The Whitsunday Charter Boat Industry Association (WCBIA) is a not-for-profit membership-based organisation that, through advocacy and education, represents the interests and values of its Members to all levels of Government and Industry.
Whilst there has been a progressive return of passenger numbers from overseas since COVID, domestic arrivals have decreased, lured overseas by cheaper tour and accommodation rates in neighbouring countries. Exacerbating this situation has been the ever increasing costs of doing business in Australia and the burden placed upon our Industry by the Government. WCBIA works consistently to push back on proposed Government legislation changes that have potential to increase costs or complexities for Marine Tourism Operators. Following are examples of recent actions and initiatives implemented by the WCBIA to affect these objectives.
GBRMPA Plan of Management Reviews
GBRMPA in association with Traditional Owners is developing a new Plan of Management for the Southern Great Barrier Reef. It has been proposed that outcomes from this process will be rolled out in other regions of the Marine Park. WCBIA has made a submission making clear the position of our Industry that any changes to commercial Permissions including access to specific areas both land and sea, and the cost of that access, may directly impact the viability of Marine Park Tourism Operators business models, employment in the Region and the regional economy. WCBIA also made clear the expectation that any review of the Whitsunday POM must be carried out as a completely separate exercise, in consultation with the WCBIA. We further submitted that Grandfathering arrangements and agreed transition periods for existing active Permittees would be fundamental to any process of change to POMs in all regions of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
P&I Insurance Costs
No-win no-fee legal representation has been identified as the primary cause of the growing claims’ epidemic. WCBIA is leading the charge, demanding legislative change to cap claims amounts in line with the New Zealand Adventure Tourism insurance model. Work in this area has the potential to significantly reduce Members’ premiums. WCBIA will continue to work with politicians and all affected peak industry bodies. We recently solicited written advice from the Insurance Council of Australia confirming that if the Government considers statutory caps, then the ICA would be keen to engage. WCBIA has recently received confirmation that a seat on the QTIC Insurance Action Plan Committee will be confirmed in June when 2025/26 QTIC Committee arrangements are finalised.
Severe Weather Reinsurance Pool
WCBIA continues to push for inclusion of Marine Tourism Businesses in the Federal Government Cyclone Reinsurance Pool. If successful this has the potential to reduce hull and rig premiums. WCBIA has solicited written advice from the Insurance Council of Australia confirming that the Council would be willing to engage with the Government on extension of the Cyclone Reinsurance Pool to include Marine Business.
AMSA M45 & MED 1 Processing Delays
WCBIA has corresponded and met with AMSA’s Senior Advisor for Seafarer Certification during which AMSA has recognised that significant delays are being experienced and provided a detailed explanation of actions being taken to rectify the situation. A detailed list of these actions can be provided to Members on request and Operators are encouraged to advise WCBIA if further unreasonable delays are experienced by M45 applicants.
Exemption Attained for Lifejackets in Tenders
This WCBIA Special Exemption proposal was accepted by AMSA saving Operators the inconvenience and additional expense of purchasing and maintaining lifejackets for carriage in tenders. A copy of the exemption confirmation has been distributed to Members and further copies can be provided upon request.
Independent Review Report on DCV Safety Standards
Review recommendations may affect Member Operators if adopted by AMSA, the rollback of Grandfathering being the most significant issue. In short, the Review recommends the establishment of “Baseline Standards” and “Gateway Surveys” for all grandfathered vessels. Suggested areas of focus being stability, fire and electrical safety, in line with current “Surveyed” vessel requirements. Copies of the review findings can be found at https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-vehicles/maritime/independent-review-domestic-commercial-vessel-safety-legislation-and-costs-and-charging-arrangements WCBIA is monitoring the progress of these recommendations and future consultation opportunities.
AMSA Cost & Charging Review
The Cost and Charging Review component of the Independent Review (above) has been referred to the Australian Transport Safety Investigation Bodies Financial Sustainability Review (ATSIBF) Committee. WCBIA developed and contributed a submission to the ATSIBF Review. A copy of the WCBIA Submission can be provided to Members upon request.
GBRMPA EMC Collection & Education
Following further correspondence with GBRMPA we are still no closer to an update of outcomes from the EMC Review carried out in 2022/23, that defined the need for EMC payments from “all Park users”. WCBIA has encouraged the introduction of a more equitable system of cost recovery and asked GBRMPA to consider a system whereby the Authority promotes, collects and administers EMC collections. We suggested that this could be facilitated online via a QR code with links included in overnight and day tour booking confirmations and at check-in. The onus should rest upon the client to ensure that their “Marine Park Entry Fees” have been paid and a look up system be available to check in staff to facilitate confirmation of EMC payments. The wheels of this bureaucracy are turning very slowly. Responses to date all refer to the ongoing review process. WCBIA is seeking the release of the Charging Review Report, which recommends that all Park Users are levied EMC. WCBIA submissions have been made directly to GBRMPA, via the Tourism Reef Advisory Council (TRAC) and in partnership with the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators (AMPTO).
