2016 annual review - bia
TRANSCRIPT
2016 ANNUAL REVIEW
2016 was our most extensive year yet operating as a national organisation, with the
membership from Queensland joining their New South Wales and South Australian
colleagues; and with the first full year of engagement of our national CEO, Howard
Glenn.
The Board discussed and adopted a business plan through to the middle of 2017,
with six priorities:
• Financial management
• Organisational development
• Grow boating
• A national program of Boat Shows
• Member programs
• Advocacy
All of our goals are progressing well, with solid foundations being laid for further transformation in 2017. At the
end of 2016, we undertook a review of senior staff, ready to implement a new, lighter structure in the new year.
The Board has approved investment from our reserves in new products and services, which shows as a deficit
in the financial statements. However we are intending to return the organisation to surplus in 2017, as our
investments in new services start to make returns.
What follows below is a story of gradual, sensible growth of activity, reaching out to the new membership, and
the development of priorities as we change in size and scale.
I take this opportunity to thank the staff of the organisation for their work in 2016. But in particular, I also thank
the many members who volunteer their time on committees, our three State Councils, and my fellow Board
Directors. I’m sure you will agree that there has been much achieved, and that there is more to come as we
build a strong national voice for our industry.
Alan Blake
President
2016 – A YEAR OF ACHIEVEMENTS FOR THE BOATING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
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BOATING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION ABN 61 000 618 468 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | 4
GOVERNANCE AND PEOPLEThe BIA is the voice of the recreational and light commercial marine industry, promoting safe, recreational boating as a positive and rewarding lifestyle for Australians.
The Association strives to ensure that our members’
voices are heard in all relevant government, community
and industry forums, to ensure any decisions that
impact this lifestyle truly consider the needs of the
boating community. The main objective of the BIA
is to support and improve the sustainability of the
recreational and light commercial marine industry.
The BIA represents an industry that generates an
annual turnover of $8 billion, exporting $1 billion in
products and services.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS (NATIONAL)
• President – Alan Blake
• Vice President – Rob Cuming
• Treasurer – Lyndon Turner (until
2016 AGM
• Director – Allen Buckley
• Director – Simon Cook
• Director – Craig Evans
• Director – Michael Jarvin
• Director – Nicholas Kitchen
• Director – Nathan Nichols
• Director – Paul Phelan
• Director – Peter Tucker (until
2016 AGM)
• Director – Darren Vaux
STATE COUNCILLORS – NEW SOUTH WALES
• Chairman – Alan Blake
• Deputy Chairman – Simon Cook
• Councillor – Lyndon Turner
• Councillor – Alan Steber
• Councillor – Michael Jarvin
• Councillor – David Randall
• Councillor – Paul Burgess
• Councillor – Jon Hunt
• Councillor – Ken Bullen
• Councillor – Shannon Stocks
• Councillor – Terry Wise
• Councillor – Bill Breakspear
STATE COUNCILLORS –SOUTH AUSTRALIA
• Chairman – Rob Cuming
• Councillor – Craig Evans
• Councillor – Allen Buckley
• Councillor – Andrew Craddock
• Councillor – Trish Flaherty
• Councillor – John Marini
• Councillor – David Binks
• Councillor – Peter Heinrich
• Councillor – Dean Forster
• Councillor – Stuart Myles
• Councillor – Peter Tucker
STATE COUNCILLORS – QUEENSLAND
• Chairman – Andrew Fielding
• Councillor – Matthew Hodson
• Councillor – Aaron Goodchild
• Councillor – Paul Phelan
• Councillor – Nathan Nichols
• Councillor – Nicholas Kitchen
• Councillor – Mark Suttle
• Councillor – Darryl Greentree (until
2016 AGM)
• Councillor – Ross Geurts
• Councillor – Norm Ambrose
• Councillor – Steve Sammes
• Councillor – Peter Ruhle
STAFF
• National Chief Executive Officer – Howard Glenn
• Company Secretary – Roy Privett
• General Manager, Member Services – Nik Parker
• National Manager, Member Events & Marketing – Domenic Genua
• National Manager, Member Programs – Alan Barrett
• Financial Controller – Simon Hazelbrook
• Operations Manager – James Thompson
• Marketing & Events Coordinator – Robyn Wingrove
• Marketing & Communication Coordinator – Megan Robson
• Marketing, Events & Special Projects – Phil McDermott
• General Manager, Houseboat Hirers – Peter Tucker
• General Manager, South Australia – George Bolton
• Queensland Manager – Aaron McKenna
• Education & Training Coordinator – Corrina McMillan
• Membership Support Officer – Jenny Bellaver
• Office Administration and Reception – Linda English
• Executive Assistant/Office Coordinator – Julie Harris
• NSW Member Services – Shane Wilson
• Manager – Watsons Bay Pilot Station – Sonia Robinson
BOATING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION ABN 61 000 618 468 2016 ANNUAL REVIEW | 4
The Boating Industry Association is governed by a
voluntary National Board chaired by Alan Blake, and
supported by a professional staff, led since the end of
2015 by a national Chief Executive Officer, Howard Glenn.
