Jetty owners put case to Minister

Long jetty owners on the Peninsula could be paying for only 20 square metres of jetty area rather than the entire jetty if a proposal was put forward to Minister Mr Duncan Gay by the Waterfront Action Group is successful.

The Minister has indicated that he is in discussion with IPART about possible changes to the terms of reference on the issue, according to the Waterfront Action Group chairman Mr George Citer.

"Jetty owners on the Peninsula have been massively over-charged, and stand to benefit substantially from what the action group is doing," said Mr Citer.

Daleys Point member Mr Graham Forster said rental rates for jetty owners were based on 12-year-old data.

"The rental rates are still based on data that was not fit for purpose and led to an approximate 67 per cent overcharge even if everything else was correct (which it wasn't).

"The failure to update the rates of return has led to further overcharging - the rates of return are still based on an average of 1994 to 2003," said Mr Forster.

He said jetty owners on the Peninsula are particularly affected as many of the jetties are longer due to shallow water.

"The system is based on the number of square metres occupied and therefore in areas of shallow water and long distances to navigable water, the rent is increased, but a short jetty in deep water only achieves the same utility as a long jetty in shallow water - they both provide access to navigable water," he said.

"In recognition of this, the action group has proposed that only 20 square metres of jetty area be included in the rent calculation.

"Therefore, if an occupancy holder had a one metre wide jetty which was 80 metres long he would be charged for 20 square metres and not 80 square metres," said Mr Forster.

The Waterfront Action Group urged the Minister to seek an urgent rent reduction from IPART.

He instructed NSW Maritime that there were to be no further rent increases until after the Government had considered the IPART recommendations, he said.

"There is no doubt that the tide has turned and about 8500 wetland rent payers in NSW can look forward to being treated more fairly by Minister Duncan Gay and by the current government," said Mr Citer.

"The Minister has indicated that he is prepared to take the group's views into account, when making future decisions.

"This is a very different situation to the attitude displayed under the previous government," he said.

Media Release, 15 Aug 2011 George Citer, WAG Email, 19 Aug 2011 Graham Forster, Daleys Point