GBRMP Special Management Areas
WCBIA has been pushing GBRMPA to explore pathways that could lead to a separation of in-water recreational activities, from recreational fishing. Current Zoning arrangements see the potential and indeed the occurrence of these conflicting use activities in Yellow and Blue Zones. The WCBIA understands that amendments to Zoning require significant consultation and changes to legislation. We also understand that the Authority has other more expedient tools that may be used to address conflicts of use in specific areas. Our understanding is that one of these is the declaration of Special Management Areas in specific locations. Following consultation with our Members, the following sites have been identified as warranting GBRMPA “Special Management Area” consideration: Chalkies Beach; Black Island SE corner; Northwest Hook Passage; Cockatoo Point; The Keyhole in the south end of Stonehaven and Saba or Mackerel Bay. WCBIA will continue pushing for GBRMPA to use its Special Management tool as requested by WCBIA.
Deepening Tongue Bay Access Channel
WCBIA has made a submission to QPWS requesting the deepening of the Tongue Bay landing beach channel to allow all tides access. Currently the channel is only deep enough to allow passengers to be ferried ashore in small tenders when the tide measures a minimum of 0.8 of a meter above datum. The average day tour vessel requires 1.5 meters. As a result, access hours are limited by tides, resulting in intense usage during accessible periods and governing the operation of tours throughout the Whitsundays. Crowding on walking tracks and lookouts could be significantly decreased if operators could visit over a wider range of tides. On many days of the year, day tour and overnight vessel skippers have no choice but to move in convoy. Overnight tour vessels are herded into anchorages to facilitate timing for arrival and departure from Tongue Bay inline with tidal access restrictions. The result is a less than perfect experience for visitors, left with the impression that Whitsundays is a crowded holiday destination. Deepening the existing Tongue Bay tender channel will free up operators to spread out their visiting times, avoid congestion and lessen impact on QPWS infrastructure. Constructing a permanent fixed jetty would bring this iconic destination experience up to world class expectations.
AMSA Regional Safety Committee
WCBIA has a seat on the RSA and at the April 25 Meeting asserted that caps should be placed on hydrogen fuel exports to provide for DCV consumption. The challenges of ever expanding crew SMS induction requirements was also placed on the table, pointing out that AMSA regulations were primarily designed for shipping and overly burdensome on small vessel operators. RSC meetings are structured and require early action to get topics on the Agenda. WCBIA Members are encouraged to submit issues and suggestions for the RSA Agenda.
Decarbonisation Pathway
WCBIA has been investigating alternative engines and fuel sources for the past three years. The lack of available battery technology is a significant hurdle. Although inboard electric motors are now available with sufficient horsepower for many marine tourism applications, the size and weight of batteries is a significant limiting factor. WCBIA has encouraged AMPTO to apply for a $1m grant to carry out a survey of available technologies and define a pathway to decarbonisation. WCBIA will monitor and report on AMPTO’s progress in this area. We have also opened a dialogue with ARK Energy, who are currently on track to commence Hydrogen production at Abbott Point within this decade.
Fuel Rebate Scheme
The spectre of extinguishing or reducing the off road fuel rebate reappeared as a political football once again this year and WCBIA joined forces with AMPTO to successfully push back vigorously against this.
Marine Industry Employment Round Table
This group is an evolution of the Maritime Networking Group that WCBIA has participated in since 2021. Successes to date include the establishment of Maritime Skills Training and Traineeship Subsidies that many Members have benefited from in recent years. The aim of this new group is to create a consolidated lobby representing all sectors of the Marine Industries including Tourism, Manufacturing, Shipping and Defense Force. It is being established under the leadership of https://www.commercialmarine.com.au/ , https://www.aimex.asn.au/ & https://www.superyacht-australia.com/
Whitsunday Chamber of Commerce & Industry Advisory Group
WCBIA has a seat on this Advisory Group to ensure that WCBIA Member interests are represented. Developing Higher Education Facilities and Services was sighted as a way to encourage retention of young locals in the local economy. WCBIA suggested that the first step toward Universities committing to the Region required a focus on Sustainable Coastal Development and Reef Research programs. To date Cairns and Townsville have been the major beneficiaries of funding, with AIMS, Reef HQ and university annexes well established. AB suggested that the establishment of a Cooperative Research Centre, possibly attached to a Reef Discovery Centre would be a step towards this goal. The WCC&I Steering Committee endorsed this strategy.
Climate Change
Climate change continues to wreak havoc with weather conditions, and the Great Barrier Reef remains under threat. The WCBIA represents the interests of its Members on the following committees and working groups to ensure that our Industry voice is heard and Member interests are represented:
- Association of Marine Park Operators(AMPTO)
- Tourism Reef Advisory Council; GBRMPA (TRAC)
- Local Marine Advisory Council (LMAC)
- AMSA Regional Safety Committee
- Whitsunday Chamber of Commerce & Industry Advisory Committee
- Whitsunday Marine Risk Management Group (insurance)
- Marine Tourism Workforce, Skills and Training Committee
- Port of Hay Point Dredging – Tourism Advisory Committee
- Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership
- Whitsunday Blueprint Water Quality Monitoring Project
- Reef Islands Initiative Advisory Group
- Boats 4 Coral
- Coral Nurture Program
- Seagrass Propagation Program
- Whitsundays Shark Control Group
Membership makes all of this possible. Without it there would be no collective voice representing the interests and values of the Whitsunday Charter Boat Industry.