The full list of people engaged at some time during the
year in the leadership of the Association follows.
Membership renewals for 2016 commenced in late January with 675
members renewing from the membership list of NSW, SA and Qld. With a
number of businesses ceasing to trade, a number of mergers and then a
limited number of members deciding not to renew, the overall retention rate
from 2015 was approximately 90%, very much in line with historical records
and the norm in industry associations (as reported by Associations Forum
Member Retention Survey, June 2016).
The state-by-state breakdown of members showed 360 located in NSW, 100
in SA and 215 in Qld, with a handful reporting a head office based in Victoria
or WA. The SA membership has swelled in 2016 with the Houseboat Hirers
Association formally merging with the BIA at the end of 2015.
With the introduction of a new turnover-based subscription model for 2016 – to accommodate the variations across the three states’
previous fixed-fee model and to more closely align the subscription with a
member’s ability to contribute to the operating costs of the BIA – there were
understandably a number of members who were unsure about how the system
worked and what impact it had on their membership. BIA worked with these
members to explain the benefits of membership and to help them determine
the appropriate tier of membership subscription for their business, noting most
importantly that the tier of membership subscription did not in any way impact
their access to member services, with all members being of equal standing.
Overall, the response to the new system was well received with members
valuing the support, tangible and intangible benefits they receive from being a
part of the national industry association.
Understanding of the industry profile was enhanced by the turnover-based
subscription model, providing BIA with a good insight into the make-up
of the industry, with members’ electing one of five tiers of turnover giving
a benchmark value of the industry for future years. Across the national
membership, 45% of companies reported a turnover of less than $500,000,
in line with previous national surveys of the value of the sector. Of this
number, around a quarter are sole-traders, the remainder employing two or
three people. The highest proportion of these tier one members is in South
Australia, with around 75% being considered micro-businesses. Queensland
members showed the lowest percentage of tier one memberships at 38% and
the highest level of tier five memberships at 3%.
JANUARY
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2016 HIGHLIGHTS OF ACTIVITIES
BIA strengthened its presence in Queensland with the
appointment of Aaron McKenna as East Coast Manager - Member
Services, building on the support provided by Member Services
Officer, Jenny Bellaver. Aaron and Jenny have extensive experience
and knowledge of the boating industry and BIA members, having
both worked for the BIA previously. Aaron established a new BIA
office in the Coomera Marine Precinct, providing a local contact point
for members in Qld, supplementing this with a program of member
visits conducted throughout the year.
The Standards Australia Small and Inflatable Boat committee met at the beginning of March to review the portfolio
of standards for boat design and build that are used in Australia.
The BIA has taken the lead in reinvigorating the committee and has
gained support from a number of stakeholders, including federal
and state marine safety agencies, for an update of a number of the
key standards, including the AS 1799 series, AS 4132 series and
supporting specific product standards. In the mix is also a proposal
to review and update the Australian Builders Plate standard and to
consider how conformity assessment and compliance management
can be improved.
The 2016 Sydney Trailer Boat Show was held in Sydney Olympic
Park, and the show continued its downward trend in exhibitor
numbers. In part this was due to a decreasing number of industry
participants, but notably linked to challenging economic conditions.
