Boat Show in June. As a result, the show should be the biggest presented in recent years with many BIA members and major dealers participating in the industry event. George was also active in promoting the benefits of members attending the Marine15 conference on the Gold Coast in early May. The three-day conference and associated trade exhibition was very successful attracting 430 delegates and more than 50 high calibre speakers. George served on the BIA SA Board/Council from 2000 to April 2015. He was BIA SA President from 2007 to 2012, and was a member on the National AMIF/BIAA Board from 2007 until April this year, including the position of Treasurer from 2011 to 2015. He was also a Board member of BIA NSW & SA Ltd from its inception last year until April 2015. George sold his business, Boltons Kawasaki, in 2012 after 39 years in the enterprise. He then enjoyed a sabbatical completing numerous projects before he accepted a BIA request to manage the South Australian division, as Glen Jones was transitioning into a key special projects role with the Association. This edition of Logbook features more detailed profiles on Rob Cuming and George Bolton. With his expertise and wide experience in the boating sector, Glen has moved into the position of BIA SA Manager Special Projects and Government Relations. In this capacity, he will continue to seek funding and manage processes for vitally needed infrastructure and services along the length of the River Murray in South Australia.
Adelaide Boat Show
The 2015 Adelaide Boat Show from 25 to 28 June attracted the biggest involvement of boating industry dealers for many years to create a spectacular showcase of latest brands, products and state-of-the-art technologies for boating, water sports and fishing enjoyment. “We are excited by the response from exhibitors with the major industry outlets in the State participating in this year’s event at the Adelaide Showground, Wayville,” George Bolton said.
“Through the Adelaide Boat Show, the BIA strives to present the products, experience and expertise of its members while promoting recreational boating as a safe and enjoyable pastime. “The Boat Show also highlights outstanding boating facilities and tourism attractions around the South Australian coastline and along the River Murray and Lakes.”
New boating facilities
New infrastructure has been commissioned through the State’s Boating Levy Fund with support of local councils. In March, the Minister for Transport, the Hon. Stephen Mullighan MP, visited Kangaroo Island to open an upgrade of the ramp and jetty at the Bay of Shoals, open the completed marina and associated services at Christmas Cove, Penneshaw and inspect revised plans for a major facility at Emu Bay. Minister Mullighan was accompanied on the Kangaroo Island visit by Rod Payze, Chairman of the South Australian Boating Facility Advisory Committee, and Glen Jones.
River Murray Infrastructure Project
Work continues to secure funding for enhanced boating, tourism and leisure infrastructure and services along the length of the River Murray in South Australia. This funding is being sought from the South Australian Government through the South Australian River Murray Sustainability Program, and the Regional Development Infrastructure Fund. The next edition of Logbook will provide a more detailed update on this issue. George Bolton, General Manager, BIA SA
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BIA of NSW & SA LOGBOOK June 2015 - 5
BIAA General Manager’s Report
Information, education and inspiration – that was marine15
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arly May saw close to 430 marine industry professionals gathering at the Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast for the second edition of the whole-of-industry conference, marine15. A much heralded and anticipated event, from the point of view of hitting the mark on so many metrics, marine15 can certainly be said to have delivered exactly what it promised. The exhibition was beyond full with larger displays spilling out on to the lawns alongside the conference venue; the gala dinner was sold-out; reports from sponsors suggested all were more than happy with their recognition; delegates feedback on presenters was invariably excellent; presenters themselves have reported good levels of post-conference follow-up from delegates. Perhaps the best accolades were reserved for the catering and general venue facilities: not always the easiest to get right at an industry conference, but marine15 and Royal Pines really did seem to keep everyone well fed, well watered and well entertained. Entertainment commenced early with the inaugural marine industry golf morning teeing off on the Australian PGA Championship Golf Course at 7am on the Sunday morning when 48 players had a competitive start to the proceedings, with the foursome challenge taken out by no-other than the BIAA and MIA General Managers. There was some support in way of a semi-pro industry colleague from Queensland and one of Bellingham’s international speakers from the USA, but a very credible score of 5-under after nine holes (before handicaps even…) did wonders for the morale with the marine15 official opening only an hour after the prize-giving. Opening the conference was the Hon Karen Andrews, MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry, and coincidentally the local federal member for the southern parts of the Gold Coast. In a clearly well researched speech, Karen noted the world-class performance of several Gold Coast marine industry players, including Riviera, Telwater and marine15 gold sponsor Superior Jetties. The speech addressed a number of topics, with the key issue of industry skills and training a core focus. The announcement of new measures to support VET and provide a clearer pathway
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for industry to engage in skills development was welcomed by all in attendance, albeit that the detail will undoubtedly take some time to emerge. Setting the scene on what the industry and government stakeholders should expect from the changing cultural and social make-up of the Australian population was well-known commentator Bernard Salt, a senior partner with KPMG and a regular author and columnist on the vital topic of demography. Bernard highlighted the changing drivers of different generations, with some unique identifiers shared with the packed conference room to explain how a baby-boomer sees the world somewhat at odds to a gen Y or even gen Z. Bernard suggested industry should be focusing efforts on attracting PUNCIMs, being wary of KIPPERs, finding new opportunities to engage NETTELs. The LOMBARD was recognized as a prime prospective customer, but perhaps not always the preferred one … The array of international experts speaking at marine15 was complemented by home-grown talent from the marine industry and beyond, with one of the key learning methodologies being to listen to how another country or sector has tackled similar issues and how their hard-won experience can be translated into practice in the Australian marine industry. All were happy and keen to share their success stories, leaving delegates with practical advice and take-away tips and techniques to put into practice when back at the boat yard, the marina or factory. One of the key presentations, from high-end consumer sales champion, Dean Giakoumakis of the Bayside Automotive Group, asked the marine dealers present to think about how they convert the sales enquiry into real, meaningful and repeat business, making use of financial products to secure the sale and add to the bottom line. With a ‘take-no-prisoners’ approach – to both the sales process and the presentation – Dean challenged the industry to do better. He noted very low rates of consumer finance in the marine industry compared to automotive and suggested the industry was missing out on a major boost to income and profitability. The packed room and many eager questions suggested there would be a race back to the boat yard to rethink some of the fundamentals of selling.
magic
Immerse yourself into boating It’s where the happens The ‘crew’ at marine15 – Domenic Genua (Marketing & Events Manager, Roy Privett (General Manager, BIA NSW) and Aaron McKenna (Member Support & Development).
Explaining the way boats are now selling online and to demystify the thinking of a consumer when looking to buy, speakers from two of the country’s leading boat sales platforms provided delegates with an early morning workshop on how to utilise data and business information systems and a masterclass in marketing and consumer behaviour. David Campsell of marine15 Platinum Sponsor boatsales. com.au and Tim Van Duyl of media partner Trade-A-Boat gave an excellent insight into what boat buyers are thinking, how sellers are responding and provided tools to employ in the dealership to learn from and improve upon past business and communications. Invaluable insights in a tightening market. Helping delegates think about how to make more of the sale when they do finally get the boat buyer to the yard was MD of John Crawford Marine and MQ President Matthew Hodson on the art of the service walk around. A very well structured and thought-through presentation was delivered with the expert knowledge and showmanship befitting of one of Queensland’s premier dealers, turning the everyday sales closing into a feast of add-on options, special packages and service follow-ups, all designed to improve the customer experience – as well as bolster the dealers profit line. As one of the closing presentations of a packed two days, Matthew’s presentation brought together many of the earlier sessions with a number of learnings clearly having made the mark with him. It wouldn’t be unexpected to see changes being made at JCM before the dust had settled at marine15… Logbook provides the opportunity for only a snapshot of the learnings from marine15. To fully benefit, you had to be there, you had to engage and you had to want to learn. 430odd people did and they will be implementing new ideas in their business as a result. They’ve also had access to some of the best speakers and industry experts around. Logbook readers can gain some insight as to what they may have missed by reviewing the presentations on the marine15 website at: http://marine15.com/conference-proceedings/ Bernard Salt’s teasers are hidden away in there and I’d be pleased to hear from any member who can relate to all, can deal with all and most importantly can make business from all. Marine15 was all about creating business success and growing the sector. Those that attended were described as industry leaders and they clearly will be the ones who lead the long-awaited upsurge in consumer confidence and boating for the future. Nik Parker, GM BIAA
Darling Harbour & Glebe Island 30 July to 3 August 2015
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BIA of NSW & SA LOGBOOK June 2015 - 7
Marine15 hailed as “best ever” by Bob Wonders
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here have been five International Conference and Trade Exhibitions staged by the Marina Industries Association (MIA) and Marine15 appears certain to top the popularity poll as “the best ever”. More than 450 marine industry representatives participated in the five-day extravaganza, which was staged at the Royal Palms Resort on the Queensland Gold Coast. Jeff d’Albora, Chairman of the organising committee, said he was “absolutely delighted” with every aspect of the chosen venue. “So much so, in fact, that I’d suggest there’s every possibility that Royal Pines will be the setting for Marine17,” he added. Mr d’Albora said the entire conference was a tribute to the hard-working organising committee, “which deserves the thanks of all”, he declared. In addition to the chairman, the organising committee comprised vice chairman Darren Vaux, John Hogan, Neil Patchett, Mike Harvey and professional staff members Colin Bransgrove (MIA) and Nik Parker (BIAA). “I hope those who attended Marine15 can fully appreciate the work this committee did in bringing the conference together,” Mr d’Albora said.
“Except for our two professional people in Colin and Nik, the committee all volunteer their valuable time and believe me, they all posted plenty of time into the overall success of Marine15,” he added. Jeff d’Albora said at every conference, organisers concentrated on learning “how it could be done better.” “We need to examine logistics, establish good relations with what I term “the back of the house”, meaning sponsors, exhibitors and relevant industry people,” he explained. “All these involve various aspects of the conference and each must be fine tuned and prepared for every eventuality. “I think finding a suitable venue/ location is one of the toughest tasks when planning the conference, and subsequently that’s why I and I’m sure the rest of the committee have been so impressed and pleased with Royal Pines.” The organising committee also feels the Queensland Gold Coast is as good a location available. “With relatively easy access from any of the eastern state capitals, the convenient Gold Coast Airport, I don’t see any specific need to be thinking geographically of other locations,” Mr d’Albora added. The future of the Marina Industries Association is definitely bright and Jeff
Jeff d’Albora.
d’Albora sees the probable expansion of offering specific career paths into the industries for young people. “This could involve tours to the US with visits to leading marinas and major marine retailers and I think this would result in an outstanding educational process for the younger generation. “The MIA was instrumental in introducing the Cer tified Marina Management scheme, which all agree has been enormously successful and such a scheme as I have outlined here, with visits to the United States to learn, would be equally successful,” Mr d’Albora concluded.
