Marinas generate jobs and are lucrative to their communities

by MIAA on 30 Jun 2011 The first Australian Marinas Value Pilot Study Report was released at Marinas 2011. The Report findings highlight the significance of marinas as economic and employment hubs within their communities.

Based on 2008/09 data the estimated total direct economic value of Australian marinas as measured by total revenue generated was $1.16 billion or $3.6 million per marina. This figure includes marina tenants and contractors. The estimated direct permanent and casual employment generated by marinas was estimated to be approximately 6,400 or 17 persons per marina.

MIAA President Andrew Chapman said, 'The findings demonstrate that marinas are a vital asset providing major economic and employment benefits within their respective communities. Well planned and managed marinas provide an excellent platform for sustainable economic and employment growth within communities. The Report provides the evidence to back up the case for marinas being recognised by government as significant infrastructure that deliver measurable economic and employment benefits within local communities.'

The full report includes 40 tables analyzing marina operations and boat storage. Median marina lease payments and median revenues from 22 revenue sources are examples of the data available in the report. The full 40 page report is free to the 63 marinas that participated in the study. It is available for $168 or $89 for MIAA members by contacting the MIAA office info@marinas.net.au

Having completed the Marinas Value Study the next stage of marina research was launched at Marinas 2011. Marinas should register now to participate.

As per the first round of research the MIAA Board is completely satisfied as to the confidentiality of individual marina data. Participants will be grouped into marinas by size, type and region subject to sufficient sample size. Collectively they will represent marinas in Australia. Based on a simpler online annual survey this method will increase data reliability and be highly valuable for marina performance benchmarking.

The data collected from the marina groups will be used to:
(1) produce an annual Health of the Australian Marina Industry Index
(2) generate and regularly provide various financial (e.g., wages and salaries) and performance (e.g., occupancy) ratios
(3) estimate the economic impact of marinas and provide valuable data on marinas environmental and social impacts.
The group system will also provide an efficient way to survey the marina group members to assess their opinions concerning emerging issues affecting the industry (e.g., proposed policies and regulations). Participating marinas will have exclusive access to important information (e.g., results from special surveys, sector and geography specific ratios to benchmark their marinas and to seek advice from similar marinas via discussion groups.

See www.austmarinagroups.com and click on Register for a Marina Group.