THE MEDIA VOICE OF THE GLOBAL MARINA INDUSTRY

Queensland marinas driving employment

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.

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

READ MORE

SPAIN: Palma yard adds berths to boost refit projects

USA: MGBW designated Foreign Trade Zone

AUSTRALIA: Superyacht marina celebrates marker anniversary

NETHERLANDS: Metstrade 2024 sets ground for bumper 2025 event

UK: MDL continues unprecedented investment

Smart member comms at Hong Kong yacht club

Managing berths at expanded sites

Installing safe mooring systems

Protecting pontoon boats

Surviving Hurricane Beryl

Smart systems streamline Croatian marinas

Cimolai Technology: catering for all boat sizes

New crane design unveiled in Amsterdam

Marine Travelift E Series is ready to roll

Innovation and sustainability

Kropf delivers first all electric boat hoist

BUYING and SELLING MARINAS

Marinetek marks 30 years

Monaco Rendezvous: Smart and Sustainable Marinas 2024

Project Valencia: integrating the port with the city

Bringing new life to Banagher Marina

Is the essence of Port Grimaud under threat

Factoring in the need for electric power

Substantial progress for luxury wellness destination

Building on water The floating possibilities

Dates and times for Marinas26

Conference honours marinas and yards

Queensland marinas driving employment

Walcon to build SIBS marina for 15 years

Gold Anchor winners take centre stage

Newly merged pontoon companies eye global expansion

Iowa marina ramps up improvement plans

New management at Karpaz Gate

Code of Practice revision for now and the future

Waiheke wins green 'credits'

Dock replacement progress at Salty Sams

D Marin to manage new Med style marina

BMDC confirms construction milestone

Las Olas opens as a 'gateway to the city'

Ground breaks on first international standard marina

Pre-register for IWMC 2025

Western Marinas buys Marine and Property assets

ICOMIA and EBI launch charter standard

UK: New marina for Isle of Wight

MALDIVES: MoU signed for Uligan marina

TURKS and CAICOS: Property sells fast at luxury Cove development

SAUDI ARABIA: IGY to manage Sindalah Yacht Club

PORTUGAL: Expansion push at Lindley Marinas

USA: Suntex buys Hidden Cove Marina

Charlotte Harbor upgrades with new Travelift