Submission Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park ISSUE: Opportunity to maintain and build positive outcomes related to boating SUBJECT: Plan of Management for Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park SUBMISSION: • The Boating Industry Association is the peak industry body which represents the interests of recreational and light commercial boating industry businesses and is an advocate for boaters’ interests. • Boating contributes to significant social, economic and environmental benefits. Strategic context • In NSW, the State Government support an integrated strategic approach to the waterways that spans safety, infrastructure, social, economic and environmental benefits. The BIA supports such a balanced approach and commends it to the process of updating of Plan of Management for Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park (the Plan). Some of the key NSW State Government strategies are: o The NSW Premier's Priorities1 aim to deliver social and economic benefits and quality local environments. The priorities include the following goals: - a strong economy - education - well-connected communities with quality local environments - putting the customer at the centre of everything the State Government does - make the state of NSW the best place to live, work and play. o The NSW State Government Intergenerational Report2 suggests the NSW population is projected to grow by around 1.0 per cent each year, to 11.2 million in 2056. It also shows we are strongly placed to face the future. As it currently stands, and not to forget those in our community who are less fortunate, we are collectively wealthier, living longer and better educated than ever before; and settling in coastal areas for the lifestyle benefits which include boating. The Federal Government says more than 85 per cent of the population live within 1 https://www.nsw.gov.au/improving-nsw/premiers-priorities/ 2 The 2016-17 NSW Intergenerational Report (IGR), titled Future State NSW in 2056 Page 1 of 14 Contact: Neil Patchett, Policy & Advocacy, e. [email protected]; m 0418 279 465 Submission Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park 50km of the coast.3 Little wonder almost 1 in 5 households in NSW has a boat or watercraft4. The Report says that strengthening the economy is enabling and growing opportunity and does not simply mean lifting economic growth. It also means lifting living standards by improving the environment, social outcomes and income distribution. A strong and flexible economy can support these objectives. The NSW Government aims to strengthen the economy by regulating and investing with an eye to making NSW an attractive place to live and work by ensuring that: - competition and innovation flourish across the economy; - investments in our people improve productivity and workforce participation; and - investments in infrastructure support a growing and ageing population and improve productivity. o Future Transport 20565 aims to ‘place the customer at the centre of everything we do’. It outlines a vision, strategic directions and customer outcomes, with infrastructure and services plans underpinning the delivery of these directions across the state. Future Transport 2056 acknowledges the vital role transport (which includes vessels) plays in the land and water use, tourism, and economic development of towns and cities. It includes issue-specific and place- based supporting plans that shift the focus away from individual modes of transport, toward integrated solutions. The strategy and plans also focus on the role of transport in delivering movement and place outcomes that support the character of the places and communities the State Government wants for the future. It cascades down to the State Government’s Regional Boating Plans, Maritime Safety Plan and Maritime Infrastructure Plan6. The BIA recommends that boating is strongly supported via the Plan due to the significant role it can have in supporting key NSW Government strategies in economic, social and environmental outcomes for NSW. Economic context • The Australian marine industry makes a significant contribution to the economy. In 2018-19 the industry had a turnover of $8.65 billion, directly employed more than 3 https://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/[email protected]/Previousproducts/1301.0Feature%20Article32004 4 Recreational Boating Participation Executive Summary, Transport for NSW (2018) 5 https://future.transport.nsw.gov.au/plans/future-transport-strategy/executive-summary 6 https://maritimemanagement.transport.nsw.gov.au/ Page 2 of 14 Contact: Neil Patchett, Policy & Advocacy, e. [email protected]; m 0418 279 465 Submission Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park 28,000 people with more than 14,500 contractors. Seventy-five per cent are in small businesses, employing local workers and supporting local communities. This includes the area in and around Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park which has a history of activity on the water that pre-dates European arrival. The Park also has