Angry boaters ramp up attack in lead-up to Victorian election

ANGRY boaters are ramping up the pressure on the state government to spend more of their registration and licence fees on improving infrastructure for their vessels.

ANGRY boaters are increasing the pressure on the state government to spend more of their registration and licence fees on improving infrastructure for their vessels.

While boat owners pay $27 million a year in fees, barely 11 per cent of that cash is used to upgrade dilapidated boat ramps across the state.

The Boating Industry Association of Victoria is now revving up tens of thousands of boaters with a “Ramp Rage” campaign, calling on the government and the opposition to do more to improve their facilities.

VICTORIAN BOAT RACES AT RISK OF SAVAGE FINES

PENALTY NOTICES ISSUED IN WATER POLICE BLITZ

Boatman John Willis at Olivers Hill boat ramp in Frankston. Picture: Alex Coppel

Association advocacy manager Ben Scullin warned there were “a lot of angry boaters” in Victoria, particularly in critical marginal seats along the coast.

“They’re waiting for hours to launch and retrieve (their vessels), they can’t find a car spot,” he said. “It’s a decades-long problem … We go and see the minister every year and have a cup of tea, and it doesn’t work any more.”

“I don’t understand it — they’re actually trying to kill boating, I’m sure of it.”

The Marine Safety Act dictates that licence and registration fees be used “for the provision and maintenance of boating facilities and services for the public”, as well as for boating safety, education and promotion programs.

VicRoads, which collects the fees on behalf of Transport Safety Victoria, has received more than $136 million in the past five years.

Seaford Pier. Picture: Wayne Taylor

But Mr Scullin said not enough of the money was being spent on fixing ramps in areas including Williamstown, Werribee and Frankston.

A government spokesman said the Boating Safety and Facilities Program had supported more than 1400 projects across the state since it was set up.

“We’ve boosted funding for boating infrastructure, providing an extra $5.2 million in this year’s budget including major works on Seaford pier,” the spokesman said.

“The government also supports the operations of Victorian Water Police and TransportSafety Victoria, as well as emergency response, search and rescue, and the provision and maintenance of navigational aids and signs.”

Mr Scullin said some of the $5.2 million was spent on piers used by pedestrians, rather than ramps to launch boats.

With snapper season now starting in Victoria, Mr Scullin said frustration among boaters and fishers with the state’s facilities would increase in the lead-up to the November 24 state election.