A State Opposition MP from Sydney’s Northern Beaches has slammed the NSW Government’s radical proposal to reset its own benchmark for the highest Jet Ski licence fees in the world.
From next month, a 10-year Jet Ski licence in NSW will go from just over $1000 – already the highest in the world – to almost $2000, even though a lifetime licence in Queensland costs $124, and an annual licence in Victoria costs $45.
The NSW Government said increases to Jet Ski licence fees in NSW were necessary to boost NSW Maritime resources and facilities in the wake of a 44 per cent surge in Jet Ski licence holders over the past five years.
However, this means the NSW Government has already received a 44 per cent boost in revenue from Jet Ski licence fees – estimated to be an additional $5.9 million per annum.
And data published by Watercraft Zone yesterday shows NSW Maritime already has more than twice the number of enforcement Jet Skis and boats compared to Maritime Safety Queensland – even though Queensland has twice as many boaters to monitor.
NSW Maritime versus Maritime Safety Queensland
- NSW Martime resources:
- 30 Jet Skis are operated by NSW Maritime
- 92 Boats are operated by NSW Maritime
- 75 Boating Safety Officers
- 15 Boating Safety Education Officers
- Maritime Safety Queensland resources:
- 10 Jet Skis are operated by Maritime Safety Queensland
- 49 Boats are operated by Maritime Safety Queensland
- 63 Boating Safety Officers
- 8 Enforcement Team Officers
- Latest NSW data:
- 20,500 Jet Skis registered
- 218,000 boats registered
- 90,000 Jet Ski licence holders
- 460,000 boat licence holders
- Latest QLD data:
- 35,000 Jet Skis registered
- 240,000 boats registered
- 260,000 Jet Ski licence holders
- 1.01 million boat licence holders
Source: NSW Maritime and Maritime Safety Queensland.
Rory Amon MP, the Member for Pittwater and Shadow Assistant Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, said in a media statement the increases to boating and Jet Ski licence fees risk making the recreation “out of reach for many families” and would “adversely impact businesses who sell and service watercraft”.
“To increase these recreational fees … during a cost-of-living crisis demonstrates how out of touch the (NSW Government) is,” said Mr Amon.
“In response to a Question on Notice, the Government has advised me there are approximately 500 Jet Skis in the Pittwater and Wakehurst electorates.
“All users will be worse off under these fee hikes. I have also asked a question in Parliament seeking answer from Government about how many Pittwater residents will be impacted and what the cost will be.
“These outrageous increases have been implemented without consultation with licence holders or industry stakeholders.
“I have moved a Notice of Motion in Parliament highlighting Pittwater’s strong boating community and that during a cost-of-living crisis the Government’s proposal will increase (Jet Ski) licence fees by up to 88 per cent and boating licence fees by up to 30 per cent.
“I have emphasised the increases have taken place without reference to stakeholders and have called on Government to abandon the changes, pending proper consultation.
“The boating fraternity of Pittwater and beyond is seeking an appropriate response.” said Mr Amon.
All our coverage so far on the NSW Government’s radical Jet Ski licence fee increases
MORE: Our open letter to the NSW Government: please reconsider Jet Ski licence fees
MORE: NSW Maritime already has more Jet Skis, boats and safety officers than QLD, so why are our fees going up?
MORE: Renewed calls for urgent review into NSW Jet Ski licence fee increases
MORE: How to have your say and contact your local government representative
MORE: Jet Skis by the numbers: NSW, QLD and VIC data compared
MORE: Jet Ski injury statistics at odds with logic behind fee increases
MORE: Boating sector ‘blindsided’ by licence fee increases
MORE: NSW proposes world’s highest Jet Ski licence fees
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