Australia sees increased demand for boat storage

Australia sees increased demand for boat storage

Survey reveals berthing facilities across the country were at 83 per cent occupancy during 2010/11

Marinas Industries Association of Australia (MIAA) has released a survey that reveals demand for boat storage space at many Australian marinas exceeds current capacity. The report entitled “Australian Marinas:  Economic, Social and Environmental Performance” surveyed 31 per cent of Australia's total number of marinas.

The report concludes that the average boat occupancy across all marinas in Australia was 83 per cent during the 2010/11 period, with nearly half of Australia’s marinas providing boat storage on both land and water.

A quarter of marinas reported over 95 per cent occupancy rates, whilst 52 per cent of marinas reported waiting lists for boat storage spaces during part or all of the summer 2010-11. It was also revealed that over a 39 per cent had waiting lists during non-peak seasons.

The Survey reveals that type, size, and location of a marina are all important variables affecting the supply/demand equation for boat storage spaces. For example, club marinas had a higher average occupancy of 94 per cent compared to non- club marinas at 80 per cent. New South Wales had the highest average occupancy for all marina types at 90 per cent, while the lowest was for marinas in South Australia and Northern Territory at 63 per cent. Marinas with over 250 berths had the highest occupancy at 87 per cent while small and mid-size marinas both had 81 per cent occupancy over the period studied.

Commenting on the findings, MIAA president Andrew Chapman, says the report highlights the national picture as both positive and negative for industry and for the three million people regularly involved in recreational boating.

“The good news is that the majority of marinas are seeing healthy demand that provides a strong platform for business growth. On the negative side is the looming supply shortage; the result of interrelated regulatory,  lease, planning and investment barriers that have stifled the creation of new marinas and the expansion of existing marinas over the last decade.  With the forecast long-term growth in boating registrations many regions will not be able to cope with the boat storage demand.

“The problem is being exacerbated in urban regions where urban consolidation means less people have the option of home boat storage. For Australia to maintain its boating, sailing and fishing outdoor lifestyle it is essential that governments better understand the economic and social significance of recreational boating and proactively work with industry to address the looming supply shortage.”

A 3-page summary report is available online at the MIAA website www.marinas.net.au


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