The Australian Marinas Value Study is being led by Dr. Ed Mahoney, professor and industry extension specialist at Michigan State University and a co-director of the Recreational Marine Research Centre (RMRC) in the USA. As a result of Dr. Mahoney's presentation at the Australian Marinas 2007 Conference on the methodology for measuring the economic and value add of marinas, he has been commissioned to undertake this research in Australia. The outputs of this study will be most valuable in quantifying the value of the Australian marina industry. The study was formally launched at the International Marinas 2009 Conference and Exhibition on the Gold Coast in May 2009.

This research project is being sponsored through a Marina Industries Association of Australia (MIAA) partnership with the Australian, Queensland, New South Wales, Victorian, and Western Australian governments.

According to Jeff d'Albora, President of MIAA: "The Australian Marinas Value Study is an essential initiative by the marina industries to better quantify the value of marinas. For too long we have lacked robust data to present to government, investors, bankers and the wider community on the positive economic and employment impacts of our marinas."

It is a two-stage project. Stage one involved the surveying of 28 MIAA member marinas. The survey was tested, refined and the data analyzed by Dr. Ed Mahoney. Aggregated data from the 28 marinas was presented as part of the study launch.

Post Marinas 2009 stage two opens up participation to all Australian marinas with data entry via this dedicated web site. The value of individual marina activity is entered and provided confidentially through to Dr. Mahoney. From the subsequent analysis and aggregation of data the wider marina industry value will be ascertained to support individual and wider marina industry development.

Your support in providing as much data as possible is important to achieve the study outcomes; however it is recognized you may not have data for all relevant questions. The questions require you to provide scope of operations, financial and employment data relating to your business, and, if applicable, data relating to tenanted/leased businesses at your marina. Data to be entered into the survey relates to the most recent past financial year: 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009 period unless otherwise specified. The right-hand column is for you to list any issues, problems, or suggestions relating to that particular question.

Thank you for your interest in the MIAA Australian Marinas Value Study. The survey is now closed.

Once you have completed the survey the data is submitted and analyzed by Dr. Ed Mahoney. The data is aggregated with the other marinas' data to quantify the value of the marina industries in Australia. If you prefer you can submit a completed hard copy of the survey to Dr. Mahoney via the MIAA Executive Officer. Thank you for your cooperation.

Contact Colin Bransgrove; MIAA Executive Officer, P 02 9439 5806, colin@marinas.net.au if you have any questions about the study.