Marina Award winners announced W inners of the Club Marine MIA Marina of the Year Awards have been announced. Awards are for the 2015/16 period and based on performance over the previous financial year period. Winners and finalists were presented with trophies and certificates at the Marine15 International Conference and Trade Exhibition held on the Gold Coast 3-5 May. Marina Industries Association President Andrew Chapman said the competition for the Awards was the strongest ever and a record number of entries had been received from Australia and other countries. “It is a sign of the growing strength of the marina industries that we are celebrating the excellent achievements of the winners and finalists at marine15,” President Chapman said. Club Marine CEO Simon McLean said the Awards play an important role in
fostering business improvement across the marina industry. “Congratulations to the winners, finalists and all the entrants in the Awards. The Awards process requires time to reflect on one’s business performance and this in itself is a very healthy process”. The winner and finalists in the Award categories are: • Commercial Marina – Up to 140 Boats. Winner – Rivergate Marina and Shipyard QLD. • Commercial Marina – 140 Boats and Over. Winner – Soldiers Point Marina NSW. Finalists – Marmong Point Marina NSW and d’Alboras Nelson Bay NSW. • Club Marina. Winner – Royal Perth Yacht Club WA. Finalists - Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club NSW and Southport Yacht Club QLD. • International Marina. Winner – Port Denarau Marina Fiji. Finalists Albany Marina Bahamas, Marina Porto
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Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club NSW – Best Community Engagement Initiative by a Marina.
Montenegro and Westhaven Marina NZ. • Best Public Boat Harbour. Winner – Gladstone Marina QLD. Finalist – Hillarys Boat Harbour WA. • Marina Hall of Fame – Commercial Marina – Under 140 Boats – Soldiers Point Marina NSW. • Best Marina Restaurant. Winner Ormeggio – d’Albora Marinas The Spit NSW. Finalists – Waterline Restaurant
– Keppel Bay Marina QLD; Waterfront Restaurant – Southport Yacht Club QLD and The Point – Soldiers Point Marina NSW. • Most Innovative Marketing by a Marina. Winner – Soldiers Point Marina NSW. Finalist – Westhaven Marina NZ. • Best Community Engagement Initiative by a Marina. Winner – Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club NSW. Finalist – Mandurah Offshore Fishing and Sailing Club WA. • Best Marina Innovation by a Supplier. Winner – Superior Jetties ‘Waterscape’. Finalists – Bellingham Marine Australia and Dockpro QLD. • Best Boat Yard – Up To 20 Boats.
Winner – Fenwicks Marina NSW. Finalist – Q Service, The Quays Marina NSW. • Best Boat Yard – 20 Plus Boats. Winner – Gold Coast City Marina QLD. Finalist – Rivergate Marina and Shipyard QLD. • Best Dry Stack Facility. Winner – Gold Coast City Marina QLD. Finalist – Sydney Boat House NSW. • Outstanding Contribution by an Individual to the Industry: Dr Ed Mahoney, Recreation Marine Research Centre Michigan State University USA. William (Bill) Kirby was also acknowledged for his contribution to the QLD marina industry. • People’s Choice Best Marina
Soldiers Point Marina NSW – Best Commercial Marina 140 Boats and Over.
Employee. Winner – Jim Duncan, Soldiers Point Marina NSW. Finalists – Matilda Moon, Blue HQ, WA and Mark Riddell, Southport Yacht Club, QLD.
Multiple triumphs for Soldiers Point Marina by Bob Wonders
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he Marine15 conference has seen Soldiers Point Marina honoured in several categories and one of the toughest tasks at the conference would have been to ‘wipe the smile’ from the face of General Manager Darrell Barnett, CMM. In addition to being named #1 marina in the commercial 140 boats and over category, Soldiers Point Marina, on the shores of beautiful Port Stephens, was also elevated to the Marina Hall of Fame (for its previous wins in various categories) and was named victorious for the Most Innovative Marketing by a Marina. To top it off, Soldiers Point Marina’s 15-year veteran, Jim Duncan was named the People’s Choice Best Marina Employee. Darrell Barnett described receiving the awards as “an honour and a privilege to receive such prestigious recognition.” “At Soldiers Point Marina we all strive to set high standards within our luxuriously-appointed amenities, worldclass facilities and provide services above and beyond our customers’ expectations,” he said. “We also totally understand and comply with the need to be seen as excellent environmental and community citizens. “I must also congratulate our Marina Supervisor Jim Duncan for winning his inaugural award being chosen as the People’s Choice as Best Marina Employee. “Jim is an outstanding, loyal member of the team and always has the welfare of our customers and their boats as his first priority,’ Mr Barnett added.
The Marine15 judging panel have not been the only source of compliments directed at Solders Point Marina. Two industry identities who need little in the way of introduction have sung the praises of the facility. Peter Jenkins, recently retired after 50-years in the boating industry, much of it as the marketing manager for both Riviera and Maritimo, has stayed over regularly at Soldiers Point Marina.
I couldn’t believe it when the morning newspapers and fresh coffee were delivered to my boat. “I’ve visited scores of marinas on just about every continent and as far as a facility goes, Soldiers Point Marina is about as good as it gets,” he said. “The first morning I was berthed there, I couldn’t believe it when the morning newspapers and fresh coffee were delivered to my boat. “Beat that,” he declared. Author/yachtsman Rob Mundle was another to ‘wax lyrical’ about Soldiers Point Marina. “I recently had my catamaran docked there for 10-days and came away highly impressed with every aspect of the facility, the hospitality and the overall efficiency of the staff,” Mundle said. “On top of that, the two restaurants, The Point and The Deck proved to be two excellent finds for this ‘professional diner’,” he added. While Soldiers Point Marina does receive stiff competition from the d’Albora Marina complex at nearby Nelson Bay (itself honoured as a finalist in the same category won by Soldiers Point) it can justifiably term itself “The Pride of Port Stephens”.
Darrell Barnett, CMM, General Manager, Soldiers Point Marina, was only too happy to strike a pose with his trophies at Marine15.
Jim Duncan, a 15-year veteran at Soldiers Point Marina, was honoured as the People’s Choice for most popular marina identity.
BIA of NSW & SA LOGBOOK June 2015 - 9
Waterscape – just one of many new products on show at Marine15 by Bob Wonders
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couple of years ago, while attending the Miami International Boat Show, I was speaking with a manufacturer of marina pontoons, wharves and jetties and he told me his company was installing “more and more pontoons” for home owners who did not own a boat and had no intention of acquiring a boat. At the time, the idea of selling pontoons to those who were just not into boating did not make a lot of sense to me. Sure, I could see a waterfront home owner having a jetty or pontoon installed to add value to his property, but why else would you bother? Well, I should have known, back home in Australia John Hogan, CEO of the Superior Group was ahead of the game. It’s called ‘Waterscape’, and it looks set to make a major impact on what might be termed ‘the jetty market’. Marine15 certainly recognised Waterscape for its outstanding creativity and have named it ‘Best Marina Innovation by a Supplier’. Prior to that, the Americans, too, honoured Waterscape, naming it winner of the prestigious Excellence in Innovation award at the International Superyacht Society meeting in Fort Lauderdale. Waterscape first saw the light of day at the 2014 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, but personally, I think many of those who saw it did not realise its potential. That is definitely no longer the case. Waterscape stems from a dual creation, that of the Superior Group and an Argentinean-born Australian, Alexander Lotersztain, who heads a Brisbane-based design firm, Derlot Pty Ltd. Recognised world-wide for his skill as an industrial designer, Lotersztain was commissioned by John Hogan to handle the design component of Waterscape.
Be part of the boating community
10 - June 2015 BIA of NSW & SA LOGBOOK
Waterscape at the Southport Yacht Club, where it is the centrepiece of the club’s $1.6 million upgrade. Photo: Michael Jennings, MJ Creative.
That he achieved the aim is there for all to see. According to Hogan, Waterscape delivers two front doors to a property, from the street and from the water. “In my experience, most waterfront structures have been virtually unchanged in design for many years,” he said. “We believe that with Waterscape we have designed a place, not just a product, this is the extension of a home onto the home owners’ exclusive waterfront space”. Waterscape is limited in size only to one’s imagination. It is assembled utilising three-metre by three-metre sections. “It could be made large enough to install at the Gold Coast’s Marine Stadium large enough for the Rugby Sevens to be played there,” he joked. (I’m not sure he was joking!). In addition to its appeal to waterfront homeowners (or Rugby tournament organisers), Waterscape is headed to gather strong appeal from operators of waterfront hotels, resorts and clubs. In a world first for this fabulous creation, the first installation of a Waterscape has been completed at the Southport Yacht Club, where it is the centrepiece of a $1.6 million upgrade to the thriving club’s facilities. It is a 10-metre by 10-metre Waterscape complete with a cocktail bar and has been named ‘The Pontoon Bar’, and according to the club’s General Manager, Brett James, it offers the club a new asset for staging functions ranging from cocktail parties to corporate events. “Local boat builders are looking at it as a venue to unveil new models and we’ve already had one inquiry from a business thinking of using it to launch a new model car,” he added. Hogan has also been involved in discussions with Sanctuary Cove management and individual homeowners with a view to installing Waterscape. “I think it offers particular value to Asian home buyers, because they love being near the water, but are not all that keen on boating,” he explained. “I’m convinced such people will find enormous appeal in Waterscape.”
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Federal Budget 2015-2016 In Summary
What it means for your business The Abbott Government recently released its second budget delivering more than $5 billion in benefits to the 96 per cent of businesses with turnovers of less than $2 million. This article gives you the key things you need to know about the small business package and the other parts of the budget that matter for businesses. We know you’re busy so we’ve kept our analysis short, but if you want to know more, the full budget papers are available at www.budget.gov.au.
Big wins for small business – $5.5 billion For the 96 per cent of businesses that have a turnover of less than $2 million the budget provides significant tax relief and new measures to make it easier to invest and grow. From 1 July 2015, small-incorporated businesses will receive a 1.5 per cent company tax cut and smallunincorporated business owners will receive a 5 per cent income tax discount on their business income up to a maximum of $1,000. These measures are worth $3.3 billion over four years. All small businesses will also be able to immediately deduct the cost of new assets worth up to $20,000 that they start to use, or install ready to use, from now until 30 June 2017. This measure, which topped the pre-budget wish list voted
Access to workplace advice for Boating Industry Association members Call 13 29 59 to connect to a team of dedicated and experienced workplace professionals who can answer your questions on workplace matters such as pay and conditions, superannuation and leave.