Whilst visitor numbers were moderate, feedback indicated
discomfort with the diversity on offer.
Discussions began with the SA Government about developing
a more strategic approach to the allocation of funding to boating
infrastructure, building on work that had been done in Qld and NSW in
recent years. These discussions firmed up, with the SA Government
commissioning the BIA to prepare a five year strategic plan for boating.
Field work and public consultations began on this project in the last
quarter of the year.
FEBRUARY
MARCH
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Standardised documentation for brokers, sale of
goods and service and berthing and storage contracts
was published to provide BIA Members with access to
contracts and forms tailored for the industry based on
best practice guidance, backed up with legal advice from
BIA Legal Partner Madison Marcus Lawyers. Ongoing work
with brokers in Qld and NSW saw further refinement and
enhancement of broker documentation with updated drafts
released later in the year.
Proposals for the Gold Coast being designated a formal Port of Entry were given a significant boost with
Minister for Immigration Peter Dutton expressing support
for the idea following discussions with BIA and leading
members in the region. A strong campaign to enlist the
support of local MPs, both state and federal, plus key
agencies such as Gold Coast Waterways Authority and City
of Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, has helped bring the idea of
a Gold Coast Port of Entry closer to reality. Expectations
include increased business from visiting yachts, particularly
superyachts transiting the east coast, and delivering
valuable benefits to a range of marine businesses in the
region. The Minister’s support referenced the plans for
the new cruise terminal in the Broadwater and the 2018
Commonwealth Games, both of which will benefit greatly
from a local clearance station.
APRIL
MAY
Safety management on the River Murray was
enriched with the River Murray Boating and Recreational
Advisory Group (RMBRAG) launch of a series of nine
short educational videos and a Code of Conduct for
watersports on the river. BIA is a key partner of RMBRAG
and was pleased to support the production of the video
series, themed to capture the attention of its target
audience (younger watersports participants) presenting
a different ‘flavour’ of messaging to other boating safety
educational campaigns. With the objective to build a
safety and etiquette awareness culture about acceptable
behavior when participating in watersports, it has been an
undoubted success with several hundred thousand views
on the dedicated RMBRAG Facebook page.
BIA delivered the support of industry, local councils and
SA Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Stephen
Mulligan, and featured the videos at the Australia New
Zealand Safe Boating Education Group (ANZSBEG) meeting
in May. This was met with a strong endorsement of the
campaign by the group. Since then RMBRAG and BIA have
been working with the Department of Planning, Transport
and Infrastructure and Riverland councils to encourage the
installation of signage developed to support the campaign
by featuring the Code of Conduct at designated boat ramps
and reserves.
Member Connect in Queensland saw a strong presence
from the BIA team to meet members and recruit new
members during the Gold Coast Marine Expo and Sanctuary
Cove International Boat Show. With a member lounge at
each show and roving team members out on the pontoons
and in the aisles, BIA members were given an opportunity
to catch up on issues with the association and discuss
membership renewals for 2016. As a first large-scale
exercise to meet industry members in Qld following the
merger of Marine Queensland with the BIA, success was
measured in terms of strong renewals and six new members
signing up during or shortly after the show weekend.
BOATING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION ABN 61 000 618 468 2016 ANNUAL REVIEW | 7
The 2016 Adelaide Boat Show incorporated positive
changes including a broader marketing campaign that
included magazines and the reintroduction of a boat show
program. 2016 laid the foundation for a number of ideas
for further development moving forward. The Show was
delivered under the guidance of Kym Jones Exhibitions
and Events.
One Murray, a strategy for management of a
multitude of issues concerning the River Murray in SA, was
born out of BIA’s engagement with the South Australian
EPA and other state agencies to tackle the problem of
non-compliant, live-aboard and abandoned boats on
the river. With no single agency taking control
of all aspects of regulatory management of
boats and boaters on the river, and with
a source of unwanted, lower-standard,
older houseboats being available from
the more regulated eastern states,
a complex set of issues covering the
environment, safety and personal welfare
has arisen.
