Better Boating fund – First report
The Victorian Government’s Better Boating Victoria Trust fund was established in 2020 under the Marine Safety Act 2010. The fund was created to ensure all money from the licence fees and recreational vessel registration of Victorian boaters goes to improving boating infrastructure and programs. This followed extensive advocacy work by BIAV over many years, and in particular, as part of the 2018 state election policy platforming.
The first year of the Fund concluded on 30 June 2022 and today the report was released. The report shows an allocation of $30m of the $32m collected, and lists the extensive range of projects being addressed. Click Here to see the report and the extensive and impressive list. This report demonstrates BBV’s commitment to its task of using these funds, as promised, and to improving things for Victorian boaters.
If BIAV members have any comments or queries in relation to the report, and toward how well this $30m has been spent, please direct them to
Immersion Day a success
BIAV is hailing its Industry Immersion Day a great success. On Tuesday (13th) at Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, and across the surrounding maritime precinct, BIAV hosted the day for 70 enthused and engaged upper-secondary students from across Melbourne.
Students were welcomed with an industry overview relating to what great boats and other products are built and distributed in Victoria, where young people can work, and where a career in the boating industry can take them. The BIAV Boating and Marine Industry Careers Guide was provided for all students, teachers and career advisors, and a great deal of career interest was generated.
It is with thanks to Aussie Boat Sales, Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, Penfold Marine, Mariner Engineering, Savages Wharf, Mercury Marine, D Rushbrook Boat Builder & Marine Repairs, Wilksie Marine, Holdfast Marine, The Anti Foul Doctor, Hightide Boating, FJ Darley Shipwrights, C Blunt Boat Builders, Safe Transport Victoria, HEADStart, BIAV’s Education/Industry Skills Committee, and Mary Papantoniou as the facilitator for putting on this important component of the BIAV aspiration to better profile career opportunities within the industry.
To get involved next time, most likely for a South East immersion in the Hastings area, please contact
Last Chance!
There is a tiny parcel of waterfront display space for maybe two boats, and four marina berths. Thanks to some craft planning by Mark and Katrina.
If you’ve missed the Exhibitor window and wonder if you could possibly be squeezed in, please contact Mark Turnbull
Planning otherwise is going very well and almost 5,000 tickets have already been acquired, in advance of the advertising campaign getting underway. Watch out for it over these next three weeks and make sure to like, share and follow. See the event’s website here.
Women on Water – Networking Event
Leading Women in the Marine Industry are invited to the Women on Water Networking Event being hosted alongside the 60th Melbourne Boat Show in Docklands.
The purpose of the event is to explore the current outlook of gender balance in the marine industry and help connect women to the existing networks. We have confirmed Kathrine Grech from BBV and Narelle Ward from ORCA (Oil Response Company of Aus) as our guest speakers for the event.
Free tickets can be booked here.
BBV’s Action Plan 22/23
Better Boating Victoria’s second action plan, which has been developed to support the delivery of the Victorian Recreational Boating Strategy, has been released. The key priorities for the allocation of funding will include:
- The development and subsequent construction of boat ramp upgrades
- Improving maintenance of facilities
- Improving access on water through dredging and also by improving all‑abilities access
- Continued support for boating safety and marine search and rescue services.
Following a $30m spend in the financial year 21/22, BBV in 22/23 have earmarked over $42m of spending to deliver on this action plan. Please click here for the media release and to view the Action Plan. It has been a big day for BBV and state government announcements, with the 21/22 Report being released also.
