GENERAL COMPANY DESCRIPTION
Mission Statement:
Our mission is to help ensure the economic and ecological
sustainability of tourism within the Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park (GBRMP).
Goals:
Our goals are to assist our members in operating profitably
through:
a. Promoting marine tourism in QLD,
b. Acting as a forum for the exchange ideas for businesses
involved in marine tourism,
c. Lobbying government at all three levels to minimise levies
and charges, reduce red tape, ensure proposed new legislation
will benefit industry and not be an unjustifiable impost, and
ensure that the health of the GBR is managed in such a way so
that our industry can continue to be fully sustainable from an
ecological point of view.
d. Acting as the peak industry body for the marine tourism
industry.
Principle Objectives:
The principle objectives of AMPTO are listed in our Memorandum
and Articles as being:
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To act as a forum for the exchange of members' views in
relation to the promotion of tourism in the Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park.
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To act as a liaison with Government Agencies and to bring
before Governments and Government Agencies such recommendations
as are approved by the Association.
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To negotiate with Governments for the adoption of policies
deemed necessary for the furtherance of the objectives of the
Association.
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To arrange the promotion of members' services by trade
publicity, participation in trade fairs or whatever other
legitimate means are deemed appropriate.
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To assist with obtaining market intelligence from any source.
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o enter into any arrangements with any Government or
Authority, Municipal Council, local or otherwise, that may seem
conducive to the Association's objectives or any of them and to
obtain from any such Government or Authority any rights,
privileges, concessions, grants, loans or aid which the
Association may think it desirable to obtain; and to carry out
exercise and comply with any such arrangements rights privileges
and concessions.
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To develop, and maintain such standards of service as are in
the interests of the objectives of the Association and the
Australian Nation.
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To collect and disseminate among its members information on
all matters affecting the objects of the Association and to
print publish issue and circulate such papers periodicals books
circulars leaflets and to advertise in the press or on radio or
television or by any other means and in such manner as the
Association may think desirable for the promotion of its
objectives.
Priority Issues for 2005
Issues of priority for AMPTO in 2005 are:
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Consolidation of the RAP.
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Ensuring the Review of the EMC does not disadvantage members
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Achieving a stronger voice within the GBRMPA when its
structure is reviewed.
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Lobbying for an industry representative on the Marine Park
Authority.
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Lobbying for better industry recognition and a stronger voice
with government.
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Conducting the COTS Control Program.
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Participation in the new "CRC Reef/Rainforest."
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Communication to members through the AMPTO web site and a
Newsletter after every Board Meeting.
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Maintain a watching brief on:
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the tourism levy proposed by local government
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hull scrubbing and antifouling
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port security procedures and costs
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the GBRMPA permits and POM
Business Philosophy
AMPTO believes that the goals and objectives of the Association
can only be achieved through a unified industry and that AMPTO
must strive to strengthen our voice by ensuring that all
industry sectors have a voice on our Board and that they can
participate in our decision making.
AMPTO accepts that individual member associations of AMPTO may
have different objectives or opinions to AMPTO and that they may
represent those views in their own right, while AMPTO must
continue to represent the views of the majority of the industry.
Membership
Full membership of AMPTO is available to people or businesses
who are involved in the provision of tourism services within the
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and who seek to become financial
members of the Association. There are two other categories of
membership, both non- voting:
a. Association Member
- Any member of any association which
joins and is a financial member of the Association
b. Associate Member
- Any persons, firms, companies,
corporations, associations or organisations seeking to become
associate members of the association, with the exception of
Great Barrier Reef marine park tourism operators, whose
membership dues, calculated under the provisions prescribed for
full membership, would be greater than that for this associate
category.
The current membership of AMPTO including all categories is 130
and our members take 95% of the tourists paying the
Environmental Management Charge (EMC) to the GBR.
The following Associations are members of AMPTO:
a. Dive QLD
b. WCBIA
c. WCBOA
d.
WBBOA
e. GBRCBOA
f. CHARROA
AMPTO accepts that it can not possibly represent 100% of the
marine tourism industry because of the minority interests of
some groups, such as fishing, and the existence of companies and
individuals who will not join any trade association but who none
the less enjoy the benefits that the associations achieve on the
industries behalf. AMPTO does however intend to maintain its
position as the peek industry body, representing the
overwhelming majority of commercial operators and tourists
visiting the GBR.
What Does AMPTO Do?
On behalf of its members and the marine tourism industry, AMPTO:
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Lobbies the three tiers of government on legislation,
environment and assistance to industry matters.
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Conducts the Crown Of Thorns Starfish (COTS) Program.
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Liaises with the GBRMPA on a day to day basis.
-
Represents industry on the following Forums, Boards and
Committees:
- TRRAC (Tourism and Recreational Reef Advisory Committee) -
GBRMPA
- Cairns LMAC (Local Marine Advisory Committee) - GBRMPA
- CRC Reef
- QLD Marine Board
- Alliance For Sustainable Tourism
- QTIC Associations Committee (QLD Tourism Industry Council)
- Dive QLD
- GIRAC (Green Island Reef Advisory Committee)
- FNQ NRM (Far North QLD Natural Resource Management)
- QMA (QLD Maritime Academy)
- AMTN (Australian Marine Training Network)
- Transport and Distribution ITAB (Industry Training Advisory
Board)
- QLD Workplace Health and Safety Dive Industry Review
Committee
- Australian Standards Committees for recreational and
commercial diving
- FNQ Community Forum
-
Negotiates bulk purchasing arrangements with service
providers and industry wholesalers, either to raise funds for
the Association or to provide direct benefit to the members.