BIA’s proposal to develop a strategy for dealing
with these issues across multiple agencies has
been promoted and readily endorsed by stakeholders, with
the Riverland Local Government Forum comprising state
agency heads, local councils and regional development
authorities, endorsing the proposal and expanding to be
a Whole-of-Murray approach and look also at economic
growth and strengthening local communities.
International industry issues and development opportunities were the focus of the International Council
of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) Annual Congress,
held this year in Italy. Formed in 1967, ICOMIA is the voice of
the recreational marine industry worldwide, with members
drawn from all major boating regions including Europe,
North & South Americas, Middle East, Asia, Australasia
and South Africa. The BIA is part of this global family of
marine industry associations and has played an important
role in ICOMIA for many years, including hosting the annual
Congress in 2002, providing the President in 2006-2008
in way of Graham Avers and most recently the
Vice-President in way of Simon Cook. BIA’s
membership of ICOMIA is a partnership
with the Marina Industries Association
(MIA) and the Australian International
Marine Export Group (AIMEX).
ICOMIA represents its members at an
international level and provides a forum
in which to consider issues of common
concern, formulating agreed policy to
tackle each as necessary. ICOMIA’s core aim
is to develop and sustain the global recreational marine
industry by: breaking down barriers to trade; seeking
removal of unnecessary or unviable legislation; promoting
awareness of the industry’s requirements and objectives;
A visit to Darwin at the end of May to attend the
biannual ANZSBEG meeting provided the opportunity
to visit past BIA NT members and meet new industry
participants.
Over the course of three days, 25 companies were
visited and introduced to the National BIA, explaining
how the state associations were coming together
to form a stronger association and deliver increased
support to members.
The response was excellent with all very enthusiastic
to learn how they could be part of the National BIA
and enjoy the same benefits as members across the
country.
BOATING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION ABN 61 000 618 468 2016 ANNUAL REVIEW | 8
JUNE
providing guidance on standards and regulations (and a
forum in which to shape such); promoting the concept of
recreational boating as being fun, a lifestyle and available
to all; providing members with data, advice and support on
all issues relevant to the sector, drawing on lessons learned
and sharing the knowledge of its global membership.
At the 50th Congress this year, the Australian industry was
represented by BIA and AIMEX, providing a strong presence
alongside the teams from North American, European and
Asian members. ICOMIA has a portfolio of committees
covering global technical standards and regulation for boat
design, manufacture and use; environmental impacts and
legislation; boating promotion programs; industry statistics
and data gathering; export market issues and changes to
worldwide customs reporting requirements; health and
safety related to chemical usage in the industry, among
many other topics. BIA’s role is to understand and quantify
the many detailed issues being dealt with around the world
that could impact members operating in such markets now
or could find their way into Australian legislation in
the future.
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BOATING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION ABN 61 000 618 468 2016 ANNUAL REVIEW | 10
The 2016 Sydney International Boat Show was the
last of the shows at the interim Sydney Exhibition Centre @
Glebe Island. Both exhibitor and visitor numbers were down,
achieving the smallest footprint and visitor numbers in more
than 20 years. On a positive note, the quality of visitors was
exceptional with those choosing to exhibit (in particular the
trailer boat sector), reporting excellent sales.
The Boating Industry Hall of Fame Award, presented at
the Sydney International Boat Show, was this year awarded to
Anthony (Tony) Griffin in recognition of his unstinting support
for the BIA and his industry colleagues that led to a number
of firsts in engaging with and working with Government
environment agencies, culminating in several awards and
publication of long-standing industry best practice guidelines
and accreditation programs.
In bestowing the award, BIA President Alan Blake said “Tony
has made a tremendous commitment devoting a huge number
of hours to assist and improve our industry. He has been an
inspiration for his dedication, leadership and outstanding service
to developing and advancing the Boating Industry. In a true
reflection of Tony’s character and continued passion for the
industry, he has asked that the Hall of Fame Award prize fund be
donated to Sailability and the Marine Industry Foundation”.