MEM1153
MEM 1153
Invigorating business Call 13
26 96
nswbusinesschamber.com.au
12 - June 2015 BIA of NSW & SA LOGBOOK
on by NSW Business Chamber members, should provide a big boost to small business cash flow and a strong incentive to increase investment. The total value of this measure is estimated at $1.8 billion over four years. For most businesses this will all be good news, but we haven’t heard exactly what it means for businesses just above the $2 million threshold and the last thing we want is for the threshold to discourage business growth. The budget also includes a package of other positive measures designed to encourage entrepreneurship and reduce red tape, such as changes to the taxation of employee share schemes, deductibility of business start-up expenses, easier access to crowd sourced equity funding and capital gains tax rollover relief for entities that decide to change their legal structure. An additional $254.7 million for the Government’s Digital Transformation Agenda should reduce the time that business owners and their staff spend dealing with government red tape. However, the Chamber’s recent experience with the ATO’s proposed Single Touch Payroll online reporting changes demonstrates that sometimes these initiatives can be about making things easier for government rather than business.
Tax increases and spending cuts The budget contains a number of tax increases and spending cuts that may directly affect NSW businesses. The Government will give the ATO additional funds to pursue GST compliance. This will result in increased expenditure of $2.1 billion and increased revenue of $2.5 billion for a net gain of $445 million over three years from 2015-16. While we are all for levelling the playing field and ensuring all businesses pay their taxes, this does not seem like a very efficient way of raising extra revenue. We are also concerned about the potential for law abiding small businesses to be accidentally caught up in the compliance net. Another concern for some businesses, particularly larger businesses, will be the changes to paid parental leave entitlements. This measure will save around $1 billion over four years. The Government has announced plans to strengthen multinational anti-avoidance measures and increase penalties for tax avoidance by large companies. However, there is no estimate of how much revenue this will generate so only time will tell whether these measures will prove effective. The Government will apply GST to digital goods purchased from overseas companies, which is estimated to raise $350 million over two years from 2017-18 for State governments. This should also be good news for struggling domestic retailers, but at this stage it is unclear how the government will enforce this requirement. The Government has estimated it will raise $735 million over four years by introducing application fees on foreign investment in real estate, business and agriculture. The Government will raise an extra $845 million from 201617 to 2018-19 by reducing the generosity of the approach used to calculate work related motor vehicle expenses. This will not however affect those who access motor vehicles through leasing and salary sacrifice arrangements.
Support for employment and workforce participation The budget contains a range of measures to boost employment and workforce participation, which is great news for the economy and businesses looking for new staff. The headline announcement is $3.5 billion over five years for additional childcare support, which should help get second income earners back into the workforce after children are born – the key challenge will be making sure this increased subsidy doesn’t just push up the price of childcare. The budget also has various other measures to help parents return to the workforce, including support for universal preschool and a trial program for funding nannies. Businesses that employ people struggling to find work will benefit from a simplified wage subsidy program including a reinvigorated subsidy for employing older workers. There will also be $18.3 million over four years for businesses to provide up to 25 hours of unpaid work experience to those under 18. Community organisations will also receive around $330 million over four years to help young people find work.
NSW Infrastructure The budget contains a number of key infrastructure measures for NSW, including • More than $500 million for duplication of the Pacific Highway.
• $190 million for the Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan, which includes roads around the site of the second airport at Badgerys Creek. • $450 million for WestConnex and the provision of up to $2 billion as a concessional loan to fast track stage two of this project. The Budget contains total national infrastructure funding of $33.3 billion from 2014-15 to 2018-19. This includes the $5 billion Asset Recycling Initiative, $2 billion of which has already been committed in NSW.
Budget bottom line
The overall budget bottom line is an important issue for business, since ongoing deficits will ultimately have to be funded through higher taxes. This year’s budget bottom line came in at $35.1 billion, which was better than forecast in the mid-year outlook published in December. Looking forward over the next four years, the Budget predicts steadily decreasing deficits and a reduction in the size of government measured as a share of GDP. This is good news, but much of the return to surplus is based on bracket creep, which is a major concern as it represents a structural increase in taxes. The Business Chamber will be lobbying strongly for the minimisation of bracket creep in the upcoming Tax White Paper. h This article has been provided by the NSW Business Chamber.
Marine Industry Professionals – Accident Protection
W
e all understand that employers must insure their workers under a Workers Compensation Insurance policy. But Workers Compensation Insurance does not provide any protection for Sole Traders. For a worker who is not insured under a Workers Compensation Insurance policy, an Income Protection Insurance policy with an extension to cover Total Permanent Disability would be appropriate. This policy will cover an individual’ s income in the event they can no longer work due to an accident or sickness and if the policy is structured correctly will protect the workers income until they retire. Not everyone accepts the need for Comprehensive insurance protection for their own income and instead would prefer a less costly insurance option that provides some (not all) of the cover (similar to Third Party Property Damage Insurance for old cars). A Personal Accident Insurance policy is a low cost alternative and is suited to sole traders working in more hazardous occupations (including work on boats). A typical Personal Accident Insurance policy arranged for a worker in the Marine industry would: • Provide 24/7 accident cover (including work on boats) • Provide an income stream for up to 2 years following an accident Often the decision on whether a sole trader needs to arrange Income Protection Insurance is made by others. It may be a requirement of the worksite that a person must have this type of insurance before entering or conducting any form of work on a job site or entering into a contract. Let us consider a mobile sole trader who is seriously injured while working on a boat at a marina and is unable to work for 6 months.
They are not covered under Workers Compensation insurance and they have not arranged any personal Income Protection insurance. Just to make ends meet the injured worker will need to use up a large chunk of their savings, rack up credit card debt and rely on Government and family hand-outs until they can get back to work. The devastating effect of losing your income for any extended period is likely to force the injured worker to seek legal assistance in an attempt to recover all or part of their financial loss from some other “negligent” party (such as the site owner where the injury occurred). Like building sites, more and more marinas (and other sites where work on boats is permitted) are requiring sole traders working on their site to show evidence they hold their own Personal Accident insurance. This ensures: 1. The moral obligation of the site owner is satisfied knowing that if the tradesman is injured while on their site they will still have a source of income. 2. The legal obligation relating to Duty of Care to workers permitted on site are less likely to be challenged out of desperation. All Sole Traders working in the Marine Industry should consider protection for their income as a deemed essential expense and the premiums maybe tax deductible. For more information on the options available contact IC Frith and Associates on 02 8853 9100.
BIA of NSW & SA LOGBOOK June 2015 - 13
Membership
W
ith a history trailing back to 1960, The Boating Industry Association of NSW and SA recognises membership underpins the Association, and provides the states peak industry body with the means to support and represent all boating business regardless of size or sector. In a market that has significantly contracted over several years fewer businesses remain active in the boating industry, business size and structure has shifted with many businesses downsizing, forcing business to leverage all possible resources for the best possible value gain. The BIA like all business has needed to adjust to the reduced business activity and ensure growth of the Association’s member base. With this in mind and to meet these challenges the BIA has developed and introduced a value offering membership structure where businesses can select a category of membership based on the services and benefits best suited to their needs. Understanding the needs of industry businesses and identifying services that directly meet these needs was the key objective during the development process. A table of inclusions for each membership category follows on the next page. Some of the services included and available across the varying value offerings to members have been detailed here:
Workplace Advice Line Workplace Advice Line gives members direct phone access to experienced workplace specialists who can answer questions on a range of issues, including: • industrial relations information • human resources issues • WHS advice • award provisions and interpretation • wage rates • workplace policies • redundancy and termination • leave provisions • workers compensation creating a flexible work place. With guidance from specialist advisers you can make workplace decisions with confidence and resolve potential problems or issues quickly.
Legal Advice All financial members automatically become members of the Madison Marcus Legal Firm Corporate Program. Membership in the Corporate Program entitles members to a wide range of benefits and privileges including:
&
• Free initial preliminary telephone advice from a lawyer 24/7 • Discounts on certain legal fees • access to specialist lawyers • Free subscription to the Madison Marcus e-Newsletter with important legal updates.
Standard Form Contracts
The BIA in consultation with industry and legal firm Madison Marcus developed a range of contracts specific to the needs of the boating industry. These contracts cover most boating related transactions including service and materials supply, boat storage and brokerage and sales contracts. All of the documents have been designed with a consistent look to allow the boating industry the opportunity to apply a standard approach to consumer transactions whilst providing a robust yet flexible range of terms and conditions to support boating business transactions. Complete with instructions of key terms and relevant law explanations to help members understand their obligations BIA contracts are available for free download via the members’ area of the BIA website. Documents available: • Brokerage Deed • Used Vessel Sale Contract • New Vessel Sale Contract • Berthing, Storage and Mooring Deed • Provide Service and Materials Contract • Personal Guarantee and Indemnity Deed
Insurance The bulk buying power of the entire BIA membership is used to negotiate group and individual insurance programs for BIA members. As an intermediary, IC Frith acts as the agent for clients in the placement of insurance products with insurance companies. The insurance companies used are reputable and long established companies in Australia and overseas. Most importantly, specialised marine insurance has been arranged on behalf of Boating Industry Association members through BIA Marine Insurance.
Life’s better easier
with BIA Marine Insurance For further details concerning BIA Marine Insurance please contact
icfrith.com.au | 1300 000 423 | marine@icfrith.com.au 14 - June 2015 BIA of NSW & SA LOGBOOK
Aaron McKenna.
(… cont. page 16)
Member Benefits Communications Logbook E News Marine Business Subcription Access to Members area of Website
Subscriber
associate
biz Lite
Full business
Electronic
Electronic
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advice Legal Advice General Administration HR / IR Advice bia Partner Services Business Insurance Banking / Merchant Services Foreign Exchange Travel Insurance Discounts Visitor Boat Show Tickets (conditions apply) Boat Show Ticket Discount Exhibitor Discount BIA Advertising (E- News / Assoc. Magazine etc.) Education and Training Functions / Seminars Research & Statistics Car Hire
4 Products 50 Point Safety Check Marine Card Stationary (Standard Forms / Contracts) Divisional Criteria (Subject to criteria) Marinas Manufacturers Shipwrights Mechanics Retailers Sailing Brokers
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other Representation Policy Development Lobbying PR / Advertising / Consumer Egagement Use of BIA logo Public Exposure Website Listings other Attend General Meetings Voting Rights Sit on Divisional Committee
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b o a t i n g i n D U S t R Y a S S o C i a t i o n o F n S W & S a Lt D A B N
61 000 618 468
2014 ANNuAl RepoRt
BIA Marine Insurance does not deal with just one insurer; they go to the insurance market to obtain the best deal possible for clients in terms of price and coverage. Cover can be arranged for protection of physical assets, liability against third parties, personal protection, compliance with insurance imposed by statute, motor vehicle, marine, product warranty, construction, personnel, occupational health and safety and workers compensation. Specialist marine applications including dealership packages, annual transit cover, import/export, dealer demonstration cover, theft, burglary including theft in open air, money (including in transit), ship repairers, marina operators and boat brokers liability cover.
