2011 has been an extremely busy year for Marine Queensland.  The association has continued to step up efforts to deliver more for members and to protect the future of Queensland’s recreational marine industry.

The Queensland market was rocked by the devastating flood events and Cyclone Yasi in January.  The impact of these disasters on the State economy, already under pressure from challenging economic conditions, still lingers today. 

“The damage caused by these disasters physically, economically and emotionally should not be underestimated,” said Marine Queensland CEO, Don Jones.

“The impact on the recreational and light commercial marine industry has been significant and resulted in a number of changes to the industry structure and size.”

Much of the focus and activities of Marine Queensland were aimed at helping with the rebuilding effort directly and indirectly this year.

Advocacy was a key function of association again in 2011.  An overview of advocacy issues addressed on behalf of members includes:
•             Commercial Marina Rents and Valuation Methodologies
•             Marine Bioregional Planning and the Coral Sea Conservation Zone
•             Import Standards
•             Marine Infrastructure including the Broadwater Master Plan
•             Australian Consumer Law, Personal Properties and Securities Register and Dealing in Second Hand Goods

In an effort to ensure that the association’s activities were in line with industry needs, an emergency summit was held in July which was attended by a broad cross section of industry participants. Key priorities identified by the summit included:
•             Increased Industry promotional activities;
•             Representation of the industry nationally;
•             Advocacy priorities – import standards, water access and red tape/regulation simplification
•             Development of industry standards.

The Association commenced a year of change with the formation of a new Events Strategy.  This strategy implemented a diversification strategy to increase the scope, type and location of events in the State.  Regional events were introduced in Mackay and the Sunshine Coast.  Micro events were also introduced including Boaties Nights at dealers, participation in community events and more initiatives to be announced in 2012.

Industry promotional activities have been significantly ramped up in 2011.  New initiatives include “The Boat Show” television program, significantly increased presence in the world of social media together with newly formed affiliations in the education and training area.

“2012 is once again shaping up to be a busy and challenging year for the industry,” said Jones.

“Front and centre to the activities of Marine Queensland will be building participation rates in recreational boating and marine based leisure.  This is core to industry growth, development and prosperity.”

The team at John Crawford Marine would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and safe New Year.  We are taking the opportunity to have a little R'n'R over the festive break, and will be closing during the following days:

Christmas Eve, Saturday, 24th December 2011 - Closed

Christmas Day, Sunday, 25th December 2011 - Closed

Boxing Day, Monday, 26th December 2011 - Closed

Christmas Day Public Holiday, Tuesday, 27th December 2011 - Closed

Wednesday 28th December 2011 to Friday 28th December 2011 - Open 8:00am to 5:00pm

Saturday 31st December 2011 - Open 8:00am to 3:00pm

Sunday, 1st January 2012 - Closed

New Years Day Public Holiday, Monday, 2nd January 2012 - Closed.

During these opening times, please be aware that we will be running on a skeleton crew, however, will endeavour to get to you as soon as we can, as your custom is important to us.

We then return to normal opening hours from the 3rd January 2012.

The Department of Transport has advised Marine Queensland that the Class Permit for transporting boats (width over 2.5 metres up to 2.90 metres) will be renewed on the 1st December until February 2012. This permit is currently under review to determine if there is a requirement to update the warning device section to be in line with similar excess dimension guidelines and permits, which is why it is only being renewed until February.
Currently, the movement of vehicles that exceed regulation dimensions when carrying indivisible items are covered in the Guideline for Excess Dimensions Vehicles Carrying Indivisible Articles Special Purpose Vehicles in Queensland, Form 4. The guideline specifies the types of vehicles that may engage in oversize travel; however, this guideline only applies to vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of more than 4.50 tonnes, and does not apply to light vehicles such as cars, stations wagons or light commercial vehicles. The limits are based on national model legislation.
The department has become aware of the increase for light vehicles towing trailers with boats that exceed regulations. To ensure these movements are undertaken in a safe manner, the department in conjunction with Marine Queensland has developed a policy to assist in the movement of these vehicles. Class Permit 220-TH-11 is available for some types of vehicles carrying a boat where the boat has a width greater 2.50 metres up to 2.90 metres.
The renewed permit will be available on the below link from the 1st December, under Class Permits - Towing oversize recreational boats (width over 2.50 metres up to 2.90 metres)
http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Business-industry/Heavy-vehicles/Heavy-vehicle-guidelines-and-class-permits.aspx