AUSTRALIA: The latest economic survey of the health of the Australian marina industry reveals that its 291 marina facilities contribute $2.24 billion to the national economy, provide premises for over 2,600 small businesses and support close to 22,000 jobs. The industry is performing well, with average berth occupancy exceeding 86%.
Coomera Marine Precinct, Queensland.
The survey, conducted every two years by the Marina Industry Association (MIA) and largely funded by International Marina Consultants (IMC), revealed Queensland as a predictable highlight: home to the largest marinas in the country; housing around 320 boats at each facility; and reporting the highest average turnover at $3.4 million. Over 80% of the marinas lease space to marine related tenancies, most of which are small business operators who provide services to boaters. Underscoring the employment contributions of marinas, each marina employs about 14 Queenslanders and further engages over 50 contractors. With an election looming, the industry is keen to ensure that future state governments appreciate the value that the marina industry brings to the economy and the impact it also has on the tourism sector, with many tour operators, particularly in North Queensland, operating from marinas. Head researcher and report author, Dr Ed Mahoney of Michigan State University, notes that governments need to facilitate more efficient assessment and approval frameworks: “The findings indicate there is a need for additional marina boat storage capacity, especially on-water storage spaces, in many locations in Australia. A high percentage of marinas cannot accommodate additional boats and already have waiting lists for spaces that become open,” he says. “An increasingly tight supply of on-water boat storage is likely to negatively impact boat sales, drive up the price of both on-water and on-land marina boat storage alternatives and have a negative effect on the recreational boating industry in Australia. There is a need to encourage a more favourable climate for marina operational development. This includes educating residents and elected officials about the economic contribution of marinas including support of jobs and labour income.” The full 61-page report is available for purchase on the MIA website www.marinas.net.au