Travel Insurance Provided members remain a current and financial member of the BIA, directors, business owners and their staff automatically receive travel insurance for Interstate and Overseas business trips. This insurance policy is provided to ALL members and applies to: • Any authorised interstate or overseas business trip taken by directors or employees. Cover includes incidental personal travel that is tapped on to a business trip. • Any interstate or international leisure trip taken by Directors of the BIA member; this covers those trips of directors even when it has nothing to do with business. • Accompanying spouses and dependants are covered for any insured trip. The insurer provides 24-hour worldwide assistance.
Financial Services BIA members have access to a full range of business banking solutions through the BIA’s Commonwealth Bank Alliance Partnership program, including a free Business Financial Health Check and access to a Business Banking specialist. BIA can arrange for a Commonwealth Bank Business Banker to talk to you about: • Day-to-day banking including business accounts and EFTPOS terminals with preferred rates and discounts for BIA members • Funding options including Business Credit Cards, Asset Finance and Commercial Loans. These products can help you manage cash flow and risk, and assist you to expand your business.
Accor – Away On Business The BIA has negotiated special rates with Accor Hotels and Resorts on behalf of members. The Away on Business Program gives BIA members access to a 10% discount off the best unrestricted public rate of the day at over 1,300 selected Accor hotels and resorts worldwide, including Sofitel, Pullman, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, All Seasons and Ibis hotels. Nautilus partnered the BIA during the year to administer a BIA Dealer Certified Used Boat Warranty product. This product allows members to add value to their customer transactions while creating opportunity to increase revenue.
Use the BIA logo Boating Industry Association
Let your customers know that 16 -you June 2015 BIA of NSW & SA are a member of the BIALOGBOOK and
comply with the BIA’s Code of Practice
Events During the year the BIA delivers industry networking events to combine experience, expertise and knowledge and identify common objectives for the benefit of the industry along with professional business events. Boat Shows are run regularly to fulfil numerous business objectives for both the industry and its members. As a member you will receive exhibitor discounts to participate commensurate to your length of membership. Shows include the Sydney International Boat Show which is the largest boat show in the Southern Hemisphere, as well as the Sydney Trailer boat Show that started in the early ’60s. For more information about the benefits and services available or to discuss joining the BIA contact Aaron aaron@ bia.org.au or call 02 9438 2077. Aaron McKenna, Member Support and Development
NEW MEMBERS BIA Councils of NSW & SA and staff warmly welcome the following businesses into our Association and look forward to your participation in BIA activities and services:-
New South Wales Bilrise P/L – T/as Caravan & Marine Barbeques (Maurice Gilet) Dazmac P/L – Shipping & Transport Consultants (Daryl McIntyre) Penrith Marine Enterprises P/L (Stuart & Gaye Johnson) Byrant Marine (Ken Kirkpatrick) SACS Marine Australia P/L – Distributor for SACS Italy (Richard Gazal) Cook Family Enterprises P/L – Finance & Insurance (Simon Cook) Luxury Afloat Hawkesbury River & Brooklyn P/L (Michael & Kerry Jones) NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI)Fisheries (Peter Turnell) Flagstaff Marine Holdings P/L – T/as Vicsail Beneteau (Graham Raspass & Micah Lane) Francis Marine Services (Bradley Francis) Oceantec Marine P/L (Alex Gillespie)
South Australia Carismar P/L – T/as Adelaide Shores Marine (Dennis Carger) SCC (SA) P/L – T/as Southern Cross Cleaning (SA)- (Brandon & Amanda Petty) Release & Retrieve Boat Latch P/L (Geoffrey Davis & Betty Lockwood)
E-News wrap up A
s a BIA member or friend, you may be receiving our fortnightly E-news. This is a way of keeping you informed regarding matters arising between Logbooks. A record of past E-news is stored in the members’ area of our BIA web page. The following is a wrap up of some important notes you may have missed.
Registration statistics Industry members can obtain the latest available registration statistics from the Associations web page. Members are invited to visit the Industry Data & Statistics page on the BIA web site to view the page. Industry data in NSW is limited and what is available to the BIA is published on this page. On the website you will find New Registrations by month as well as all vessel registrations for the state, by size and RMS description. Further work is being done on volume of registrations by geographical area. This will be published soon.
Workplace Advice Line The Workplace Advice Line gives members direct phone access to experienced workplace specialists who can answer questions on a range of issues, including: • industrial relations information • human resources issues • WHS advice • award provisions and interpretation • wage rates • workplace policies • redundancy and termination • leave provisions • workers compensation • creating a flexible work place. With guidance from specialist advisers you can make workplace decisions with confidence and resolve potential problems or issues quickly. For the answers to your workplace questions call the Workplace Advice Line - 13 29 59, free service for BIA members!
Award Variations – Transitional Provisions As part of the four yearly reviews of modern awards, the Fair Work Commission has varied the majority of modern awards. The changes vary from award to award, but generally deal with deleting transitional provisions relating to redundancy, district allowances and accident pay. For further information contact the Workplace Advice Line on 13 29 59. This is a free service to BIA members.
Outboard and Small Engine Emissions Standards move a step closer The Environment Minister Greg Hunt has announced an Agreement between the state and federal ministers that will see emissions standards on the table by mid 2015. According to the Minister’s announcement: “Government will complete
work by mid 2015 to develop emissions control measures for: non-road spark ignition engines and equipment”. Non-road spark ignition engines will include outboard petrol engines and all petrol engines from lawn mowers to generators. This will bring business certainty that engine emissions are now on a timetable after years in the wilderness. There will be issues for engine manufacturers and boat builders to manage. BIA will monitor the development of this important standard and keep members informed.
International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) BIA has viewed plans on the Darling Harbour development of the ICC Sydney Exhibition Halls and received an invitation by the CEO Geoff Donaghy to participate in regular inspections during construction to assess and advise that it will be fit for purpose for the Sydney International Boat Show. It is on target for 2017 operation providing internal exhibition space of 35,000sqm. Over 2,000sqm of space is dedicated to meeting rooms and hospitality suites for the exhibition halls. With access from the upper exhibition hall to a further 5,000sqm open air event deck. These state of the art facilities will be within Australia’s first integrated convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct. BIA has received Exhibition Hire Rates for the facilities to assist in our preliminary planning. As the ICC Sydney’s Exhibition Halls take shape we will provide ongoing information to give you a taste and a sense of opportunity for 2017.
Changes to Bureau of Meteorology Weather Observations Website The Bureau of Meteorology would like to advise that Weather Observations Website (WOW) live wind observation maps have been added to www.bom.gov.au/marine/ Two links have been added: • Live wind maps for Sydney • Live wind map for NSW About the Live wind map interface: • The Live wind maps combine the Bureau’s wind readings with readings from third party equipment. • A slider bar is available at the bottom of the map to visualise wind and weather observations over the past 24 hours. • The Live wind map interface provides the ability to view historical wind data for each weather station on a 10 or 30 minute basis for any day in the last year. This is a significant benefit to maritime safety agencies when analysing the weather conditions that may have contributed to an accident. • Individuals and organisations are encouraged to share their observations on these maps. The interface provides simple instructions to set this up. The Bureau has a development pipeline to further improve the interface. Please contact Neal Moodie, National Manager of Marine Weather Services (n.moodie@bom.gov.au or +61 3 9669 4768) for any questions.
BIA of NSW & SA LOGBOOK June 2015 - 17
BIA Advocacy and Industry Development Snapshot mid-2015
T
he BIA works with all areas and levels of Government to ensure that the physical and regulatory environment is boating and business friendly. Representation of these interests is headed by Nik Parker at the federal level, and Roy Privett and Alan Barrett (NSW) and George Bolton (SA) at state level, though these and the many areas of specific and local advocacy and industry development work are supported by BIA staff, Directors and Councillors, and committee members from within the Divisions structure. We are fortunate to have great depth and experience on our side, and the generosity of our members who volunteer their time and acumen never ceases to amaze me. I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with many of these people over the past seven years, and while it’s been a great learning opportunity for me personally, there can be no question that today’s boating industry owes much to these contributors, past and present. There are many areas of Government activity which affect the business prospects of BIA members and the boating experience of our customers. At times these are quite generic and affect all manner of business or consumer activity across the country, but often BIA members and the boating public are impacted by specific regulations or conditions. Additionally, the boating experience is critically reliant on healthy waterways and, more broadly, on environmental well-being, so it’s important that we keep our finger on the pulse and advocate our particular interests within the wider environmental picture. That said, the following are the key areas of current focus and activity:
Waterway Access & Infrastructure We are always working to secure improved access to safe waterways. Through participation in advisory groups and direct contact with Departmental and Ministerial personnel, we are continually engaged on matters of policy and public expenditure. Good boating access pivots on rights of usage as well as various infrastructure: quality boat-ramps; marinas or other forms of boat storage; and interface wharves for pick-up & drop off, or to access shore-side amenities. Safe waterways result from sound boating education and appropriate regulation to manage behaviour, though infrastructure such as navigation aids and signage play an important role, as does channel and bar maintenance (which may involve dredging or training works), and coastal armouring like seawalls and breakwaters which protect harbours or river entrances. Well located boat servicing & fuelling infrastructure of adequate quality and capacity must also feature – a complex challenge given the high value placed on waterfront lands by Councils & the community at large. After some less than perfect decades, the outlook for access & infrastructure is quite positive at present, thanks in no small part to the stability of the NSW government and the commitment of Minister Duncan Gay who has taken the time to understand the issues, and the wider benefits of boating to the state’s
18 - June 2015 BIA of NSW & SA LOGBOOK
social, employment, and economic picture. Commencing this year, the Boating Now program will redistribute close to $40 Million collected from boating registration and licensing fees toward infrastructure projects over the next three years. A further $30 Million in government spending on Crown Lands assets and waterway/ foreshore management projects is scheduled over the coming five years to 2020. The private sector investment situation is not quite so rosy – plagued as it has been since day one by a complicated commercial, planning, and regulatory framework – though there are signs that the long sought harmonisation of policy and practice by Government landlords could be at hand. Planning remains the single biggest obstacle to the creation and improvement of boating infrastructure, and in the last two years, Aboriginal Land Claim and Native Title Claims have further queered the pitch. Boldness remains the essential characteristic of investors in this space. NSW Moorings policy was recently the focus of a major review and we’ll be closely watching the results of this over the coming months, along with other processes in train such as the implementation of new trailer regulations, stage two of the Sydney Harbour Wharf upgrade program which could contribute to on-water amenity for recreational boaters, and the concerning position of some Sydney Councils proposing to implement controls and fees for access to public boat-ramps. Whilst the recent development of Regional Boating Plans by Transport for NSW (as detailed in the March edition of Logbook) set out opportunities, challenges, and priorities for boating access and infrastructure, urban waterways and foreshore around Sydney are increasingly contested. Our 2015 Vision for Sydney Harbour highlights that whilst significant achievements have been made in way of infrastructure and access, the growing population, increased housing density, and pressure on resources mean that our waterways must be protected and well managed to ensure their long term contribution to the liveability of the city. Other waterways in NSW are heading in this direction as we increasingly embrace coastal living and recreation, and whilst regional councils are often supportive of growth in boating and the community benefits this brings, the interests of active recreational or commercial waterway users may come into conflict with those who believe that boating degrades the environment, or those who value waterways solely as the scenic backdrop to their dry-land lives.