Examples are:
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Sea sickness tables,
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Credit card rates, and
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Telecommunications.
AMPTO Structure
AMPTO Ltd is a not for profit limited company. Liability is
limited to a maximum payment of $500.00 per member.
Membership fees constitute the primary funding of the
Association although some profit will be generated from the sale
of sea sickness tablets.
AMPTO has several Groups so that the members can more easily
discuss issues of concern to them within an industry sector,
particularly where the full AMPTO Board may take a more global
view. The Groups are:
a. Northern Group - From Townsville north to Cape York.
b. Southern Group - All areas south of Townsville.
c. Island Group - Barrier Reef and continental islands off the
QLD Coast.
d. Long Range Rover Group - Operators roving over the whole GBR.
AMPTO Board
The Board of Directors of AMPTO is very impressive with it
almost being a Who's Who for the marine industry. With the
exception of the Executive Director, none of the Board Members
receives any remuneration for their Board activities and even
the expenses incurred in attending meetings are incurred at the
member's own expense. The Board Members are:
a. David Hutchen - Chairman
David Hutchen is Managing Director of Fantasea Cruises - the
largest, wholly Australian owned, Great Barrier Reef marine
tourism operator. David has over 22 years experience in the
marine tourism industry and has been heavily involved in local
and state-wide industry and government advisory groups during
that time. David is currently a Board Member of CRC Reef and
Tourism Whitsunday's, a founding member of the Great Barrier
Reef Research Foundation, a member of the Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park Authority's Tourism and Recreation Reef Advisory
Committee and a member of Singapore's Sentosa Islands
Development Advisory Council.
b. Mike Burgess - Deputy Chairman
Mike is the Chairman & Managing Director of Quicksilver
Connections Ltd. He has had 15 years experience in marine
tourism with Quicksilver and a total of 38 years in general
tourism. He is currently the Deputy Chair of AMPTO and also sits
on the National Oceans Advisory Group to the Minister for
Environment. He is a board member of CRC Reef and a member of
the Marine Park Authority's Tourism Recreation Reef Advisory
Committee.
c. Tony Baker
Tony is Group General Manager of Reef Management which owns and
operates Great Adventures and Green Island Resort. Great
Adventures operates tourist vessels out of Cairns to Green
Island and the Barrier Reef. Green Island Resort includes a 46
room, 5 star resort and day visitor facility located on Green
Island, 27 km's from Cairns. Tony has extensive experience in
the tourism industry having previously held positions as General
Manager of Skyrail and Sea World Theme Park.
d. Greg Boller
Greg is the Managing Director of Sunsail, a bare boat charter
yacht company working out of Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays.
Greg is doing his third, two year term as a Board Member of
AMPTO.
e. Peter Boundy - Dive QLD
Peter is an owner of Cairns Dive Centre, one of the largest
certifying dive shops in the world. Last year his business
taught over 6,000 divers. Cairns Dive Centre operates a live
aboard dive vessel and a fast day boat out of Cairns. Peter has
been involved in the industry for over 20 years and is the
immediate past President of Dive QLD
f. Brendan Brady
Brendan is the Marine Operations Manager for P&O Australian
Resorts. He has twenty years involvement with the Queensland
Marine and Tourism Industry and has been an active Board member
of AMPTO for the last three years.
g. Chris Evetts - Chair Long Range Rovers Group
Chris is the Managing Director of Wyllaway Cruises and the Chair
of the Long Range Rovers Group.
h. Bernard Heimann - Chair Southern Group
Bernard is the Managing Director of Maxi Action in the
Whitsundays and has many years of experience within the marine
tourism industry. As well as being the Chair of AMPTO's Southern
Group, Bernard is also a member of the GBRMPA's TRRAC and a
board member of the WCBIA.
i. Wayne Kirkpatrick - Chair Island Group
Wayne Kirkpatrick is the Managing Director and CEO of Hamilton
Island Limited. Wayne has led Hamilton Island since 1996 and
previously led the Ayers Rock Resort in the NT, the Mirage
Resorts on the Gold Coast and in Port Douglas, Qld, and Thredbo
Resort in the Snowy Mountains of NSW.
Wayne has always been involved in representing the interests of
the tourism industry to Govt's, having been a Director of the
Snowy Mountains Tourist Assoc, the Australian Ski Areas
Association, the Tourism Task Force, CATIA ( Central Australian
Tourist Industry Assoc )and the Northern Territory Tourist
Commission. In recent times has been the past Chairman of
Tourism Council of Australia, Tourism Whitsunday and the
Whitsunday Tourism Strategy Implementation Group. He is
presently a member of TRRAC and a Director of the Tourism Task
Force.
j. Stuart Liebmann
Stuart is the Managing Director of Whitsundays Rent a Yacht.
k. John Millwood
John is a Director of Sunlover Cruises which operates out of
Cairns.
l. Steve Moon - Chair Northern Group
With over 30 years marine experience, 15 of which have been
focused on marine tourism, Steve is currently the director of
business development with IRES Remote Corporate Services.
Steve's current focus is on providing training and advice to the
marine tourism industry, nationally and internationally, at both
a recreational and commercial level. Steve is also a board
member of Dive Queensland.
m. Alan Wallish
Alan is the Managing Director and part owner of Passions of
Paradise a 25 metre sailing catamaran operating out of Cairns.
