Increases to boat registration fees will help provide better facilities for Western Australian boat owners.

Transport Minister Simon O'Brien said increased registration fees were necessary to meet the growing demand for new facilities.

“The number of registered recreational vessels in WA increased by 24.6 per cent to more than 90,000 in the past five years,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Pressure for new facilities will continue to rise with current projections showing there will be a near doubling of boat registrations by 2025.

“Boat owners will be required to make a bigger contribution to the maintenance and construction of facilities through a staged increase in registration fees for all recreational vessels."

The staged implementation of increased registration fees for recreational vessels will see the cost of registering a vessel under five metres increase by $12.70 in 2009-10.

In addition, the recording fee, which applies for all new registrations, transfers of registration and late payments will increase by $10.40 in 2009-10.

The Minister said the majority (nearly 60 per cent) of registered recreational boat owners in WA had a vessel under five metres.

Mr O’Brien said registration fees for bigger vessels had increased at a greater rate, reflecting the high costs associated with providing facilities for large craft.

“There have been minimal increases in fees and charges for boat owners in the past decade meaning the recreational activity has been subsidised by the broader community,” he said.

“The move towards a user-pays system will ensure increased revenue to directly fund much needed infrastructure projects such as the provision of new and improved boat launching ramps, installation of navigation aids and continued promotion of boating safety in WA.”

The Minister said there had also been a review of pen fees at State-managed metropolitan boat harbours to reflect current market rates.

For more information about the increases in fees and charges go to http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/imarine or contact the department on 9216 8966.