two significant marinas within it at Bobbin Head and Akuna Bay and provides access to its waters through boat ramps at Akuna Bay and Apple Tree Bay. The waters of the Park generally are accessed by water via Cowan Creek from Pittwater and Broken Bay. Hawkesbury/Pittwater/ Broken Bay/ Brisbane Water provides on-water and dry-stack storage for more than 8500 boats7 and is Greater Sydney’s largest estuary making it an important waterway for recreational boating. • Boating is also a valuable contributor to tourism which is a significant part of the NSW economy. In 2016-17, tourism contributed $40.5 billion (Tourism Consumption) to the NSW economy and employed 262,000 people.8 • Nationally more than 2 million people hold a licence to drive a power boat and there are countless more who sail and paddle. • In New South Wales there are: o more than 500,000 people who hold a licence to drive a powerboat o almost 250,000 people who have a registered vessel o a countless number of small sail and paddle craft (actual numbers are unclear as these craft are not required to be registered or require a licence to operate) o almost 1 in 5 households in NSW have a boat or watercraft (eg., canoes, kayaks, standup paddle boards etc)9 • In the Greater Sydney Region10 which encompasses Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park there are: 7 https://maritimemanagement.transport.nsw.gov.au/documents/hawkesbury-pittwater-brisbane-water-regional- boating-plan.pdf 8 https://www.destinationnsw.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/economic-contribution-of-tourism-to-nsw- 2016-2017.pdf 9 https://maritimemanagement.transport.nsw.gov.au/documents/Boating_Incidents_in_NSW_Statistical%20Report_ 17_18.pdf 10 As defined by Transport for NSW Page 3 of 14 Contact: Neil Patchett, Policy & Advocacy, e. [email protected]; m 0418 279 465 Submission Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park o almost 4000 commercial vessels ranging from ferries that carry commuters and tourists, to working barges that support jobs o more than 70,000 registered vessels o more than 210,000 people with a licence to drive a powerboat o innumerable small sail and paddle craft • The most recent available boating incident data from Transport for NSW (which incorporates the maritime regulator) for the 10 years to 30 June 2019 for the Waters of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park show there were: o 124 official cautions and 51 penalties o 6 serious injuries and no fatalities.11 This indicates a relatively high level of presence by compliance officers and a low serious injury statistic of less than one serious injury a year. For context, the provisional state-wide totals for the same 10 year period were 662 serious injuries and 138 fatalities.12 As such the waters of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park are some of the safest and compliant in NSW. The BIA recommends that boating is strongly supported via the Plan due the importance of the Parks waters to the boating public of NSW and its significant capacity to deliver employment and economic benefits to NSW along with a relatively high degree of safety and compliant users within its waters. Social context • Boating however is more than numbers, it is a way of life for many Australians and that is very much the case in the area around Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park where use of the waterways for transport, fishing or recreation has a long history which pre-dates European arrival. Today, boating is a vibrant and significant part of the social, economic and environmental fabric of the area. • The award-winning marine biologist Dr Wallace Nichols is internationally renowned for his study which, though a scientific evidence-based approach, has shown getting out on the water in a boat promotes a restful state, with significant 11 Centre for Maritime Safety, Transport for NSW 12 Centre for Maritime Safety, Transport for NSW Page 4 of 14 Contact: Neil Patchett, Policy & Advocacy, e. [email protected]; m 0418 279 465 Submission Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park physiological and psychological benefits. He has found that with our lives getting increasingly busy and stressed, boating is the perfect way to unwind and relax.13 • His research includes the vast cognitive, emotional, psychological, social, physical, and spiritual benefits that we can all derive from healthy waters and oceans throughout our lives. • Dr Nichols says: “Being on a boat is one of the best ways to access the wellness benefits of the water”. The BIA recommends that boating is strongly supported via the Plan due to the significant and proven social benefits it can provide to NSW. Environment context • The Boating Industry Association is committed to the care and sustainability of the marine environment which is fundamental to ensuring ongoing and improving social, economic and environment benefits. • Boating is best enjoyed in a clean and healthy environment and the industry is a strong advocate of measures and controls to enhance the quality of the environment.