Boating Regulation The aforementioned Regional Boating Plans shone a light on tow-sports, with concerns expressed within the consultation phase over on-water safety, and bank erosion attributed to skiing & wakeboarding activity within river systems. Trial
management plans have been implemented to address some validated concerns, and we’ll be watching closely as these play out. A wide ranging review of boat driver licensing was undertaken in 2014 – the first of its kind for a generation. BIA has advocated for a balanced approach toward future licensing which re-enforces the “education not regulation” message. As the boating participation rate continues to flourish, we need to ensure that skippers take their responsibilities seriously so that we can maintain the freedoms that make boating unique. Recent lifejacket reforms have been a resounding success. In response to BIA’s prompting, regulators have embraced the tools of promotion, education, and market support in complement to compliance activity, resulting in surging wear rates and positive trends across incident data. Our safety partnership with Transport for NSW is alive and well, and delivering against our mutual safe boating objectives. Implementation of the National System for Commercial Vessels has, and will continue to be challenging for industry and government for some time to come. This reform has pulled together a ragtag bunch of state and federal laws dating back to the early 20th century - no mean feat - but we hold grave concerns about some areas of the new policy, and impending impacts on industry and boaters alike. As attendees of the Marine15 conference heard again and again, the current pace and scale of change in consumer preference and behaviour is unprecedented, and innovation is critical to our future prosperity - bigger boats, syndicated and managed ownership, the sharing economy, game-changing products. The precautionary principles so favoured by regulators and the catch-all nature of the National System will be a mill-stone around our necks as we look to explore emerging ownership and lifestyle preferences of the next generation. Our ability as an industry to adapt is constrained, and the BIA must be forward looking and active to ensure that growth and opportunity are not choked by red tape.
Workplace Health and Safety The boating industry has been a WHS pace-setter for many years. Our Marine Card Program has grown in coverage and participation as WHS law has become a national concern. BIA tools, information, and training have supported boating business across the country toward improved awareness, performance, and compliance management. BIA maintains a formal partnership with WorkCover which allows us to stay current on trends and issues of risk. Our training products are regularly tweaked for best practice, and the launch of our Access Management System (AMS) this year will deliver improved risk management and efficiency to workplace controllers and the army of employees, staff, and contractors who keep our customers afloat. We are well equipped to support our members with WHS, and advocate on their behalf to workplace safety agencies. This area of boating business isn’t glamorous nor does it feature often in the bottom line, but our industry has taken the safety of its people seriously. The 25% incident rate reduction over five-years to 2014 is proof in the pudding, and though there is always room for improvement, we can be rightfully proud of what we have achieved.
Environment We are often at pains to make clear to Government and other stakeholders the relationship between a healthy marine environment and the interests of boaters – and therefore our industry. No-one wants to go boating or fishing in a sewer, and the boating community are in many ways best placed to ensure and monitor this health, though in the past regulators have sought to lock us out of the places we value most. Appropriate regulation of the environment is a balancing act. The BIA has worked for many years with environmental protection agencies and land managers to develop best practice around boat storage, servicing, and fuelling.
BIA of NSW & SA LOGBOOK June 2015 - 19
Past initiatives and partnerships of the BIA are widely known and well regarded such as the Clean Marina Program and Fish Friendly Marina initiative (now well managed by the Marina Industries Association), and the EPA/ BIA joint publication Environmental Action for Marinas Boatsheds and Slipways. Our advocacy has boosted the profile of science in conservation-focussed decision making, and in the coming few years we will be monitoring and supporting where possible important environmental studies slated for Sydney Harbour, and the waters of the Hawkesbury Shelf Marine Bio-region. The newly minted NSW Marine Estate Management Authority (MEMA) promises a coordinated approach to management across all facets of regulations, and we expect to be meaningfully engaged with this body toward consistent, robust, evidence-based decision making. Of late, increased regulation of fuelling facilities has proved complicated with rationalisation of supply and a slimming of margins resulting. BIA has been able to work with EPA to assist fuel facility operators to transition to a regulatory situation which improves protection of our waterway, but we are concerned about tankerbased fuelling of boats – emerging as a largely unregulated and hazardous by-product of the recent reforms – and in the near term BIA will be addressing this matter with relevant authorities. A move toward reduced emissions from boat engines is already on foot & we will be supporting industry as this process unfolds. We also anticipate a focus on end-of-life considerations for boats and equipment, and BIA will be involved with a pilot scheme soon to be announced by Transport for NSW to trial recycling/ disposal options.
Skills Around the country and over a vast cross-section of industry, the skills outlook is bleak. A decade of cost-cutting is taking its toll, and in NSW particularly the once excellent Vocational Education and Training (VET) system is on the verge of collapse. The performance of our trade training institutes this year has been diabolical, a comedy of errors which defies belief, but which nonetheless hits hard on employers, and young people looking to launch their careers in our industry, and many others like it. Over the past few years BIA has searched for an angle to get ahead of the train-wreck, our shipwright and marinemechanical Divisions having flagged the decline well in advance. In the knowledge that a great deal is at stake, we established a partnership with our main provider TAFE NSW, but the situation has gone from bad to worse, and our liaisons across the training and skills environment show us that we are not Robinson Crusoe. It’s this bad for everyone, and the way forward is by no means clear. Federal Industry Minister Ian McFarlane last year appointed Senator Simon Birmingham as Assistant Minister for Education and Training with a special focus on VET. At a recent meeting of industry leaders with fresh NSW Skills Minister John Barilaro, the VET disaster was front and centre. Government is responding to the crisis at hand and acknowledges the very real and serious implications for our national competitiveness going forward, but drastic action is needed, and fast. BIA will continue to advocate the position and needs of industry, though more than a few employers have already lost faith in the failing system, and thousands of young apprentices from across the enterprise spectrum have suffered for their unfortunate timing.
Boat for ife L s: Our Safety Ambassador en us ha Andrew ET Ettings & Pete Goss …
Visit www.boatforlife.com.au Safety Partners
20 - June 2015 BIA of NSW & SA LOGBOOK
It will be a long, tough climb out of this hole, but the boating industry has no choice but to breed and nurture the skilled and adaptable tradespeople we need. Marine technologies and manufacturing are evolving at unbelievable pace, and it’s likely that the skills development model of tomorrow will be substantially different to that of the past. As an industry, we will confront and overcome many hurdles to deliver the boating future, and thrive in an increasingly competitive environment. By no means an exhaustive list of BIA’s advocacy and industry development activities, the above matters demand a great deal of energy and application volunteers and the BIA team. The participation of members in any and all of our activities is greatly appreciated, and we welcome you to be a part of this important work. Alan Barrett, BIA NSW Divisions Manager
Redevelopment works to commence at d’Albora Marinas The Spit
From Madison Marcus Law Firm
MADISON MARCUS Strengthening LAW FIRM Australia’s Foreign Investment Framework Reason for the change
As part of the Australian Government’s plan to strengthen and tighten the foreign investment framework, law reforms have been proposed and will take effect on 1 December 2015. The reason for the introduction of a tougher framework is due to the fact that the current Foreign Investment Review Board has not been capable of enforcing the law in this area without the necessary specialists to investigate the foreigners investing in Australia. Over the past six years, not one prosecution was made.
Structural change
The most significant change in terms of the structure of enforcement is the proposal by the House Economics Committee that the Australian Taxation Office (ATO ) will take the place of the Foreign Investment Review Board with regards to all residential real estate. A $5,000.00 FIRB application fee will be applicable on purchases of property up to $1 million. This mechanism will, in essence, self-fund the ATO department in enforcing the foreign investment laws.
Changes to the penalty regime
Artist’s impression of upgraded d’Albora Marinas The Spit.
d’Albora Marinas The Spit has recently announced the commencement of its much anticipated redevelopment which is set to reinforce its position as a leading marina in Sydney’s lower north shore. The redevelopment works are set to greatly enhance the marina’s existing facilities to allow for modern Vessel demands including new capacity for 15, 25 and up to 40 metres. The staged works are scheduled to be complete by Spring 2015. Mr Brett Bolton, CEO of d’Albora Marinas says, “The redevelopment of The Spit will benefit the boating and broader community as it is the only marina in Middle Harbour able to accommodate such a broad range of boats including superyachts. “Marina visitors will benefit from upgraded marina facilities including the expansion of a new premium berthing arm, improved access and egress, faster fuelling, extensive CCTV, a new leisure space, a new marina walkway and increased safety on and off Spit Road.” d’Albora Marinas The Spit and its tenants, including the award winning Ormeggio at The Spit and its sister restaurant Chiosco by Ormeggio, will remain operational throughout the development period.
The House Economics Committee has identified that under the current Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (the Act), only criminal penalties and divestment orders are available to be imposed against any persons who have breached the Act. The Committee has proposed the introduction of civil penalties which will apply directly to residential real estate: • Pecuniary penalties calculated as a percentage of the property value purchased • Penalties against foreign investors or any third parties assisting them in breaching the framework The current penalties of divestment orders and criminal penalties would still be available for the government to exercise, which in turn, will strengthen the whole enforcement regime. Examples of penalty orders are: • Foreigners who acquire property without approval: Tier 2 (identified through compliance activities) Individuals – 60 penalty units ($10,200.00) and Companies – 300 penalty units ($51,000.00) plus the relevant application fees • Developers who did not market their property in Australia: Civil Penalty – Individual 250 penalty units ($42,500.00) and Criminal Penalty 500 penalty units ($85,000.00), imprisonment of two years or both (Corporations subject to multiplier of five for each penalty). If you are interested in receiving further information about this article and its impact or meeting with one of the Real Estate and Transaction team, please call Madison Marcus on (02) 8022 1222.
