Marina at crunch point

Last offer on table as drastic action looms

A STAND-OFF between reef fleet operators and Ports North could finally come to an end after more than a year of failed bartering over Cairns Marlin Marina fees.

Ports North has put its “final deal” on the table for the operators it refers to as the Group of 15 – those long-term operators who signed on for 15 prime berths back when the marina was built in 2003.

That original agreement, which included a lower rate than the 40-plus operators occupying the rest of the berths,

expired in May last year. The port authority wants to bring all of the rates into alignment but to date has been stone

walled by companies who argue fees start at an exorbitant rate – especially for an industry doing it tough.

Ports North chairman Russell Beer said the latest offer would freeze charges for the majority of marina users for three years.

The Group of 15 operators would pay reduced annual increases over that same period until all rates aligned.

Subsequent annual increases for all operators would be locked at CPI until 2034 – instead of the original CPI plus 2 per cent offer.

“This is the third time this year Ports North has attempted to resolve the matter and made significant concessions to operators,” Mr Beer said.

“That includes bringing this group of operators, who currently pay around 13 per cent less than everyone else, up to the same level as everyone else.”

Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators (AMPTO) president Col McKenzie said the organisation would meet on Wednesday to decide on a position.

His gut feeling was there would be an outright rejection.

“That sounds quite reasonable when you take it and apply it to a 30m vessel at $120,000 a year, which is the current cost,” he said.

“It’s a saving of $42,000. “However, compare that to a berth cost at Port Douglas, which is $60,000, or the Whitsundays, which is $40,000.

“It means over the 15-year period you’ll be paying $900,000 more than the people in Port Douglas or $1.2 million more than people in the Whitsundays.

“At least it’s the first time they’ve even tried to provide some fee relief.

“But they’re starting the new lease periods with prices that are already inflated way past the commercial value.”