Pittwater Life July 2024 Issue

News
Boat licence fees hike anger
The State Government is
set to hit the NSW boating
public and industry with
the highest taxes in the nation
from 1 July, according to the
Boating Industry Association
(BIA).
BIA says Transport for NSW
had seemingly constructed
the plan behind closed doors
to significantly raise taxes on
boating well beyond the CPI to
raise millions of dollars in new
revenue.
BIA spokesperson Neil
Patchett said: “Just a couple of
years ago boating proved itself
during a global pandemic as
a standout option in recreation
for people to experience
the great outdoors and the
social benefits of getting out
on the water with families and
friends.
“Now, despite reaping the
revenue rewards of increased
participation through extra
licences and registrations over
the past few years, Transport
wants to make what are already
the highest boating fees in the
ALARM: Mooring
fees are among the
boating price hikes.
nation, even higher.”
BIA said the massive disparity
in boating licence fees in
NSW compared to the neighbouring
States of Queensland
and Victoria was alarming.
For example, a 10-year
licence fee for a personal watercraft
in NSW already eclipses
$1000 – and the new proposal
aims to increase that to almost
$2000.
This compares to $124 for a
lifetime licence for a personal
watercraft in Queensland, and
$45 for an annual licence in
Victoria. In addition, Queensland
and Victoria had chosen
to hold fees as they were and to
not apply CPI.
Meanwhile a licence in
Queensland is $124 for either
a boat or a PWC, and that is a
one-off fee for life. In NSW a
licence will range from $77 to
$245 a year.
Transport for NSW says it
needs the extra revenue in
part to pay for more patrol
effectiveness; however, the BIA
says figures show Queensland
has more than one million
marine licences compared with
540,000 in NSW, and Queensland
managed that with almost
half the number of patrol craft
and fewer maritime compliance
personnel than NSW.
“Boating is a way of life for
many in NSW and the Government
is set to make it even
more expensive, which runs
the risk of disenfranchising
young people and families
from participation in what is a
healthy outdoor activity with
proven social benefits,” Mr
Patchett said.
“We remain hopeful the
Transport Minister will intervene
and force Transport for
NSW to reset the full schedule
of fees impacting licences, registrations
and moorings to be
no more than CPI adjusted.”
BIA represents hundreds
of marine businesses and
thousands of workers in NSW
supporting the more than two
million people who go boating
each year in the State.
BIA said it was waiting for a
response from the State Government
on its concerns which
included a lack of appropriate
consultation. – NW
*View and sign the BIA’s
petition calling for the full
reset of fees at change.org
18 JULY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991