Disclaimer Madison Marcus Law Firm produced this article. It is intended to provide general information in summary form on legal topics, current at the time of first publication. The contents do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Formal legal advice should be sought in particular matters.
BIA of NSW & SA LOGBOOK June 2015 - 21
Quality, efficiency and longevity are the principles upon which Grahame Anderson has built a global business
I
n Grahame Anderson’s business philosophy, there are no degrees of quality. The quest to deliver the best means there is no room for compromise. It is a creed that has elevated his small Adelaide business onto the global stage and into trusted partnerships with clients including some of the biggest international marine corporations. Hydrive Engineering, of which Grahame is General Manager, is based in the Adelaide industrial precinct of Wingfield. For such a big reputation, it is disconcerting to enter its small factory with only about 20 employees. But from wall to wall it is a place of precision with machines, tooling technologies and people that are geared in unison to unequalled quality control. Over the past four decades, Hydrive Engineering has specialised in producing defining hydraulic steering systems for boats in a trajectory of success that has elevated its client base from operators of small fishing boats to ocean going commercial vessels. There is a quite remarkable story about Grahame Anderson, the man at the helm of Hydrive Engineering. A former policeman who reluctantly left the force in 1972 to pursue his potential in the business world, Grahame joined a company operating an integrated group of businesses in tooling, electroplating, moulding and heat treatment. Manufacturing in Australia was thriving at that time and the company’s contracted clients included some of the biggest names in business such as Hills Industries, Scott Bonner, Wilkins Service, Horwood Bagshaw and Kelvinator. Under the parent company was a small enterprise called Hydrive Engineering that had developed expertise – but only a relatively small market – for its hydraulic steering systems for boats. Grahame had been appointed by the parent company as a salesman. But his real passion was for the factory floor and pushing the boundaries of design and precision engineering. He saw potential in Hydrive Engineering and convinced his bosses that within a year he could build the
business into a genuine force based on its ability to produce unrivalled hydraulic steering systems. “The concepts were simple, but unique and we could do it entirely inhouse,” he said. “The challenge was to create a market and then meet demand.” Grahame spent hundreds of hours on the factory floor to fully understand design and machining aspects of the business before he felt confident enough to go on the road offering steering solutions to recreational and commercial boat operators. “I also spent countless hours accessing contact details for marine dealers overseas and sent personal letters and brochures about our products,” he explained. Within twelve months, Grahame’s vision for the company was being realised with growing national sales and export orders to countries including the United States, South Africa and Singapore. In the mid 1980s, Hydrive Engineering was sold to new owners who purchased the business on the basis that Grahame
“We are competing on the world stage, but the things that define our business are unique designs ...” ran it, a condition to which he readily agreed and he was appointed general manager, later to become a director and shareholder. Over the past two decades, the company has continued to evolve with a growing emphasis on more efficient and powerful steering equipment to handle larger vessels, and greater horsepower on smaller vessels. For example, Hydrive Engineering was the first company in the world to develop the “bullhorn” steering system for outboard motors. As outboard technology advanced, the company continued to be at the forefront of change to deliver the ultimate steering capacity and resilience to wear. From its small, but sophisticated base in Adelaide, Hydrive Engineering is now the largest manufacturer of hydraulic steering systems in the southern Hemisphere with sales of more
22 - June 2015 BIA of NSW & SA LOGBOOK
Grahame Anderson.
than 600,000 units around the world. Along the way, it has won a host of accolades including four Australian Design Awards, the Premier’s Award for Design Excellence and two Boating Industry Association Awards for Innovation. Grahame is now 64, but his passion and drive for business success has not waned as he continues to push new boundaries in design, manufacturing and marketing excellence. Hydrive Engineering products will this year be prominent at major events including the China International Boat Show, Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, Sydney International Boat Show, Southampton Boat Show in the United Kingdom, the Marine Equipment Trade Show in The Netherlands, Asia Pacific Maritime in Singapore and the Taiwan International Boat Show. A remarkable aspect of it all is that Grahame is largely self-taught. He is proud of the company’s success and the commitment to quality of its skilled employees. “We are competing on the world stage, but the things that define our business are unique designs and an unwavering policy of quality control that delivers operational longevity,” he said. “When people visit us, including industry representatives from overseas, they are quite surprised at the size of our factory. It is compact, but we have integrated the most sophisticated machinery and we manufacture almost entirely in-house.” Hydrive Engineering is one of South Australia’s longest-serving members of the BIA.
Rob Cuming is a true believer in supporting the industry in which he has built his success
Rob Cuming.
R
ob Cuming, the new Chairman of the BIA SA, is a career achiever in the boating industry. From the time he began an apprenticeship as an outboard mechanic at South Road Marine in Adelaide in 1986, Rob had a clear plan to develop his own business. At the age of 22, he turned that plan into reality opening his own dealership, Christies Beach Marine, selling Mariner outboards and Bermuda aluminium boats. “The dealership was on a former service station corner block overlooking the sea,” he recalled. “The view was great, but business was pretty slow at the beginning. However, I was confident I could make it work.” And that he did! In 1997, Rob relocated the business to bigger premises at Lonsdale and introduced the Webster aluminium range to his retail stock. Within three years, he moved to another factory at Lonsdale to establish a firmer footing for the expanding business. In 2003, Rob purchased the Northbank brand, including the moulds of 5.5 metre, six metre and 6.5 metre vessels, and developed a purpose-built factory at Lonsdale to construct the boats, later creating a range of new models and establishing an Australia-wide dealer network. Two years ago, Rob partnered with Peter Heinrich to purchase Sports Marine in the northern suburb of Gepps Cross specialising in new Haines Hunter, Arvor and Stacer craft and accessories, along with a wide range of quality second hand boats. More recently, Rob and Peter, along with another industry identity, Andrew Stephen, opened a new dealership in Victoria called Melbourne Marine Centre. It has been quite a journey for Rob, who developed a love of boats from a young age. “There have been some big moves, but really it has all been about careful and deliberate steps to build the business,” he said. “We have been loyal to our suppliers, including Mercury and Dunbier trailers, since the inception of the business. One important measure of Rob’s success is in his commitment to the industry that has supported his business. He has been a member of the BIA in SA since 1993 and has served the past five years on Board positions including Vice Chairman and Chairman of the BIA SA Retail Committee. Rob’s other key positions including Board member of
the BIAA and BIA NSW & SA Limited, and a member of the AMSA Steering Committee. “I am very honoured to be Chairman of the BIA SA and acknowledge the excellent and dedicated work of Andrew Hayes, who preceded me in this position,” Rob said. “The BIA SA has been through a very significant transition period through the merger with our NSW Association, and the appointment of George Bolton as General Manager to succeed Glen Jones, who will continue his excellent work in government relations on behalf of the industry. “Our focus is very much on developing the membership base of the BIA SA and steadily building exhibitor and visitor participation in the Adelaide Boat Show. “In that context, it is very pleasing to see that our major dealers have swung their support behind the 2015 Boat Show and we are confident it will establish a solid foundation for further development of our premier public event.”
Brokers Breakfast reboots MBA Committee
The AGM of the Marine Brokers Division of BIA was held in May with the standing committee returned … along with a couple of new faces. Peter Maddock, new chief at Lake Macquarie’s Australian Boat Brokers, and well-known broker and big-brand agent Matt Willett have stepped up, joining the established line up of Michael Joyce, Nicky Vaux, Andrew Howden, Paul Miletta, Adam Waters, Andrew Coffey, and Chairman Michael Jarvin. (Attendees Jason Ash and John Cowpe are also pictured). Like most others, the brokerage sector has been buffeted by headwinds these last few years, though word on the water is that confidence is returning to the buyers market, if not yet the vendor side where competition for listings is stiff. The room was enthused by discussion of national mergers and expected enhancement of BIA events and industry support programs. As ever, the networking among professionals in this space was key, and the opportunity to trade industry intelligence – and discuss the odd conjunctive deal – did not go begging. Future focus of the MBA committee will be online advertising strategies, administrative tools, and prospects for resumption of training and professional development programs. For further information please contact Alan Barrett at BIA on 9438 2077.
BIA of NSW & SA LOGBOOK June 2015 - 23
George Bolton brings business acumen and communication skills to his new role with BIA SA
G
eorge Bolton’s appointment as General Manager of the BIA SA is the latest in a series of influential positions that he has held with the peak industry body. A career businessman, George has been a BIA Board Member for the past 15 years, during which he served as Treasurer (2004-2005) and President (2007-2012). He was a key player in negotiations between the BIA SA and BIA NSW culminating in a merger of the two associations in 2014 to create the BIA NSW & SA Limited, of which he was a Board member. George has been a long-standing Board Member and Treasurer of the Boating Industry Alliance of Australia, formerly the Australian Marine Industry Federation. He was also a government appointee to the Jet Ski Consultative Committee. He brings extensive managerial and “coalface” business experience and expertise to the position of General Manager of the BIA SA succeeding Glen Jones, who has moved into a key special projects role with the Association. In 1973, George was appointed Managing Director of the family business, Boltons Kawasaki, which was established by his father in 1924. The business specialised in importing, distributing and retailing famous motorcycle brands along with power and refrigeration products, later also becoming a major dealer of personal watercraft. George remained at the helm of Boltons Kawasaki until 2012, when he sold the business. Over the years he has also been Managing Director of associated enterprises including Japanese Motorcycle Dismantlers, Lietzke Doors (which manufactured internal doors for the Royal Australian Navy’s Collins Craft submarines), Soma Distributors and Solarmatic Systems. He was on the Board of Management of the Motor Trade Association of SA from 1990 to 2012 and was honoured with Life Membership in 2013. Apart from his diverse business interests, George has been a member, Treasurer and President of the Adelaide West Rotary Club, is the treasurer of the Saints Athletics Club and he is a Trustee of the City Bay Fun Run Trust.
Boat safe
check the weather
Always check the weather before and during boating. Weather reports are readily available. Log onto www.bom.gov.au or call Maritime on 13 12 56 for up-to-date reports. A marine band radio helps you keep in touch with weather reports regularly, especially if changes are predicted. If in doubt, don’t go out. www.bia.org.au p. 02 9438 2077 For employment in the marine industry log onto the BIA website and click on “Employment & Training” For boating weather go to www.bom.gov.au/marine Be part of the boating community
24 - June 2015 BIA of NSW & SA LOGBOOK
George Bolton.
