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MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
Marine House
300 Morphett Street
Adelaide SA 5000
PO Box 10083
Adelaide BC SA 5000
T: +61 8 8212 6207
E: [email protected]
W: www.biaa.com.au
ABN: 96 149 274 724
Boating Industry Alliance sets an ambitious
course
At the Melbourne Boat Show the Chairman of the Boating Industries Alliance
Australia, Darren Vaux, on Friday outlined the role of the Alliance as the national
voice of the boating industry in Australia. By leading the network of state-based
Boating Industry Associations, including Marine Queensland, on national issues
the Alliance provides a focus for communications with all stakeholders ensuring a
common and consistent message on a wide range of issues.
Mr Vaux reported that recent discussions with government agencies had
confirmed the leading position of the Alliance in representing the boating
industry, with Vaux being invited by Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry, Dr Mike Kelly, to join the Australian Government
Recreational Fishing Roundtable and the Alliance asked to respond to the
Productivity Commission Public Inquiry on the performance of the Australian
retail industry.
Mr Vaux commented that both these issues were key to the success of the
boating industry: “by working to ensure provision of government support for
access to waterways and places to fish – recognised as one of the principal
drivers for going boating in Australia – and by highlighting the inequity of
imported boats reaching the local market with little or no check on regulatory
compliance, we are taking firm steps to strengthen the market place for the
boating industry” said Vaux.
The Alliance also has a key role in communicating with boaters, having recently
announced programs to grow participation in recreational boating. “The Alliance
has a strategy for mobilisation of multiple programs over the next 12 months
which will see a significant upswing in the number of new entrants to boating.
We’re working with schools and colleges across the country to provide
opportunities for children and young adults to get afloat, learn about the benefits
of the boating lifestyle – whether this be a healthy active sport such as dinghy
sailing or building self-confidence and learning new skills” said Vaux.
But it doesn’t stop there: once the sailing bug is in them, the Alliance will
continue to engage boaters of all ages with the roll-out of a new national boat
club, providing benefits to boaters and industry alike. Vaux said “We want to
double the number of active boaters in this country – we know there are
something like 1 million recreational boating licence holders in Australia and by
offering them something more, we can keep them enthused and encourage them
to get their friends and families involved. Everyone feels better on a boat and
we believe our mix of programs to engage youngsters and older boaters alike will
sustain the industry in to the future.”
Supporting Mr Vaux was Clyde Batty, General Manager of Boating Industry
Association of Victoria: “The BIAA is creating a strong national voice for the
industry and by bringing together the BIA teams from across the country, we are
able to coordinate our efforts in talking to our customers. The Melbourne Boat
Show provides a perfect opportunity for the Alliance to get across its messages
to the boater, and industry, and I’m pleased that one of the key areas we’re
tackling here is the grey import problem”.
The Boating Industries Alliance Australia is the national peak body for the
boating industry in Australia and represents all the state Boating Industry
Associations and Marine Queensland on national issues.
Contacts:
Darren Vaux – Chairman BIAA 02 9457 9011
Nik Parker – General Manager BIAA 08 8212 6207
Clyde Batty – General Manager BIA Victoria 03 8696 5600
www.biaa.com.au
Pictured L to R: Darren Vaux, Chairman BIAA; Nik Parker, General Manager BIAA; Clyde Batty,
General Manager BIA Victoria; David Heyes, President BIA Victoria