The SA Second-hand Dealers & Pawnbrokers Act
introduced the requirement for boat and caravan dealers to be
registered under amendments to the 1986 Act, citing concerns
about the level of organised criminal activity within the boating
and caravan industries. With little or no evidence to support this,
the BIA joined forces with the MTA SA and the caravan industry’s
CCIASA to prepare joint submissions calling for a permanent
registration exemption for boat and caravan dealers.
The SA Government subsequently asked SA Police (SAPOL) for
data which would then be used as a key factor in any decision
being made to grant an exemption, with SAPOL reporting back
to the Minister of Police claiming an extraordinary amount
of thefts in the boating and caravan sector. BIA undertook
research with insurers and related parties to collate data to
refute this claim and continues to work constructively and
methodically through the issues with the SA Government and
SAPOL to secure the best outcomes for members.
JULY
The 2016 Brisbane Boat Show was repackaged for the
year under the full management of the National Events
team. Taking feedback from industry, utilising knowledge
of the shows past success and a fresh approach to the
event, the show was determined a success both for visitors
and exhibitors. Show results point to a positive future with
growth of the show footprint immediately identified.
Marine engine emission regulations returned to the
table with a workshop in Melbourne drawing on expert
technical presentations from BIA’s overseas colleagues
at the US National Marine Manufacturers Association
to explain the issues likely to impact boat builders and
marine dealers under the draft regulations proposed by the
Department for the Environment. The workshop identified
industry concerns associated with the need to assess
or test fuel tanks for evaporative emissions compliance,
noting that the complexity of some tank designs (dictated
by constraints on internal space geometry) would be a
considerable challenge to model, as required by the testing
standards used in the USA.
BIA provided feedback to the Department representatives
at the workshop and followed this with a submission to
the Minister, noting that the impact on the industry from
introducing evaporative emission standards had very little
benefit in reducing total emissions, noting particularly that
no evidence had been assessed in this regard during the
Department’s drafting work. Announcements later in the
year validated this approach with evaporative emission
requirements removed from the latest draft regulations
and standards.
Boat registration data for Qld was published at the
Brisbane Boat Show following extensive reworking of the
raw data provided by Queensland Transport and Main Roads
(TMR). Early in 2016, while reviewing the latest datasets
from TMR, it became clear that there were a number of
inconsistencies in the data delivered to BIA,
with BIA then undertaking a review of the origins of the
data and a thorough analysis and cross-check of data
by BIA’s statistics consultant. It was identified that
errors in reporting by the original registrant on a hard
copy registration form were the likely source of most
inconsistencies, along with a more limited impact of
transcription and data management system errors.
As part of the analysis work, BIA developed a new dataset
capable of reporting against multiple criteria across the
state-wide fleet. Detailed analysis of, for instance, how
many 5.5m, centre console boats with a 40hp outboard are
registered in a particular postcode is now possible and is
available to BIA members as a business planning service.
The overview of this report provided headline figures
showing a fleet of 255,000 recreational boats registered in
Queensland, equating to one per 19 people. The data also
shows that 90% of the fleet is under 7.5m in length and that
open boats (with no cuddy or console) make up more than
60% of the fleet by boat type.
AUGUST
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Marine Card moved to an online course for new inductions
following a successful launch of online renewals earlier in the year.
The induction content remains specific and relevant to the boating
industry and the risks and hazards which we see in our workplaces.
The course has been streamlined, and now takes less than 2 hours to
complete - in one sitting, or multiple short sittings as suits the user.
Additionally, recognising that boating industry workers may be
required to hold the Construction Industry White Card at some
workplaces or when undertaking construction work, the program
was enhanced to provide for White Card induction to be delivered at
the same time as the Marine Card induction.
SEPTEMBER
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The BIA Marine Contractors Insurance Package
was launched alongside the revised Marine Card program,
providing BIA members with a suite of fit-for-purpose and
cost-effective insurance cover including: Ship Repairers &
General Liability, Vessel and Vehicles, Tools, Travel, Workers
Comp, and Income Protection for sole traders. Delivered
by BIA Marine Insurance Partner Steadfast-IRS (formerly
IC Frith), policy holders under the BIA Marine Contractors
Insurance Package receive from Steadfast-IRS a $150
voucher annually, to be redeemed against the cost of BIA
Membership, or Marine Card training.