From the outset of his appointment as General Manager of BIA SA, George made a priority of engaging directly with Association members and industry participants in metropolitan and country areas. “I have always felt it is important to have face-to-face contact with people in business and I have spent a lot of time travelling to meet with current and former BIA members and prospective new members,” he said. “This has allowed me to gain some important insights into the expertise and diversity of businesses in the marine and associated industries and the passion of the people operating them. “I have emphasised that the BIA is owned by the members for the members. It is primarily about improving the sustainability of the recreational and light commercial boating industry, in turn supporting businesses within the industry. Our major strength is in their numbers. “Through my meetings around the State, I have been able to address questions about the merger of the SA and NSW associations and highlighted the benefits of membership including advocacy, and vital supporting services including industrial and workplace health and safety advice, and travel insurance. “I have also taken on board any issues raised with me in these meetings. “Overall, there has been a very positive response and this has helped to generate exciting new participation levels among exhibitors for the 2015 Adelaide Boat Show.”
Use the BIA logo Boating Industry Association
Let your customers know that you are a member of the BIA and comply with the BIA’s Code of Practice
15_BIA LOGO ADVERT.indd 1
20/4/10 3:09:10 PM
St George Motor Boat Club Accredited ‘Fish Friendly’
HELLO SAILOR
Colin Bransgrove (MIA), Brent McKinnon (Club Marine), Bill Talbot (Fisheries NSW), David Blyth (SGMBC President) & Mark Norden (SGMBC Marina Manager).
S
t George Motor Boat Club (SGMBC) has been officially recognised as a ‘Fish Friendly Marina’ by the Marina Industries Association (MIA) and is the first facility in Sydney’s southern region to achieve this status. The Club is now the 16th ‘Fish Friendly’ accredited marina in Australia to participate in the information campaign and accreditation program which was launched in 2013. The program focuses on marina fish habits and was developed by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) in collaboration with the Marina Industries Association (MIA) and the NSW Boating Industry Association (BIA). The initiative is attached to MIA’s International Clean Marinas Program and is available to marinas across the Asia Pacific region. Additional fish friendly criteria and an audit are requirements to achieve Fish Friendly Marina accreditation. The initiative has received positive support from numerous government departments and authorities across Australia. MIA Executive Officer Colin Bransgrove said, “Marinas can provide important habitats for fish and the ‘Fish Friendly Marinas’ program has been developed to inform marina managers on how to maximise the benefits for fish and recognise those operators actively working to improve fish habitat. “I congratulate St George Motor Boat Club, which holds Level 3 International Clean Marina status, on its significant commitment to protecting and preserving their valuable marine habitat and communicating their efforts to customers and visitors,” Colin said. Bill Talbot, Director Aquaculture & Aquatic Environment, Primary Industries NSW in presenting the certification to the Club, also congratulated the marina for its efforts in gaining ‘Fish Friendly’ status. “The rapid uptake of the Fish Friendly Marinas program has been exceptional,” said Mr Talbot. “The Marina Industry Association, Boating Industry Association and individual accredited marinas are providing a shining example of industry best practice and environmental stewardship.” Mark Norden, SGMBC’s Marina Manager said “we are proud to be accredited with this exciting initiative”. “We are committed to ensuring our marina is of the highest environmental standard through participation in programs such as Clean Marinas. “We have all fully embraced the opportunity to meet the fish friendly criteria,” Mr Norden added.
30 July to 3 August 2015
BIA of NSW & SA LOGBOOK June 2015 - 25
Gordon Peek steps down after 42 years by Bob Wonders
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can’t imagine anyone with a lengthy term in the boating industry not knowing Gordon Peek. After all, Gordon has just retired after an astonishing (and highly successful) 42-years in the business, finishing up as General Manager, Brooker Marine. Not bad for a guy who signed on as a truck driver delivering scaffolding back in 1973. In the early days, Gordon operated from the company’s major facility at Chatswood, on Sydney’s North Shore. Following the passing of company founder Norm Brooker some time ago, the company was sold to a group of investors and the Chatswood operation was closed down, the facility moved to Lidcombe, in Sydney’s west. Brooker Marine was only about two-years old when Gordon joined, having been formed by Norm Brooker who was at the time also operating a successful engineering business manufacturing scaffolding among other engineering byproducts. Norm saw an opportunity to produce an affordable, wellbuilt aluminium boat range that would appeal to boaters and anglers alike. As history now tells us, Norm knew exactly what he was about. Brooker boats and boat trailers have made an indelible mark on the Australian boating industry, their rugged build, meticulous construction and efficient designs winning many plaudits. Gordon Peek recalls servicing more than 50 dealers “back in the good old days”, with many of them remaining Brooker dealers for many, many years. “The company’s longest-serving dealership would be Bob Halliday and John Troy at Liverpool’s Go Boating,” Gordon said. Today’s Brooker boats cover a range of applications, all suited to both family boating and angling, with centre consoles, dinghies, runabouts and half-cabin designs available. The company has never “dabbled” in fibreglass or poly materials, sticking to what it knows best, aluminium, according to Gordon. Brooker boat trailers are probably better-known than the boat range and back in the 1970s and 1980s, Gordon recalls, Boeing Trailers dominated the boat trailer market like no other. They remain a major force, offering braked, non-braked and tandem-braked trailers to suit a multitude of boat sizes and designs. Now in what may come as a surprise to many, Gordon Peek for the past 27-years has lived at gorgeous St George’s Basin, near Sussex Inlet, on the NSW south coast. I can hear people already asking, how did a man living that far from Sydney carry out his duties at Chatswood and later Lidcombe? Well, it’s like this, every Friday afternoon Gordon signed off, jumped in his car and headed south to the coast. Every Monday morning, he jumped in the same car and headed north to the ‘big smoke’.
26 - June 2015 BIA of NSW & SA LOGBOOK
He managed this by keeping a small flat at Balmain which served as his home away from home in between the weekends. Gordon has no plans to completely take it easy in retirement. He intends to maintain contact and interest in the boating industry and at home I’d suggest there’s plenty to keep him busy in the form of 15 grandchildren and two great grandchildren! Pretty fine effort for a 73-year-old! Gordon Peek has been one of the boating industry’s “Mr Nice Guys” and I’m sure many people will join with me in bidding him “well done, enjoy your golden years.”
LIFEJACKETS
You must have an approved lifejacket for each person on board. Check that they are in good condition and everyone knows where they are stored. It is recommended that children wear a lifejacket whenever in a boat. Make sure it is the right size and properly fitted. Be prepared - have a drill so people know what to do if there is an accident. It is compulsory to wear a lifejacket when crossing a coastal bar.
ENJOY SAFE BOATING www.bia.org.au Ph: 02 9438 2077
For employment in the marine industry log onto www.bia.org.au and click on ‘Employment ... Jobs Vacant/Jobs Wanted’ For boating weather log onto www.bom.gov.au/marine
Boating Industry Association
Radio Reekie ... where the tide is always ... Hi? by Bob Wonders
I
t has been said (often) that Kieran Reekie has an excellent head for radio. Hang on, that’s a bit rude, who said that? Well, actually, it was me, I said that and I’ve said it quite often. You see, ‘the Reek’ (as I often refer to him) and I go back about 40-years and there are many stories I could tell you about our relationship. Sadly, many of those tales must remain untold, for I have no desire to involve the police or end up in court. There are some incidents I can recount, like the time the Reek wandered into a weird bar in Miami Beach, or the time when he was quite convinced he actually met Zorro! I also recall him enjoying what appeared to be an enthralling conversation with a flock of ducks! That’s all part and parcel of my mate Reekie. We actually met through our love of Rugby League – he was a Parramatta fan while I followed the North Sydney Bears. At various times, neither of us enjoyed too many victories. However, drowning our sorrows was made easier by the fact that I handled various public relations duties for Tooth and Co Limited (brewer of Resch’s and KB) and the Reek’s employer was the distributor for Famous Grouse Scotch and Veuve Clicquot champagne. That definitely helped. Way back, about 1988 I recall, Reekie changed direction somewhat radically. It came about via the late John Begg who had ‘invented’ a radio program for Sydney radio station 2KY. Kieran Reekie came aboard as the show’s sales manager and proved quite successful, so much so that he eventually became the ‘talking head’ driving the show, now known on Sydney airwaves as Hi-Tide. Fishing and boating became the major ingredients for Hi-Tide and no doubt much of its success stemmed from the fact that there was nothing else like it. Simply put, if you liked fishing and boating and you had a radio, 2KY was where the needle on the dial settled. Fortunately, ‘the Reek’ knows a lot of people and those he didn’t know he somehow “conned” to take part on Hi-Tide. Alan Blake, proprietor of Blakes Marine and currently President of the BIA of NSW has been a major contributor to Hi-Tide for more than 20-years (I hope he wasn’t there for the money!) while angling guru Bruce Schumacher took part for about 18-years. Other legendary identities who helped the Hi-Tide ratings included the late John Dunphy, former Rugby League hardman Noel Kelly, popular television weatherman Mike Bailey and renowned anglers like Steve Starling, Ian Miller, Tim Simpson, Peter Johnson and lure guru Peter Pakula. They all played major roles in the on-going popularity of the show. Other prominent personalities included ace yachtsman Michael Spies, author Rob Mundle, the late Andrew Short, television presenter Paul Burt and international cricketers from the past in Jeff Thomson and Len Pascoe. Sometimes, if the Reek was desperately short of on-air talent, he even called on me to say a few words, usually
related to various boat shows, but I’m unable to claim my dulcet tones would have helped the ratings. Then, following the sale of station 2KY to the TAB, the new owners decided Hi-Tide was not really the format needed and the Reek and Hi-Tide were “given the chop.” Fortunately, a gentleman named Mike Niu, a former 2KY staffer now working at 2SM, contacted the Reek and before you could place a bet with the TAB Hi-Tide had a new home. The Reek and his partners in crime are now heard right along Australia’s eastern seaboard each weekend, with the latest boating and fishing news hot from the studio. Ratings for the show have remained remarkably consistent and advertisers certainly seem content with the coverage it delivers. Many advertisers have been with Hi-Tide for lengthy periods and even the BIA of NSW makes use of the show for advertising its major boat shows. At present, Hi-Tide can be heard every Saturday and Sunday in the 4am to 7am time slot (they’re early risers, those fishos). The Reek is looking for the necessary approval from station management to add one hour, to 8am. I can only report that the Reek has changed enormously since our early days together; then, he was much more likely to be arriving home at 4am, not starting work. In conclusion, in case you were waiting for me to recount the clash between the Reek’s dog and the man with the Golden Tonsils, John Laws, well, sorry about that, I promised I would not mention it. I swore black and blue I would make no reference to the Reek’s dog depositing what was either breakfast or lunch on John Laws’ walkway.
