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Whitsunday Charter Boat Industry
Association Inc.
The WCBIA represents members operating a multi-million dollar charter boat
tourism industry within the Whitsunday region of the Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park.
The WCBIA Inc is a member of the industry peak body, The Association of
Marine Park Tourism Operators (AMPTO).
Some of the important functions the
WCBIA carries out include:
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being a clearing-house of information and statutory
regulations;
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being a central liaison point between members and
other stakeholders;
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being a consultative base for investigation and
analysis of relevant industry issues
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being the
watchdog of our industry by ensuring members adhere to best practice
standards of operations and protection of our marine park.
The WCBIA members have united to address significant
issues such as:
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suitable award wages;
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holding tank legislation;
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marine safety standards;
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permit allocations;
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moorings;
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site management plans;
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submissions to the Representative Areas Program
(GBRMPA);
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Environmental Management and National Park Charges;
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increased Training Standards and collaboration with
Queensland Marine Academy
The WCBIA is also developing
proactive and effective alliances with other stakeholders such as:
- ‘out of
region’ domestic marine tourism operators;
- the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Authority
(GBRMPA)
- Maritime safety Queensland (MSQ);
- the Whitsunday Bareboat Operators
Association;
- the Whitsunday Local Marine Advisory
Committee (WLMAC)
- various Unions
- ..and others
Internally,
the WCBIA is
working on development projects such as:
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compliance and accreditation schemes and training
programs for members;
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selling agents’ accreditation and training program;
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information programs for non-members and other key
stakeholders;
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review of the Constitution of the Association i.e. categories of membership;
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Certification Rules for the use of the
tick logo;
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research and analysis of specific and endemic industry issues such as safety standards and systems and after sales service procedures;
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production and development of an informative, issues related newsletter;
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communications strategies including advertising and web site development;
…in order to continue to develop a more sustainable, viable and professional sector of the marine tourism.
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