Australian Marinas Set High Environmental Standard   

30 July 2010

Marinas across Australia and the Asia/Pacific region now have a new environmental standard. The first marinas in the region to achieve this new environmental benchmark are all South Australian marinas. They are Cape Jaffa Anchorage, Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia and The Marina Hindmarsh Island.

The Hon. Pat Conlon, SA Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Energy presented the three marinas with their accreditation at the Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia on Wednesday 28 July. The function was attended by 50 industry and government representatives.

Called Level 4 ISO 14001 Clean Marinas, the three marinas are recognised for achieving the world standard for environmental management systems. Level 4 Clean Marinas build on levels 1 – 3 within the Clean Marinas program. The program was established in 2002 by the Marina Industries Association of Australia (MIAA) with the objective of protecting the nation’s coastal and in-land waterways.

Level 3 Clean Marinas are independently audited using a 143 point criteria that assesses environmental facilities, practices and procedures.  Currently there are 46 marinas at this level with many more marinas coming though the program. By building level 4 into the Clean Marinas program MIAA is demonstrating industry’s capacity for environmental leadership. It is keeping ahead of community expectations and government regulation. Level 4 ISO Clean Marinas are audited annually and subject to a rigorous assessment of environmental management processes and practices.    

MIAA President Andrew Chapman said the creation of the 4th level of Clean Marinas provides marina businesses with a practical environmental accreditation pathway. “Well managed club and commercial marinas recognize the importance of providing environmental leadership. For millions of people, marinas are the gateway to our marine environment. Therefore it is essential that industry is continually improving its environmental management. MIAA’s Clean Marinas program provides the vehicle for continual improvement and a means for marina users to identify marinas that set high environmental standards.”

Further details on Clean Marinas can be found at www.marinas.net.au

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