Alan has run the business for more than 15 years and is a
qualified skipper and dive instructor. He holds university
qualifications in geography, education and E-commerce. Alan has
been an active Dive QLD Board Member for many years.
n.
David Windsor
David is a Founding Member and the Managing Director of the
Great Barrier Reef Research Foundation. He is also a Director of
the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators (AMPTO) and a
Director of the Co-operative Research Centre for the Great
Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. David chaired the Qld. Diving
Industry Committee from 1992-1997, advising the Minister for
Vocational Training, Education and Industrial Relations. He
chaired the Commonwealth Government Worksafe - Expert Review
Group in 1995-1996, advising on occupational diving standards.
He was a member of the Board of DIVE Australia 1989-1995 and
DIVE Queensland representative to AMPTO from 1990 to 1997. David
was appointed a life member of Dive Queensland in 1996 and was
presented with a "Dive Australia Award" in 1993.
o. Col McKenzie - Executive Director
Col has served on the AMPTO Board for 3 years, he is an owner
and Director of SSI Australia, runs a marine tourism consulting
company called Gempearl Pty Ltd, and is the General Manager of
Dive QLD having served on their Board for 5 years as the
Secretary and 3 years as the President. He has worked in the
marine tourism industry for more than 20 years in positions from
instructor, skipper, owner, consultant and association
administration.
p. Joe Catalano - CNS Partners - Auditors
Joe Catalano and CNC Partners have been the Auditors for AMPTO
for the last 6 years and they audit our general trading accounts
and the COTS Control Program expenditure.
Office Administration
The Executive Director, Col McKenzie, oversees the day-to-day
administration of AMPTO. He has following tasks:
General
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Development and implementation of strategies that further the
objectives of AMPTO.
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Regular visits and liaison with operators and government
officials involved with the marine tourism industry with
particular reference to GBRMPA.
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Media liaison to maximise the positive image of protecting
the GBR and minimising any damage to tourism or tourism
operators.
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Attendance at industry and government meetings on behalf of
AMPTO.
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Reporting on AMPTO issues to the AMPTO Board
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Any other tasks relating to AMPTO, as directed by the AMPTO
Chair.
Administration
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Providing a serviced office for the Association.
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Ensuring the day-to-day management of AMPTO is conducted in a
professional manner that reflects favorably on the AMPTO Board.
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Answering all correspondence in a timely fashion.
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Adhering to time lines set by the AMPTO Chair and Board.
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Advising industry through regular newsletters about matters
of industry importance and AMPTO's initiatives.
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The calling of all Association meetings as directed by the
Chair, timely distribution of meeting documents and recording
the minutes of all AMPTO Board meetings, General and Special
Meetings.
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Providing monthly reports on AMPTO activity to the Chair.
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Assisting where possible the administration of the various
AMPTO Chapters.
Financial Accountability
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Adherence to approved budgets.
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The development of additional budgets and/or modifications to
existing ones. (For approval by the Board).
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Ensuring that ongoing expenditure is recorded in a manner
that can be easily audited.
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Submitting accounts to the AMPTO auditor in the required
format.
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Acquitting all expenditure to the satisfaction of the
auditor.
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Expanding AMPTO's financial base through increased membership
and any other manner possible that is compatible with AMPTO's
objectives.
THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS
Policy
Policy is decided by the full Board.
The Board meets four times per year and any member may bring any
issue affecting marine tourism before the Board for a policy
determination. To bring an issue before the Board following
steps must be taken:
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Submit the issue in writing to the Executive Director.
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The Executive Director will include the issue as an agenda
item for the next Board meeting.
-
If the member putting the issue forward is not a member of
the Board, they will be invited to speak on the issue when it is
debated but they may not vote at the Board meeting.
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All issues before the Board are decided by the majority vote.
In the event that the votes are tied, the Chair does not have a
second vote and the issue is decided in the negative.
Where an issue requires urgent attention it may be submitted to
the Executive Director in writing and it will then be sent out
to all Directors via email, fax or post, for a decision. Where
the issue may prove controversial, a teleconference or an extra
ordinary Board meeting will be held to allow active debate.
Once the policy on an issue is decided, the Executive Director
is required to ensure it is implemented as soon as practicable.
Local Issues
Some issues are very localised and as such a best handled by the
appropriate Regional Group. Those groups are:
Each group has its own committee and Chair of that committee is
a Board member of AMPTO.
Issues may be brought before your local group by contacting the
Chair of that group. It will then be included in the agenda for
the next meeting. The person putting the issue forward may
attend the meeting to speak about the issue and may vote if
financial.
Local issues may be decided howsoever the relevant Group
determines, provided that the decision will not impact the other
Groups or AMPTO as a whole. Where is determined that an issue
will have wider impact, it must be referred to the AMPTO Board
for a policy decision.
Member Associations
Associations that are members of AMPTO follow their own
association's rules for decision-making. They may however seek
support from AMPTO's Board on any issue.
Once AMPTO's Board has debated an issue, a policy will be
determined that in the opinion of the Board is best for the
entire marine tourism industry. Where AMPTO decides against
supporting a member association's stance on an issue, that
association may continue to promote its own point of view but
must not portray that point of view as being AMPTO's.
Rules and Procedures for Group Meetings
Group Meetings
Group meetings are held so that items and issues of interest to
those Groups can be covered in detail and the most appropriate
response made. They may refer any item or issue to the Board.
The Groups are free to make whatever representation they wish on
all Group issues but must keep the Board advised through the
Executive Director. The manner in which a Group deals with an
issue may in fact vary from Group to Group and from the Board.
