Is running a Marina a good business?

The Australian Marina Industry Association has just released to the public a group of statistic regarding marinas in Australia under the title Club Marine 2017 Health of the Australian Marina Survey. There are some very interesting figures.

• There are 113 marinas in NSW 35% of the Australian total of 320
• There are 65,000 vessels stored in all Australian marinas
• 75 % are commercial while 25% are club marinas or other
• NSW has the smallest marinas with the average of only 138 storage spaces – berths
• NSW has the highest occupancy rate at 88% with SA at 22%
• The waiting list for places is again highest in NSW at 45.8% (what ever that means ave 37%)
• 33 of the 320 are fish friendly marinas
• Only 77% of all marinas allow public access
• On average 57 contractors do business in the marinas
• 79 of the 320 have indicated they pay tax and lease payment at about $480,000 per marina.

Batemans Bay Marina pays about $250,000 in lease payments to Dept of Lands with a berth revenue of just short of $1.0 million.

The industry has a total turnover of $1.4 billion. Restaurants, hardstand, fuel and repair services included. That is $3.12 million per location and if you take out the clubs that is much higher per location.

Great business to be in.

So what is the bottom line. We don't have sufficient marinas in NSW. There is a demand for berths and it is a great business to be in. Just look at the return on the investment (audited not claimed) let alone the guaranteed income in advance.