Queensland (QLD) marinas are being held back from making a much more significant contribution to the State economy according to Colin Bransgrove, Executive Officer of the Marina Industries Association (MIA). “While QLD marinas have been optimistic about revenue growth the reality is they have not been investing in their businesses”. His comments are founded on independent research commissioned by the MIA and supported by leaders in the industry. The research was conducted by the Recreational Marine Research Centre, Michigan State University using industry data from the 2012/2013 financial year. The data was collected from 163 of Australia’s 347 marinas. Nationally 40% of marinas expected growth in gross revenues in the 2013/14 period with marinas in QLD (55%) and NSW (44%) the most optimistic. According to Marine Queensland General Manager Don Jones the projected optimism from QLD marinas has been tempered by on-going uncertainty around the matter of marina leases and lease payments. “This uncertainty is having a significant and negative impact on the marina sector in the State” he said. The data from the research relating to capital investment highlights that QLD has been suffering from the uncertainty around these issues for some time. During the survey period the ratio of capital expenditure to gross revenue was 16% for QLD marinas while the national average was 62%. Furthermore only 9% of QLD marinas surveyed invested in new revenue producing facilities or services against at national average of 33% and only 9% of QLD marinas invested in new boat storage capacity against the national average of 27%. The average amount spent on new or improved environmental facilities or technologies at QLD marinas was $9,000. This was half the national average despite QLD marinas being the biggest in the country as measured by turnover and boat storage capacity. MIA QLD Director Mike Harvey from Runaway Bay Marina
Posted on: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 23:42:16 +0000
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