Gold Coast and Brisbane member forum evenings
were scheduled to tie-in with the BIA National Board
meeting in Brisbane for the first time. The BIA team
provided members with updates on activities and
objectives for the BIA over the next 12 months, with more
than 40 members joining the conversation. The forums
followed the success of the member engagement at the
Brisbane Boat Show in August, covering a wide range of
issues and projects including the roll out of the Marine
Card Access Management System, a detailed review of
the BIA advocacy platform, including waterways access
and infrastructure development, reducing the regulatory
burden and industry professional development, plus a
relaunch of boat registration data reporting in Queensland.
Discover Boating Week in 2016 was an interim year
with new consumer activations in development not ready
for the marketplace. As such the 9-days were utilised to
drive a consumer boating lifestyle awareness campaign,
encouraging people to consider boating as part of their
recreational activities, and how to do so. Other kindred
organisations saw the exposure opportunity and used the
week to run their own activities. These included; Discover
Sailing Day, Gone Fishing Day and Boating Safety Day.
The Adelaide On-Water Boat Show operated as part
of Discover Boating Week. This event complements other
local activities and gives the public an alternative avenue for
understanding the boating lifestyle. The events location on
the Adelaide Marina also means that the large boat market
has an opportunity to showcase its offerings.
North Queensland members met with BIA representatives during a series of visits to members
in North Qld in and around Mackay and Airlie Beach.
Recognising that members in the region had not had direct
contact with BIA or the previous association for some
time, a preliminary visit to evaluate the scope of the marine
industry in the area paved the way for a more extensive visit
which included well-attended member briefings at Mackay
Marina and Abell Point Marina, providing members with the
opportunity to learn more about the role of the BIA and to
explain where support for industry could be focused in the
region. With a number of non-members also attending, 18
membership enquiries were logged across the two events
and are now being followed up by the Member Services team:
a great outcome of the visit and a great boost to developing
membership in the region.
Discussions with tourism and economic development
agencies and other marine industry players in the region
highlighted issues and topics of importance, including
interest in boat shows in the area. In both Mackay and Airlie
Beach, local agencies provided detailed briefings and tours of
local waterways to showcase current facilities and highlight
opportunities for future infrastructure improvements.
AMSA Cost recovery proposals including a levy on
domestic commercial vessels were launched with little
consultation, leading to a considerable back lash from the
sector. With AMSA estimating costs of assuming full control
of the administration of domestic commercial vessels
at $25M per year, the impact on operators was shown to
be significant in BIA’s survey of members in the tourism,
transport and work boat sectors, with some operators
predicting in excess of a 100% increase in regulatory costs.
BIA’s submission made to AMSA noted that a significant
proportion of the wider marine industry would be in some
way impacted by commercial vessel regulation, whether as
boat builders, surveyors, commercial vessel operators such
as hire and drive and charter yachts, training and education
or suppliers of equipment and other services.
The BIA submission rejected either option of cost recovery
levy, instead making a recommendation that AMSA seek
urgently to discuss alternate arrangements in direct
consultation with BIA. Subsequent communications from
AMSA acknowledged that the proposals for a levy were
poorly received by industry across the board, with over
600 formal submissions entered and more than 4000
direct communications on the topic recorded, with the
overwhelming majority all being substantially negative. AMSA
formally withdrew the proposal for levy shortly afterward.
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OCTOBER
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Two new members of staff joined the team in NSW, bolstering
support for members with the appointment of Shane Wilson as
the NSW Membership Officer. Delivering increased support for
schools boating education programs with the appointment of
Sonia Robinson to run the Boating Safety Education Centre at the
Watsons Bay Pilot Station.
The Australian Builders Plate was introduced in stages across
the country during 2006 as a mandatory requirement for all new
boats sold in Australia, setting out to improve safety of boats and
for boaters by defining minimum standards for powered vessels
covering buoyancy, maximum load and powering. 10 years on, the
success of the ABP is unquestioned in having improved boat design
standards and alongside recent campaigns to improve lifejacket
wear rates, the ABP has been an important element of making
boating even safer.
