BIA Victoria - BIA and Government
BIA and Government
The role of the Boating Industry Association of Victoria is to represent the interests of the recreational boating industry at a State level as well as nationally.
BIA prides itself on its active lobbying to all levels of parliament.
Above: BIA Victoria's Past PresidentRod Smith, Hon. John Thwaites and BIA Victoria's Past CEO Lindsay Grenfell at the 2005 opening of Marine House
Five issues BIA believes are of great importance for the recreational boating industry include:
Launching ramp in the river system
This is a number one priority. BIA suggests there should be a launching ramp under the Westgate Bridge – it is vital that people should be able to launch their boats into the Melbourne river system and not have to come through the open waters of the bay to get to the rivers – non-boating people assume there must be ramps in the river, but boating people know otherwise. It would be easy enough to build, as the land is there, the water conditions are right and the cost would be manageable in the context of the registration and licence fees collected from boaters.
Right: BIA Victoria's Past CEO Lindsay Grenfell and Past President Rod Smith discuss the importance of water access to Lord Mayor John So at the Melbourne Boat Show
Frankston Safe Harbour
This is now in the "market sounding" stage where the council is sounding out those people who might eventually submit formal proposals – it is far too important an issue, and has been going on far too long, for it not to succeed now. We are encouraging our members to take an active interest, especially those who might be potential developers.
Government “one stop shop” for marine facilities
The present situation means there are different government authorities controlling the land, the water, the section between high and low water marks and various other aspects, making marine facility developments often virtually impossible. The one-stop shop could perhaps be Parks Victoria, which has shown some excellent initiative in regards to marinas and other waterfront development and management issues, recently on the central coastal board.
Common sense plan for Webb Dock rail link
The Port of Melbourne Corporation is looking at a rail link running alongside the Bolte Bridge at a height of about eight metres, with a drawbridge – what a disaster! What about all the boats in Docklands? BIA recommends a tunnel with the rail line running under the water, similar to what Martha Cove has constructed with the road under the water to allow boats of all sizes access to the marina.
Marine precinct at the top end of the Bay
BIA recommends for a marine precinct at the top end of the bay to service the new boats that are going to be in Docklands, including a slipway for recreational and commercial use. We needmarine cluster similar to Coomera in Queensland, where they’ve done it very well. In just five years they’re making and servicing super yachts, and we are losing by not creating that activity down here.
Above: BIA Victoria's Past CEO Lindsay Grenfell and the Honourable Andre Haermeyer
These are just a few issues the BIA are currently focusing on. Up to date policy announcement are posted on the news section of this site.