The Board must take a reef wide view and may in some cases not
be able to offer support where that support would not be in the
interests of the other Groups.
Some issues are not applicable to the whole of AMPTO but are of
vital importance to a Group and as such need to be actioned by
that Group. A good example is the Cairns Port Authority charges
where the Northern Group and Dive QLD handled the issue. All the
Board did was provide overall support including financial and
political backing.
Each Group elects its own committee (if needed) and Chairman. As
with the Board, these positions are normally filled for two
years but may be done annually as required by the Group.
Membership of Groups
Membership of Groups is subject to the same rules as outlined in
our Memorandum and Articles. These provide for the following
membership categories:
a. Full Members - Any persons, firms, companies, corporations,
associations or organisations who are involved in the provision
of tourism services within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
and who seek to become financial members of the Association.
b. Association Members (Non Voting) - Any member of any
association, which joins and is a financial member of the
Association.
c. Associate Members (Non voting) - Any persons, firms,
companies, corporations, associations or organisations seeking
to become associate members of the association, with the
exception of Great Barrier Reef marine park tourism operators
whose membership dues, calculated under the provisions
prescribed for full membership, would be greater than that for
this associate category.
While Associations who join AMPTO are not bound by AMPTO's
constitution and are not answerable in any way to AMPTO, they
must abide by AMPTO's meeting rules at AMPTO Group Meetings. The
relationship is one of co-operation and for the sourcing of
information, opinions and feedback so that industry can speak
strongly on issues that are of common interest. Associations are
free to make their own representation to any party when their
Association disagrees with an AMPTO position or policy.
Attendance and Voting Rights
The Memorandum and Articles of AMPTO allow any financial member
to attend and speak at any general meeting of the Association
and this includes Group meetings.
Only financial Full Members or an authorised member of an
Association may vote. This means that an Association Member may
attend and speak on an issue but may not vote. The Association
gets one vote if that Association's Board has given an
authorised proxy to one of its members to vote on its behalf or
authorised a member of their Executive to fulfil that role by a
motion moved and carried on their books. An example would be
five Association Members of Dive QLD attend a meeting of the
Southern Group. All can speak on any issue but only one may vote
and only if that person has been authorised by Dive QLD's Board.
Non-financial members should not be allowed to attend a Group
Meeting. Under no circumstances is a non-financial member
allowed to speak or vote at any Group Meeting. The Chair may at
its absolute discretion, invite a prospective new member to a
Group Meeting but that person may not speak or vote on any
issue. All such invitees are to be recorded in the Minutes along
with the name of the sponsoring financial member.
Every resolution submitted to a Group Meeting shall be decided
in the first instance by a show of hands of financial Full
Members plus authorised Association representatives unless a
poll is demanded by the Chairman or three members present in
person or by their representative or proxy. In the case of an
equality of votes the Chairman shall not be entitled to a second
or casting vote and the motion shall be lost.
A meeting may not vote on any issue unless a quorum of members
is present. A quorum is achieved when 3 financial Full Members
and/or Association Members authorised to vote on behalf of their
Association are present.
Notice of Group Meetings
Notice of a group meeting should where possible be given 7 days
prior to the meeting being held. The venue and time should be
chosen to maximise attendance. Notice may be served by email,
post, fax or verbally, provided that a record of how each
eligible voting member was contacted is maintained.
The notice of meeting should include a proposed agenda and
request for additional agenda items.
Business at Group Meetings
The business to be conducted at each meeting should include:
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Minutes of the Previous Meeting,
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Matters Arising form the Previous Minutes,
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Financial Affairs,
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Chairs/Secretary's Report,
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Report on Main Board Activity,
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Report by Executive Director,
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Agenda Items,
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Recommendations for Main Board, and
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General Business.
Financial Expenditure
Groups may not conduct financial transactions without the
express approval of the Main Board, who have a fiduciary
responsibility to the members and the ASIC for the financial
transactions of the Association.
All financial expenditure must be approved by a moved and
seconded motion and majority vote. Expenditure for items less
than $500.00 may be retrospective. For items costing more than
$500.00 approval from the Board must be obtained prior to
commitment of funds.
AMPTO will provide funds for some secretarial and communication
(postage, fax, typing of Minutes, etc) services to the Groups.
Referral and Report to Board
The Minutes of any Group Meeting and any recommendations and
supporting documentation, should be made available to the
Executive Director in time for them to be incorporated into the
next Board Papers.
Groups must consult with the Board on issues that affect the
whole or majority of the GBR, or on matters of policy.
Express Purpose of the Group Meeting Rules & Procedures
It is the express purpose of the Group Meeting Rules &
Procedures to:
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Stop non-voting members from directing the affairs of AMPTO
and its Groups.
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Prevent non-members from influencing decisions at meetings.
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Provide a framework for the efficient conduct of a meeting.
THE MARINE TOURISM INDUSTRY
Size
There are about 1.8 million visitors to the GBR each year. It is
estimated by industry that there is about $1.5 to $2 billion in
direct revenue generated by our industry. Based on 1999 figures
the Productivity Commission estimated that revenue raised by
tourism within the GBR catchment was about $4.3 billion with
about 37,000 jobs being provided. The Commission showed that
tourism was the biggest employer in the region and second only
to mining in value to the economy of the region.
An economic significance study commissioned by AMPTO, Tourism
QLD and Cairns City Council showed the value of the industry in
the Cairns/Port Douglas area as being worth $736 million per
year.