The BIA initiated a program to remind and update industry of
some of the finer detail of the ABP which may have been forgotten
or misunderstood by designers, builders, importers and dealers.
Reports from leading manufacturers, brokers and some boating
safety agencies suggest that there are a number of boats that
are not compliant with the ABP with a contributing factor being
the known lack of enforcement by relevant agencies, which has
undoubtedly led to a level of complacency. Discussions continue
with state marine safety and registration agencies about an
industry-led solution to this current state of play.
River Murray increased flows show-cased a healthy river,
providing fantastic opportunities for water-based activities in the
upcoming summer peak boating season. The winter rains across the
Murray-Darling catchments delivered increased water to the river,
with some of the best flows for a number of years reinvigorating a
healthy river. Reporting on increased flows in some media outlets,
particularly in SA, led to concern among tourism operators, including
houseboat hirers, that the river is expecting a dangerous flood
event. The BIA and the Houseboat Hirers Association (a national
division of BIA) partnered with SA agencies, including the SA
Department of Environment, to correct this with factual information
and expert advice, ensuring a continued confidence among the
many BIA members with businesses along the River Murray in SA.
NOVEMBERNOVEMBER
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The Marine Card was accepted as an alternate qualification for low-risk commercial vessel operations following
extensive consultation with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. This set out to address a gap in the portfolio of
suitable qualifications for skippers of smaller boats working in sheltered water areas, such as marina tenders and similar
low-risk operations. A conflict between regulated and historically-enforced state regulations and the new national
regulations overriding such in way of new operations since July 2013, highlighted that existing qualifications (Coxswain
and Master certificates) did not necessarily envisage such operations being covered. The alternate options made
available in the exemption drafted to accommodate low-risk operations, known as Exemption 38, similarly was too
onerous for many operations and required extensive off-the-job training for each crew member.
BIA’s proposal to AMSA to make use of the BIA Marine Card as a means of assessing and verifying competency to operate
a low-risk commercial vessel, based on the operator having a general boating licence and the business operating under an
agreed formal safety management plan, was accepted by AMSA with an amendment to Exemption 38 notified to industry
and training organisations. The cooperative relationship developed as part of the negotiation will be of benefit in further
streamlining regulatory requirements for many BIA members operating in the commercial vessel sector.
The new BIA membership CRM database, myBIA, entered final testing following several months of development
work by the BIA team and contractors. The investment in an online, interactive member database and communication
platform will greatly enhance BIA members’ engagement with the teams in Sydney, Adelaide and Coomera when
launched early in the new year. The web-based CRM system was implemented by a leading association focused
membership system provider and will provide members with direct access to their membership record, provision for
online orders and payments, secure member-only communications, plus an easier membership renewal process.
E-News remained an important medium to deliver industry information to members on a fortnightly basis.
Logbook delivered our Association report card of activities and industry information.
A consumer campaign to encourage dealing with a BIA member as a priority continued throughout the year.
The benefits of the boating lifestyle were promoted through Channel 7’s Sydney Weekender, with this subsequently opening discussions for similar exposure through another related medium in Queensland.
The BIA team featured weekly on Radio espousing recreational boating and good safe boating practices.
MyBoatingLife.com.au continued as the portal assisting new and old boaties to get onto, or improve their time on the water.
The BIA’s portfolio of web and social media pages were kept current and active.
Late 2016 saw the start of member forums and laid the foundation for an expanded program in 2017. The connection with members remains a priority and the forums allow the BIA team and members to interact and better understand localised issues. In return, the BIA team are able to deliver a report on activities of the past, present and plans for the future.
Research on the impact of the boat show program was commissioned, and released to members at the end of the year, detailing the trends, types of visitors, and key information to inform planning for 2017.TH
ROUG
H TH
E YEA
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BOATING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION ABN 61 000 618 468 2016 ANNUAL REVIEW | 15
DECEMBER
BIA stalwart and long term General Manager of the
Boating Industry Association Roy Privett commenced
his transition to retirement.
Having served the BIA and its members for just short of 28 years, Roy worked through
until February 2017. Roy decided to remain with the BIA after he was able to retire late
in 2015, in order to support the BIAs transition to a national body.
