Boat owners harbour doubt over the future

Alex de Vos
Boat owners fear the developer of Queenscliff Harbour is trying to squeeze them out of their berths for higher returns.
Berth holder Jeffrey Jones said ARC Marina Management had sent out a new lease agreement with “a lot of triggers to get us out”.
A wary Queenscliff Couta Boat Association has told ARC to take its lease back to the drawing board.
The new lease agreement follows State Government and Borough of Queenscliffe sending berth holders a letter in 2004 saying rates would remain fixed for five years.
But Mr Jones said the new lease agreement did not mention the rates moratorium.
The lease said rates would “be capped at no greater than the current licence fees plus an increase”.
Mr Jones said ARC had threatened to take berths away if holders did not sign the agreement.
“They said our rates were safe for five years but now they’re trying to get rid of us to make room for new owners who they can charge six times the current berth rate.”
Mr Jones said ARC had sent the agreement to berth owners before the company had a green light from State Govern-ment
“I spoke to Parks (Victoria) and the agreement for the developers to take control over the harbour has not even been signed,” he said.
Queenscliff Couta Boat Association secretary Carmen Bell was concerned about “incorrect wording” in the developer’s agreement.
“There were some clauses in the termination area that were clearly inappropriate, like if your berth becomes unusable the agreement can be terminated,” Ms Bell said.
“That’s obviously not the case.
“Many of us have decided we’re not going to sign it until it’s correct.
“This agreement has gone off the rails and it was a document that was rushed.”
However, an ARC Marina Management spokesperson said the berth holders had nothing to worry about.
“The existing berth owners are under a moratorium,” the spokesperson said.
“There will absolutely be no increase in rates over the next five years.
“We will be holding an information session to clarify any misunderstanding.”