BIA of NSW & SA LOGBOOK June 2015 - 27
2015 Club Marine Trailer Boat Fishing Tournament by Tony Poole
H
eld annually on the magnificent waterways of Port Stephens the Club Marine Trailer Boat Fishing Tournament (TBFT) is attended by many groups of families and friends who enjoy a wide range of species and lucky draw prizes from the generous and dedicated sponsors. All this contributes toward the TBFT’s long term success. Of course, the onshore displays, competent staffing, good food, plus fine weather and top fishing also help. Twenty two years young and it just keeps getting better. The TBFT was originally designed to attract anglers of all ages and skill levels who do not normally go in fishing tournaments. It still stays true to these ideals. You don’t need to be in a fishing club, the rules are simple, and the 14 species categories ensure both inshore and offshore species are equally catered for. Neophyte anglers may never be able to complete equally with the likes of the highly skilled 2015 Senior Champion Angler Paul Lennon who fished over 15 hours per day for 14 points to include a huge 5.770Kg flathead, 3.646Kg flathead plus two Tailor in his winning score. They can however get lucky in many of the species or enjoy success in the many lucky draws over the weekend. One such lucky angler was Tim Wedlock from Sydney who won a Savage Big Boy powered by a powerful 30HP Evinrude E‐TEC engine, covered by Club Marine insurance, with a Lowrance sounder, on a registered trailer all put together by local Evinrude dealer Bay Boat Sales. In fact, there are around the same number of lucky draws as there are species prizes. The standout performer in the Juniors (under 16) was by far and away Sam Millauro from Sydney who amassed a massive 29 points by winning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in Flounder, 2nd in Morwong, 1st & 2nd in Teragalin, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in Tuna to deservedly win the 2015 Champion Junior Angler mantle. Runner up in the Juniors with 17 points was Regan Astley
15014 – Greg Harrison (LH) and John Ambrose (RH) with their 2nd & 1st place Mulloway.
with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in Bream and 1st & 2nd in Tailor. Runner up Senior Champion was Cameron Boyce who won on 10 points on countback from 2x winner Noel Martin. A top effort by all these anglers and their support teams. For their efforts they took home prizes from Club Marine insurance, Costa Sunglasses, 3M Marine, Shimano tackle, Samurai rods and Atomic tackle, Alvey Tackle and BlueBottle Fishing Chiller Bags. At Saturday’s Rock Lobster Restaurant BBQ, a number of people commented on how few people turned up for the BBQ, Lucky Draws and the Samurai Rod simulator competition. Loads of anglers chose to stay out and enjoy the perfect conditions. They knew that by not being at the Lucky Draws they could have missed out on prizes such as holidays at Cote d’Azur Apartments, or Treetop Cabins at One Mile Beach. Even temptations like prizes from Alistain, Costa, Shimano and a Lowrance sounder/plotter couldn’t bring them in. The good news is that this increased the likelihood of all those attending to win a prize because the rules are that an angler must be present to collect any lucky draw prizes. Special thanks must go to the team at Shoal Bay Fishing
go easy
on the drink Don’t go overboard with alcohol The blood alcohol limit on the water is the same as on the roads – 0.05%. Be careful as the wind, waves and the sun multiply the effects of alcohol. RBT also applies on waterways www.bia.org.au p. 02 9438 2077 For employment in the marine industry log onto the BIA website and click on “Employment & Training” For boating weather go to www.bom.gov.au/marine Be part of the boating community
28 - June 2015 BIA of NSW & SA LOGBOOK
15685 – Club Marine’s Corey Yeung was on hand to present the Evinrude Big Daddy Lucky Draw Prize to a very lucky Wade Compton. This boat was beautifully prepared by Wayne Palise from Bay Boat Sales. Wayne also had a large display of Evinrude powered craft on display with the new “Tranformer” Evinrudes drawing plenty of attention.
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Juniors were well rewarded for their efforts with prizes from Club Marine, Alvey, Shimano & Frogleys Offshore. Â Here Matilda Thomas shows off her swag for her 1st Place Junior Flathead which weighed 3.244 Kg.
Club for their effort in running the tournament over the weekend and Marine Rescue Port Stephens for keeping track of competitors while on the water. A few may benefit from this type of help on land. Full results and photos are available at www.tbft.com.au along with links to our many sponsors websites. The 2016 Club Marine Trailer Boat Fishing Tournament will be held 18, 19, 20 March. Because around 80% of competitors are visitors to the Port Stephens area, by avoiding Easter & School Holidays the accommodation is a lot cheaper and the area is less crowded. On matters accommodation, follow the links on our Sponsors page for good accommodation and marina berthing deals. I look forward to welcoming you and tour team to the next Club Marine Trailer Boat Fishing Tournament from 1820 March 2016.
Published four times per year with a print run of over 1,000 copies, Logbook is distributed to BIA members, associates, industry stakeholders and selected friends of the BIA.
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Inserts also available Members $300.00 Non-members $600.00
Information: All prices are for finished artwork supplied by the advertiser and exclude GST. Advertising is subject to space availability and the BIA reserves the right to reject advertising. For publication dates and specifications, please email info@bia.org.au
To book advertising, contact the BIA on 02 9438 2077 Frogleys Offshore were kept busy all weekend with their fishing simulators. Many trade displays surrounded the park to give the area a fair-like atmosphere.
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BIA of NSW & SA LOGBOOK June 2015 - 29
Boating Safety Education Centre at Watsons Bay Pilot Station
Construction of the pontoon is well under way.
T
he transformation of the Watsons Bay Pilot Station into a Boating Safety Education Centre is nearly complete. As I write, the piles are in place and waiting for the new pontoon to be fitted. It is the final piece in this extensive renovation to turn the old Pilot Station into a quality education centre for teaching safe boating skills. The journey has been a long one – the warren of corridors and offices were ripped out and replaced with a huge boat storage area, classroom and changing rooms and the outside restored, painted and fitted with brand new privacy screens. With the pontoon in place the centre will now be ready for on-water training activities, and an official opening is being planned for the end of June. RMS have invested nearly $1.5m in the redevelopment of the Pilot Station, to provide an industry class facility that will be a legacy to boating safety educational
activities for many years to come. In addition, the BIA has been successful in applying for funding from the NSW Government through its Water Safety Black Spots Fund, enabling the centre to be fully equipped with stateof-the-art teaching equipment, vessels, safety gear and resources to make the whole educational experience a fun and fulfilling one. Purchases also include Hansa sailing dinghies and a C-Crane to accommodate those with limited mobility. The centre is also equipped with a chair lift and wheelchair accessible facilities. The focus of the centre is for notfor-profit organisations to provide the opportunity for a wide variety of people to learn necessary skills and gain knowledge to enjoy safe and fun boating. It also provides an excellent environment for snorkelling and studying marine life and ecology, and learning how to care for our precious waterways
Just a reminder … With some of the training you do, you are required to ‘refresh’ your skills to keep them sharp – this is true for Fire Extinguisher, Fire Warden and First Aid training. Australian Standards recommend you refresh these skills every 12 months, and with your First Aid certificate you are required to recertify every three years as it expires. Remember, if you need to refresh your First Aid certificate, you should make sure you undertake the training before your certificate expires. BIA offers refresher training for fire and first aid skills in NSW. Full details can be found at www.bia.org.au/training, or simply call (02) 9438 2077.
30 - June 2015 BIA of NSW & SA LOGBOOK
– knowledge that will ensure our waterways remain pristine and safe for everyone to enjoy boating in all its forms now and for the future. A variety of programs and activities are in development, including snorkelling, sailing, kayaking and motor boat training, in addition to the Boat Smart days which are run by the Marine Teachers’ Association for High School Students as part of their Marine Studies. The pontoon will also become the location for an exciting research project looking at the marine growth and development on the new structure. The Pilot Station has already been busy: Marine Teachers and High School students have taken to the water in kayaks and sailing dinghies, Paddle NSW have held a couple of training sessions there and Yachting NSW will use the centre to run motor boat courses. Interest has also come from Sailability, Sailors with disAbilities, Sydney Heritage Fleet, Sydney Institute of Marine Science, and Tribal Warrior. The whole Industry is invited to get involved with the Pilot Station, by becoming a Sponsor or Ambassador. This is a fantastic opportunity to support a facility that encourages young people to engage with the recreational boating lifestyle, get active on the water, to enjoy and look after the marine environment and, ultimately, to be safe and have fun. To find out more, email corrina@bia. org.au or call (02) 9438 2077.
Marine Card Training Calendar 2015 Now is the time to start planning to get your Marine Card! Book early to reserve your space – visit www.bia. org.au/training to download a booking form. 21 July 8am to 12 Artarmon 27 August 1pm to 5pm Sans Souci 15 September 8am to 12 Artarmon 13 October 8am to 12 Batemans Bay 17 November 9am to 1pm Newport
Other training available – on demand
Please ask about ‘on-demand’ training – we can come to you (minimum numbers required). Call 9438 2077 to find out more. • Fire Warden Training • Apply First Aid • Fire Extinguisher Training
Walcon Marine Australia
• Marinas • Pontoons • Yacht Harbours • Jetties • Walkways WALCON MARINE AUSTRALIA PTY LTD enquiries@walconmarineaustralia.com.au www.walconmarineaustralia.com.au National: 1300 MARINA (1300 627 462)
Marine Insurance The marine industry is highly diversified and specialised. So too are the insurance needs of marine businesses and individuals. As a marine industry broking specialist, IC Frith have worked closely with the BIA to provide members with exclusive rates and Insurance programmes that are unique to the market. IC Frith has a national network of insurance advisers with marine expertise and experience. Coupled with our extensive facilities and programmes with preferred insurers, we help marine clients get insurance placed correctly and at competitive rates. Our demonstrated commitment to the Marine Industry is unwavering and returns substantial benefits to industry members. Trust IC Frith with your insurance concerns, so you can concentrate on your business.
We offer state-of-the-art insurance for the following specialist areas: • Repairers (Exclusive Ship Repairers Liability Programme) • Commercial Hull, yacht and pleasurecraft • Marinas • Importers / Exporters • Boat Dealers / Retailers • Yacht and Boat Clubs • Marine Surveyors • Boat and Yacht Builders
Our tailored solutions protect against the following: • Material damage to assets • Business Interruption • Theft Cover • Liabilities arising from your activities • Directors’ & Officers’ liabilities • Exhibitions / Demonstrations • Transit • Motor Vehicle
For more information please contact our dedicated marine team on
marine@icfrith.com.au or tel: 1300 000 423