The industry contributes approximately $7 million per year to
the GBRMPA budget through the payment of the EMC and
approximately $1.2 million goes to the CRC Reef for applied
research.
Research shows that the GBR is the most significant attraction
for tourism within the North QLD region with about 80% of
tourists visiting the GBR at least once.
Approximately 1.4 million scuba dives are conducted each year
with approximately 0.5 million of those dives being resort dives
where the tourist experiences their first ever scuba dive
without having done a formal training course.
The investment by the marine tourism industry in infrastructure
to show case the GBR World Heritage Area is estimated by Ernst
and Young to exceed $2.5 billion.
The federal government collects approximately $337 million in
taxes from our efforts while it spends around $73 million in GBR
management for tourism. The state government receives
approximately $124 million of the federal tax money through GST
and collects another $19 million in other taxes fro our
industry. It spends about $23 million on the GBR.
The marine tourism industry spends about $17 million on
marketing, education and site stewardship. This money is spent
primarily in showcasing and protecting the GBR World Heritage
Area
Safety
Diving and snorkelling on the GBR has the safest record of
anywhere in the world.
We have one death for every 420,000 scuba dives and this
compares to the rest of Australia at approximately 1:120,000,
the USA at 1:100,000 and Japan at 1:15,000.
Unlike the rest of the world where panic is the biggest single
factor, the principle cause of death has been participants
having medical emergencies while underwater. Cardio vascular
events are the biggest single cause.
QLD has the only scuba and snorkelling Regulations and mandatory
Codes of Practise in the world.
SUCCESS STORIES
GST on EMC
AMPTO lobbied government for the removal of GST on the EMC and
the after repeated requests for action over a 12 month time
frame, we gave all our documentation to the federal opposition
and asked for their help because of the Aust Tax Office's
enforcement of their claims against our members. In fact several
had already been forced to pay the GST along with penalties. Two
accounts, one for over $14,000 and the other for over $20,000
had been enforced with devastating effect on the small
businesses that had to find this unbudgeted money.
This action resulted in an immediate forgiveness on
administrative grounds of all GST due on the EMC up to 1st
September 2003. It is estimated that this was worth
approximately $800,000 per year or $2.533 million over the 3
years and 2 months that GST had been in effect.
This success was followed up with a change to Legislation with
effect as at 20th April 2004 which made GST on EMC no longer
payable. This amendment to the Legislation was supported by both
parties and was one of the quickest amendments to be processed
by government surprising many people including our lobbyist in
Canberra.
The value to industry continues to be approximately $800,000 per
year and this benefit is more than six times what our members
pay in combined membership fees.
RAP
The RAP was another success for industry and one that will take
five or more years to show its true value. While science,
industry and the conservation movement all supported the RAP, we
went head to head with the fishing lobby.
The Dr David Kemp, the then Minister for the Environment, made
it very clear that unless the marine tourism industry publicly
supported the RAP, it was not going to happen!
Our public support for the RAP again placed us at loggerheads
with the same members of parliament that had been less than
helpful with the GST debate even though we were supporting their
own party's initiative.
The RAP went through with a few amendments but was still
essentially the result needed by the marine tourism industry at
large. The health of our GBR being accepted as too important not
to make the effort to ensure a good chance for survival despite
the pressure to do otherwise!
The personal costs to our Board members on this vital but
controversial issue were quite high. Our Chair had
demonstrations and access to his vessels blocked by fishermen
and death threats and bricks through windows also occurred.
As a direct result of our lobbying on the RAP, AMPTO has never
been in a better position to represent industry and is seen by
government to be effective, resolute and a sound ally on
environmental issues.
Island Valuations
In 2002, AMPTO acted on behalf of the members of its Island
Group to obtain a fairer valuation of islands for rate purposes
than that proposed by the Department of Natural Resources. With
AMPTO conducting these negotiations and the Group being solidly
behind us, an excellent outcome was achieved saving our members
over $3 million over the 5 year term of the agreement.
The next round of negotiations on island valuations is due to
start soon, with finalisation due in 2005.
Partnership
The last two years has seen the development of a valuable
partnership with the GBRMPA. This partnership has been achieved
through the efforts of our Chair and Virginia Chadwick and their
determination that it should be embraced by their respective
organisations.
Communications with the GBRMPA are the best we have ever had
with solid membership of the TRRAC and at least weekly meetings
(phone or in person) between the GBRMPA's Director of Recreation
and Tourism and our Executive Director.
AMPTO is actively involved in the GBRMPA policy development
process and is able to ensure that our industry's concerns are
well known and taken into account.
AMPTO will however continue to lobby for inclusion on the MPA so
that its voice can be automatically heard at the highest
possible level within the GBRMPA and Department of Environment.
Cairns Port Charges
While Dive QLD was seen as the driving force on this issue and
received the most recognition, there were a significant number
of persons that realised the main administrative and
coordination work was done by AMPTO's Executive Director.
The significant outcomes were:
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A $731,000 saving for industry over the next 5 years just on
the passenger levy.
-
An extra year's lead-time before any charging increases. Now
to start 1 July 2004.
-
A gradual increase in berthage fees over 5 years
-
The fact that the industry stood together to oppose the rise
and the political clout we were able to wield.
Lobbying and Industry Recognition
Without a doubt the last few years has seen AMPTO become an
effective lobby group. Federal and State governments invite
AMPTO to be part of most decision making processes where we are
at all likely to be affected.
AMPTO employs a lobbyist in Canberra and through his services we
have been able to gain access to the relevant ministers and
their advisors when needed.
