The Boating Industry Association Ltd (BIA), Code of Practice and the Environment.

The BIA Code of Practice shows a strong commitment to positive environmental practices. It states:

The Code demonstrates members concern for environmental issues. Recreational boating facilities and services are not in themselves a significant source of pollution.  Effective and practical management procedures will mitigate any harmful environmental effects.

BIA members will also encourage their customers/boat users to accept their responsibilities as set out in Part 7 of the Code.  Simple reminders, precautions and recommended practices have been combined into the Code which encourages recreational boaters to be environmentally responsible.  This information centres on boat operation, maintenance and preventative actions individuals can take to maintain clean-water and minimise the on-and near-shore impact of water based recreation.

Protecting the environment comes naturally to most boaters, because clean water is the foundation of enjoyable boating.  A common sense approach while boating is thought to be the most effective way to protect the aquatic environment.  A sixteen-point checklist in Part 7 serves as a quick reference to important environmental concerns.


The BIA commitment to the environment

The BIA is committed to achieving positive outcomes by applying the principles of continuous improvement and the precautionary principle. The BIA has been involved and developed a number of programmes and practices that support good environmental practices, both alone and in partnership with governments. They include:

• “Best Management Practice for Marinas and Boat Repair Facilities” - an EPA document.
• “Solutions to pollution for marinas, boatsheds and slipways”
• IPP (Towards Cleaner Production - Industry Partnership Program)
• Project Anchor - an industry initiative in the mid 1990s to look at impacts from boating facilities.
• “Pollution Reduction Programme”  - a paper from Prof Marcus Scammell looking at the recovery of the intertidal organisms following the banning of Tributyl Tin (TBT) in 1989, and future BIA programmes.
• Clean Marinas-Australia

The BIA importantly support concepts and practices that relate to ecologically sustainable development.


What is ecologically sustainable development (ESD)?

The following excerpts from the National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development explain some of the guiding principles of ESD.

Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) represents one of the greatest challenges facing Australia's governments, industry, business and community in the coming years. While there is no universally accepted definition of ESD, in 1990 the Commonwealth Government suggested the following definition for ESD in Australia:

"using, conserving and enhancing the community's resources so that ecological processes, on which life depends, are maintained, and the total quality of life, now and in the future, can be increased".

Put more simply, Ecologically Sustainable Development is development which aims to meet the needs of Australians today, while conserving our ecosystems for the benefit of future generations. To do this, we need to develop ways of using those environmental resources which form the basis of our economy in a way which maintains and, where possible, improves their range, variety and quality. At the same time we need to utilise those resources to develop industry and generate employment.

There are two main features which distinguish an ecologically sustainable approach to development:

• we need to consider, in an integrated way, the wider economic, social and environmental implications of our decisions and actions for Australia, the international community and the biosphere; and
  
• we need to take a long-term rather than short-term view when taking those decisions and actions.

By following an ecologically sustainable path of development, we should be able to reduce the likelihood of serious environmental impacts arising from our economic activity.


Business

Private enterprise in Australia has a critical role to play in supporting the concept of Ecologically Sustainable Development while taking decisions and actions which are aimed at helping to achieve the goal of this Strategy. Many have already been active participants in the ESD process, including taking significant individual steps to ensure that Australia's economy and production base are put on an ecologically sustainable footing.


Individuals

Embracing Ecologically Sustainable Development will ultimately rest on the ability of all Australians to contribute individually, through modifying everyday behaviour, and through the opportunities open to us to influence community practices.

For further information on Ecologically Sustainable Development, go to: www.deh.gov.au/esd/national/nsesd/strategy/intro.html#WIESD

For further information on any environmental issues contact Roy Privett Ph: 02 94382077  Fax: 02 94393983 Email: privett@bia.org.au

Do you need an environmental audit? If yes, contact Roy Privett privett@bia.org.au with your request and you will be provided with a competitive quote by an industry that understands your requirements.