PROFESSIONAL fishermen launching off the Beachport Boat Ramp will see a 232pc increase in launch fees under Wattle Range Council’s draft budget.
The professional fee is set to increase to $665 per year after councillors voted in favour of a last-minute amendment to the draft document before its release for public comment.
At a special meeting on Tuesday, Councillor Dale Price sought to change the boat fee as outlined in the draft budget from $200 to the more “equitable” rate of $665.
“Cray fishermen are very valuable to our community, but when you look at the fees we charge for some of our facilities, $200 is inequitable,” he said.
“They have gross incomes in the millions of dollars and they are only paying $200 dollars for launch fees.
“It seems to be out of range in terms of what should be a pro rata type basis.
“It is an excellent facility that costs council a lot to maintain.
“I do not think $200 represents a fair and responsible fee to access such a facility.
“Yes, it is a substantial increase, but it is a substantial increase from a minimal fee and it is something we should have changed 10 years ago.”
Kintore Ward’s Cr Kevin McGrath, who represents the coastal areas of Southend and Beachport, spoke in support of the motion and Cr Price’s comments.
“For most cray fishermen, it works out to be $1 a day and after tax it comes back to 50 cents a day,” he said.
“It is probably one of the lesser costs they have.
“It would stop a lot of bitching that goes on about the boat ramp.”
Cr John Drew said the proposed annual fee increase was a “fair amount”.
“If you do the arithmetic, the weekly charge is $36 and 50 weeks at $36 is a significant amount of money,” he said.
“In view of the fees we charge for the cattle bit, and in view of the charges we make to other people, this is a fair amount, also considering it will get a tax reduction.”
However, Beachport-elected Cr Peter Dunnicliff vehemently opposed what he described as a “wealth tax”.
“I’m surprised a couple of you would stand up and say pay more money,” he said.
“If you look at the rates people pay on their houses in Beachport, I think they are paying their fair share.
“I do agree we can charge them more, but I think it is too much of a rise in one hit.”
Cr Dunnicliff labelled Cr McGrath’s earlier claims of the 50 cent a day fee as a “fallacy”, saying it was unfair in light of the seasonal fishing landscape.
“To pay a full annual rate for something you only use four months of the year is not equitable,” he said.
Cr Price’s amendment was supported by the council, with the exception of Cr Dunnicliff, who called a division after losing.
Councillors Thornett and Cox were not in attendance at the meeting.
