Super news on yacht industry

APRIL 20, 2015: WE are clearing the way for a super new job-creating industry in the Whitsundays.I am confident we can clear the two major hurdles preventing the Whitsundays from becoming a major international destination for super yachts, which will boost local employment opportunities.The super yacht industry is extremely lucrative, with each yacht injecting about $50,000 per week into the local economy where it is berthed.To date, the two major hurdles have been issues about tax and environmental regulations and there is good news on both fronts.There are existing protocols used for the cruise ship industry that could be extended to super yachts and that would avoid them having to pay GST on the value of the vessel if brought to Australia (which can amount to millions of dollars).In addition, the Federal Environment Minister, Greg Hunt, and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) have signalled an agreement could be reached later in the year that would relax restrictions on super yachts coming into Whitsunday waters.These changes could be part of the Reef Management Review.Stakeholders have realised super yachts would probably have less impact on the marine park than other vessels already operating in reef waters.These super yachts are very high-tech and have their own environment management systems on board.The current regulations mean super yachts are restricted from going into places where they would most prefer to go.We should be able to establish the Whitsundays as a premier destination for super yachts in Australia and afford the best possible protections for the reef in the process.