Figures show close to 8000 locals hit by licence fee hike Camden Haven Camden Haven News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - August 15, 2024 Expert angler Kate Shelton says the fee hikes are penalising people who enjoy outdoor recreation. IT has been confirmed that close to 8000 local boaties and watercraft owners were hit by last month’s whopping increase to licence fees. Boat owners and users faced a 30 percent increase from 1 July, while fees for personal watercraft (PWC), such as jet skis, rose by 88 percent. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au The cost of staging an aquatic event also rose. Through a Question on Notice to parliament, Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams challenged Minister for Transport Jo Haylen to come up with a breakdown of how many in the electorate have been affected, and by how much. It was revealed that 6968 local residents hold a boat licence and 864 hold a PWC licence. “Over the next five years [that means] 7832 local boaties will be slugged an extra $689,320 in licence fees,” Mrs Williams said. “These fee hikes will not improve outcomes for boaties in any way. It’s simply another cash grab from communities like ours.” Fishing expert and News Of The Area columnist Kate Shelton says it was disheartening to see fees increase in a cost of living crisis. “The vast majority of locally registered boats are small vessels like tinnies, family runabouts and personal watercraft,” she said. “These are enjoyed by ordinary Australians; hardworking taxpayers and young families seeking outdoor recreation – contrary to the stereotype of wealthy owners cruising in luxury yachts. “Penalising people for enjoying the health benefits of outdoor activities seems counterproductive.” Mrs Williams said the new charges will not only affect users. “It will adversely impact businesses which sell and service watercraft,” she said. The full range of licence fee increases can be found on the NSW Government website. By Sue STEPHENSON Close to 8000 people in the Port Macquarie electorate have been affected.