With his brood of grandchildren growing and an endless number of places he and his
wife Dale want to visit, Roy’s retirement will surely come with less free time than he
expects.
Roy joined the BIA in February 1989 and was immediately charged with shaping the
first boat show to move into Darling Harbour. Subsequently he has been instrumental
in many projects driven through advocacy or detailed in house planning and work, that
have ensured the industry’s ongoing prosperity and support.
Whilst Roy’s departure is a loss, his work and contribution over the decades have left a
positive legacy for the Association body and its members that will be lasting for years
to come.
The Directors, Councillors, Staff and Members of the BIA wish Roy an enjoyable
retirement.
BOATING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION ABN 61 000 618 468 2016 ANNUAL REVIEW | 16
ROY PRIVETT
BOATING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION ABN 61 000 618 468 2016 ANNUAL REVIEW | 17
2016 2015
$ $
Revenue 6,213,453 5,271,981
Other income 449,441 493,621
Total income 6,662,864 5,765,602
Cost of sales, operations, shows and promotions (4,580,371) (4,235,724)
Depreciation expense (72,493) (77,400)
Employee benefits expense (1,478,904) (748,711)
Advertising – consumer marketing (97,611) (73,597)
Insurance (54,892) (55,040)
Subscription fees (19,503) (82,233)
Education and training - staff (9,123) (8,359)
Other expenses (824,913) (902,383)
Total Expenses (7,137,810) (6,183,447)
Finance income
Interest received 51,135 73,665
(Deficit)/Surplus before income tax (423,811) (344,180)
Income tax expense - -
(Deficit)/Surplus for the year (423,811) (344,180)
Other Comprehensive Income for the year
Net fair value gain / (loss) on available-for-sale financial assets 24,980 24,734
Total Comprehensive Income for the year (398,831) (319,446)
STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016*
* Further detail is in the full audited financial statements, available in the “Members’ Section” of the BIA website
www.bia.org.au
Licence Fees $43,787 Education & Training $74,710 Rental & Office Services $71,407 Interest & Fund Distributions $152,931 Other Income $163,310 Membership Subscriptions $466,572 Shows & Events $5,741,282
BOATING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION LTD FINANCIAL OVERVIEW – 2016
INCOME
EXPENDITURE
Education & Training $41,179 Advertising & Promotion $97,611 Depreciation $72,493 Subscriptions $19,503 Consultants / Projects $205,429 South Australia $160,659 Staff Costs $1,478,904 Other Expenditure $661,442 Shows & Events $4,400,589
1%1%
1%2%
1%0%
86%shows & events
62%9%
2%7%
21%
2% 3%
shows & eventsother expenditure
staff costs
BOATING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION ABN 61 000 618 468 2016 ANNUAL REVIEW | 18
Total Income $6,713,999
Total Expenditure $7,137,809
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2016
2016 2015 $ $ ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 1,879,586 2,749,834Trade and other receivables 234,960 124,996Other assets 63,133 63,466 Total current assets 2,177,679 2,938,296 Non-current assets Other financial assets 1,702,548 1,677,568Property, plant and equipment 1,863,963 1,765,458 Total non-current assets 3,566,511 3,443,026 Total Assets 5,744,190 6,381,322 LIABILITIES Current liabilities Trade and other payables 212,193 388,869Deferred income 48,469 94,828Employee entitlements provision 154,651 98,713 Total current liabilities 415,313 582,410 Non-current liabilities Employee entitlements provision 89,454 160,658
Total non-current liabilities 89,454 160,658
Total Liabilities 504,767 743,068
Net assets 5,239,423 5,638,254 Members Funds Reserves 431,830 406,850
Accumulated Surplus 4,807,593 5,231,404
Total Members Funds 5,239,423 5,638,254
BOATING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION ABN 61 000 618 468 2016 ANNUAL REVIEW | 19
NATIONAL OFFICE
PO Box 1204 Crows Nest NSW 1585 • T. (02) 9438 2077 • [email protected] in: Brisbane • Gold Coast • Adelaide
ABN 61 000 618 468