In order to maintain a presence within the minds of our
politicians, we have programmed and allowed for within our
budget, at least three trips per year for our Executive Director
to visit Canberra and talk to our political leaders about
industry concerns.
Many of the successes mentioned in this document are directly
attributed to our lobbying approach.
Fuel
The Diesel Fuel Rebate Scheme was reviewed in 2002 and there was
significant pressure to withdraw the rebate paid to operators
which in fact had only been given to our industry the previous
year after lobbying by AMPTO.
AMPTO commissioned Ernst and Young to put a submission to the
parliamentary committee conducting the review. The cost of this
was in excess of $25,000.
Our submission helped in maintaining the benefit under the new
scheme called the Diesel Fuel Rebate Scheme. At about 38c per
litre this is an extremely important win for our industry and
would not have been possible without AMPTO.
COTS
AMPTO has lobbied for and obtained funding for an industry wide
COTS control program, which it now operates for the benefit of
those operators with their own COTS programs. At the time of
writing the program had removed of 58,000 COTS form tourism
sites from the Whitsundays to the Ribbon Reefs.
Initially funded by a State Government grant of $300,000 for a
pilot study and then by Federal and State grants of $700,000
each, which allowed the program to operate through to December
2003. Subsequent funding of $300,000 was obtained from the
Federal Government and the State and Federal governments then
committed to $500,000 each per year for the next three years.
Total funds provided and/or promised by government will be $5
million. None of which would have been forthcoming without
AMPTO.
The current program will run until December 2006 or longer if
funding allows.
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths
Board Members
The Board Members of AMPTO are a major strength. They bring an
almost unlimited knowledge of the industry, a wide experience
range, strong leadership, instant credibility with government by
virtue of their positions within our industry and the financial
resources needed when projects like the Fuel Tax submission need
additional funding.
The members of the Board donate their time to AMPTO and pay
their own expenses in attending AMPTO meetings and functions. As
the Board meets four times per year, this is not an
insignificant contribution by these members.
Membership
All the major operators within the GBR are members of AMPTO.
Our members carry about 95% of the tourists that visit the GBR.
With our Association Membership we are able to represent the
overwhelming majority of the tourism users of the GBR and we are
clearly the peek industry body.
Acceptance by Government
Federal and State governments accept AMPTO as the peak body and
this is enhanced through our partnership with the GBRMPA.
We have representation on more than 15 other Boards and are
invited to comment on almost anything that is likely to impact
our industry.
Financial Position
The financial position of AMPTO is sound. In 2003 AMPTO had its
first ever surplus and this was again achieved in 2004. The
proposed 2005 budget reflects a small surplus for the year
providing membership income remains steady.
These surpluses are directly related to increased membership and
membership fees while holding costs down.
Management
The management of AMPTO by the Executive Director, through the
Chair, is seen by most of industry to be effective. Timelines
are met, calls returned and in general, membership
requests/contacts are handled in an efficient manner.
Interaction with government and other associations is positive
and every effort is made to deliver on promises or support
requests. This positive interaction has resulted in additional
requests for AMPTO to become involved in peripheral
organisations.
The relationship between the Chair and Executive Director is one
of mutual trust and respect and this translates into the
Executive Director being confident that he will be supported on
controversial matters as long as he has briefed the Chair prior
to taking action.
Weaknesses
Communications
Even with the massive amount of information available over the
web and via email, communications with our members continues to
be a weakness. The fact remains that our members do not realise
how much is done on their behalf.
Our web site was developed by a site developer who went out of
business and it took more than 6 months for us to obtain the
passwords and move the site to a new provider.
At the time of writing the web site is being updated and in
future it will be updated after every meeting of the Board.
Polarization by the Industry
The tendency for industry to polarize into groups continues to
be a problem. There is a perception that the big operators
versus the small, Cairns versus the Whitsundays, everyone versus
the bare boat operators, etc. While this is not fact and the mix
of operators on the AMPTO Board is proof that it is not, it
still is a very common perception.
AMPTO needs to work harder at showing an unbiased unified voice
to its members as well as government.
It is possible for a controversial issue to so polarize the
membership that it could destroy AMPTO and care must be taken to
ensure that AMPTO does represent the majority view.
Finances
While our financial position is the best it ever has been,
finances continue to restrict what we can achieve.
Since AMPTO's inception it has attracted high quality staff but
been unable to offer fulltime employment owing to the lack of
its ability to raise enough money to pay those people on a
fulltime basis. As a direct result AMPTO has contracted the
management of the association to consulting or management
companies that had other consulting contracts that topped up
their remuneration to an acceptable level. Historically while
this has worked, the question must be asked of what might be
achieved if the Executive Director could concentrate 100% on
AMPTO's objectives and not have to do additional contracts.
Lobbying expenses could easily be doubled to allow six visits
per year to Canberra and several to Brisbane. I am sure that the
gains in increasing our presence would be enormous, particularly
since tourism has just started to become a national and state
political force.
The lack of administrative support for the Executive Director
often results in time being spent in mind numbingly repetitive
tasks that divert productive output but the finances do not
allow for an assistant.
Cost of Fees
The cost of being a member of AMPTO is high. With the highest
fee being $12,500 plus GST and the lowest full membership fee
being $500 many businesses find it difficult to pay.
While the savings generated by AMPTO for the operators on such
things as GST, Fuel Rebates and Island Valuations have saved
many times the costs of membership, businesses still resist
joining AMPTO because of the fees.
