2016 annual review - bia

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

BOATING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION ABN 61 000 618 468 2016 ANNUAL REVIEW | 3

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


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


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


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.


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.


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.



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


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

BOATING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION ABN 61 000 618 468 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | 12 BOATING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION ABN 61 000 618 468 2016 ANNUAL REVIEW | 12

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.


OCTOBER

BOATING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION ABN 61 000 618 468 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | 14

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


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

R


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.


ROY PRIVETT


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


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


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

2016 annual review - bia

Documents