Our Association Membership Fee of $200 was more than the annual
fee that one association that wanted to join us charged their
members on and annual basis. Naturally, they did not join.
Conflict with Politicians
Over the last two years the Executive Director has had several
public conflicts with politicians over the GST and RAP issues.
These conflicts have been compounded by the fact that he is an
active member of the opposition party and managed the election
campaign for the current State Environment Minister.
While his standing with the State government is understandably
high, he has been banned from contacting the federal member for
Leichhardt by the member himself.
Care must be taken for AMPTO to be politically neutral and work
will be needed to repair the relationship with the local member
and minimise any damage should that person gain higher office.
Opportunities
Membership Growth
With more than 700 permittees in the GBR there is an excellent
opportunity for membership growth if we can identify the
permittees and issues that they feel are important.
Market Growth
Australia is still seen as safe and the value of our currency is
not too high, making it an affordable destination. With the
advent of international and domestic budget airlines and
additional flights from SE Asian and China we will see an
increase in tourism visitation. The mix will change and we will
have to be very price conscious but with the additional numbers
we should be able to see real growth over the next few years.
Better Access to Government
Effective lobbying will open up better access to government.
This access will enable AMPTO to put forward our concerns on a
multitude of issues and ensure that those concerns are taken
into account.
On a State level AMPTO already has the ability to access any
Minister but the challenge is to obtain the same degree of
access on a Federal basis.
Increasing Finances
Sales of seasickness tablets and other lines may be an excellent
way in which to increase AMPTO's funds.
AMPTO has already provided several companies with the tablets
and could possibly raise up to $20,000 through their sale over a
12 month period, once we start getting orders from more
businesses.
Better Recognition of Value of the Industry
Tourism and in particular, marine tourism has become a very
topical subject with government over the last two years
primarily because of the RAP process but also because of the
national acceptance of the GBR as a major drawcard for tourism
and AMPTO's continual lobbying. AMPTO has an excellent base to
ensure the recognition of the value of our industry and should
try and ensure that they are able to convert that recognition
into political strength so that our needs are not overlooked in
government policy.
Threats
Competition by Other Associations
Competition by other associations is serious threat for AMPTO.
These associations all have local or sectorial support and offer
their members similar benefits to those offered by AMPTO.
A significant threat is to our membership fees because someone
can join an association and have Association Membership of AMPTO
for $200 while a full member must pay at least 10% of one day's
maximum revenue or $500, whichever is the least. The only thing
the Association Member does not get from AMPTO is a vote. Nearly
all our full members belong to at least one other association
and if they opted to not join AMPTO to save money, it would
create a very serious cash flow problem.
Recognition and influence is another potential problem.
Government likes to listen to one voice on behalf of industry
but when that voice disagrees with them, they have in the past
looked to other associations for a different view to justify
their own position. We have all seen the "divide and conquer"
principle used against our industry with marked success.
There are numerous examples of breakaway association being
formed when someone has a problem with the management of an
association and this type of industry politics is very
destructive in that is splits our voice and our resources and
inevitably places yet another association in competition with
those that already exist including AMPTO.
Commercial Pressures on Members
Rising costs, smaller profit margins and increased government
interference in our businesses are all placing enormous
commercial pressures on our members. When this occurs there is
no choice other than to cut costs and/or put up prices. Price
rises are the most difficult option and in any cost cutting
exercise, association membership is an easy out.
Health of the GBR
The health of the GBR is as vital to our industry as is the
economic health of our members.
The Federal and State governments have commenced funding the GBR
Water Quality Protection Fund, ratified the RAP, restricted
fishing through the Fin Fish Management Plan, funded COTS
control and increased funding for research. All because of their
recognition that the GBR is the economic power house of the
North QLD economy.
All of the above may of course be too little too late!
The damage done to the reefs off Cairns five years ago by COTS
has resulted in high visitation reefs with less than 5% coral
cover and poor visitor satisfaction. Unfortunately there does
not appear to be any coral recruitment on those reefs as yet and
the reefs are going to be very slow to recover. Possible as long
as another 10 to 15 years!
Global warming and the resultant coral bleaching is another
problem with no short term answer but with the potential to
destroy our reefs and livelihoods.
If tourists on the main do not enjoy their experience or if we
continue to lose our coral and coral fish, our members will not
survive and AMPTO will wither and die.
Competition by Other Destinations
Other destinations are competing for our traditional tourism
consumer. Destinations like Thailand and Indonesia continue to
expand their industry despite the perception of being unsafe and
the government travel warnings that are issued.
Both the above mentioned countries spend enormous government
funds on marketing their destinations.
The costs of operating in these countries are incredibly low in
comparison to QLD. Wages, taxes, vessel and infrastructure costs
are all much lower and therefore these destinations offer what
is promoted as the same product as the GBR at a much reduced
rate while maintaining better profits for the businesses
concerned.
Possible EMC Increases
The GBRMPA conducted a review of the EMC concessions in early
2004 and while no decision was announced prior to the federal
election, there is a strong possibility that an increase in the
EMC will occur.
Qualified Staff
The shortage of qualified staff and tradesmen is becoming acute.
Cairns has only two marine electricians. Diving instructors are
hard to get.
The next few years will see businesses simply not able to access
qualified staff or having to pay high, unsustainable rates to
poach them from other operators.
Reduced Business Class Airfares into the Whitsundays
Since Qantas stopped flying into Hamilton Island, all business
class seats to this destination have ceased. As the destination
has a high percentage of 5 Star travelers it is likely that
these people will not go to the Whitsundays and this will have a
serious flow on effect to the marine tourism industry.
FINANCIALS
Current Situation
The current financial situation of AMPTO is sound. In 2003 we
reported our first surplus ($37,844) in the history of the
company and in 2004 we achieved a $15,000 surplus. 2005 should
see a surplus of about $2,000 if income and expenditure match
the proposed budget.
The following table shows the comparisons over the last two
trading years and the projected figures for 2005. Please note
these figures exclude COTS expenditure.
Trading Table
Budget 2005
Membership income is the single most important source of income
and this continues to leave AMPTO in a difficult situation.
Should just one or two maximum fee paying companies not rejoin
AMPTO, the whole budget is thrown into disarray and a loss for
that year almost inevitable. The originally approved budget for
2004 included one additional full fee paying member and when
they did not re-join, it was only that other membership was up
that a loss was not incurred but our projected $20,000 plus
surplus was slashed.
Seasickness tablets could provide an important source of income
to AMPTO and we have commenced supplying them to our members
with a $0.40 markup on a twin tablet packet. We purchase them at
$1.10 plus GST and on sell at $1.50 plus GST. A full year should
see AMPTO gross a profit from them of around $15,000 to $20,000.
At the time of writing there is not reason to doubt that 2005
will continue in the same manner as the last two years but may,
if anything, be slightly better as we generate additional income
from sales.
Cash Flow
Cash flow is relatively simple for AMPTO. Membership income is
generated in the first three months with renewals and this
represents about 90% of our income. The remaining 10% is
generated throughout the year through cost recovery and new
membership.
Expenses are essentially evenly spaced throughout the year with
the single biggest expense being Management Fees and the second
biggest being Lobbying. In December we reach our lowest cash at
bank position but this is quickly rectified in January and
February with membership renewals. Historically some of our
members have been asked to pay their fees early to cover the end
of year shortfalls.
A cash flow table is provided below as an example of what it
might look like and is close to what has occurred in 2004.
Cash Flow Table
APPENDIXES
Membership Lists
Some businesses belong to more than one association.
AMPTO membership
BMD Constructions Cairns Dive Centre
Capricorn Star Cruises Captain Cook Cruises
CHARROA Club Med Lindeman Island
Coastal Fishing CO PTY LTD Coral Princess Cruises
Daydream Island Dive Queensland
Elizabeth E Coral Cruises Fantasea Cruises
Great Adventures & Green Island Resort Haba Dive
Hamilton Island Aviation Hamilton Island Enterprises
Kanimbla Charters Lady Elliot Island Holidays
Maxi Action (Jetstream & Ragamuffin) Michael Yeo
Mike Ball Dive Expeditions Northern Coast Charters
Oz Sail Cruising Yachts Passions of Paradise
Quicksilver Connections Reef Holidays - Ditchside Pty Ltd
IRES Remote Corporate Services Saunder Family Trust
SSI Australia Sunlover Cruises
Sunsail Trinity Marine Pty Ltd
Voyagers Mountain & Marine WBOA
WCBIA Windsor's Australia
36 Members including associations.
Dive QLD
Adrenalin Dive Allways Diving
Aristocat Reef Cruises B.C.C.S. Pty Ltd
Byron Bay Dive Centre Cairns Dive Centre
Cairns Diving Academy Cairns Scuba Air
Calypso Reef Charters Deep Sea Divers Den
Dive 7 Seas Dive Dive Dive
Diversion Dive Travel & Training Diversnet
Diving Plaza- World Plaza Explorer Ventures Australia
Fantasea Cruises Fitzroy Island dive & watersport
Frankland Island Dive Cruise & Dive Great Adventures & Green
Island Resort
Hostel Reef Trips Mantaray Charters
MCL Australia Mike Ball Dive Expeditions
Mission Beach Dive Neptune Scuba Center
Ocean Dive Australia Ocean Spirit Cruises/Dive
Oz Sail Cruising Yachts Passions of Paradise
Payne Industries t/a Holiday Pictures Powerdive International
ProDive Cairns Quick Cat Scuba Adventures
Quicksilver Connections Reef Dive Whitsundays
Reef Magic Cruises Reef Safari Dive
Rum Runner Dive and Sail S2 Dive
Salty's Dive Centre Santa Maria Yacht Cruises
Scuba World Scubapix
Seawalker Australia Pty Ltd SSI Australia
Sunlover Cruises Surfers Paradise Divers
Taka Dive Adventures Tallarook Sail & Dive Charters
The Woolshed Chargrill & Saloon Bar Tusa Dive Charters
Undersea Explorer
53 Members
CHARROA
Mike Ball Dive Expeditions
Taka II
Explorer Ventures
GRO Sea P/L
Undersea Explorer
Poseidon
Tusa Dive
Quicksilver Dive
Great Barrier Reef Cruises
Haba Dive
Enterprise Cruises
11 Members
WCBIA
Anaconda III
Aussie Adventure Sailing
Classic Sailing - Ileola & Ron Argyll
Fantasea Cruises
Illusions
Mantaray Charters
Maxi Action Maxi Ragamuffin
Ocean Rafting
Ozsail
Reef Safari
Schooner Friendship
Seasation
Southern Cross Sailing Adventures
13 Members
WBOA
Whitsunday Rent a Yacht
Charter Yachts Australia
Cumberland Charter Yachts
Queensland Yacht Charters
Sail Whitsunday
Whitsunday Charter Vacations
Whitsunday Escape
Whitsunday Private Yacht Charters
8 Members
Business Plan 2002
