Fees for the 2008-9 season have been revamped.
For some clubs fees will fall and, for others, they will increase. The previous fee structure, whilst being very simple, was unfair on many. For example, Geelong Juggernauts (who have their own training facilities and their own boats) paid the same as Dog Paddle (who used Shed 2 regularly and do not have their own boat). However, fees payable are still significantly lower than in any other state and this is because Victorian paddlers' fees have, for a very long time, been heavily supplemented by City of Melbourne and Parks Victoria sponsorships.
The new fee structure is as set out below.
1. Team Annual Registration Fee: $25 per person
Includes VDBA & AusDBF Season Registration
Provides the right to enter in DBV events and includes 2 team training sessions at Yarra or Docklands
2. Season Licence for Team to use Docklands Shed 2: $35 per person. Teams will need to execute and submit a Licence Agreement in the form available under the Latest News article entitled "Licence to Use Docklands Shed 2".
3. Season Licence for Team to use Yarra Compound: $25 per person
(and also includes the right to one session at Docklands prior to any event entered there)
4. Entry to Festival: $30 per person
5. Entry to first Other City Events: $25 per person
6. Entry to Regional Events: TBA under the "Events" tab on this website.
7. Corporate Identification per Event Entered: $400 per event.
In accordance with a long standing practice, only teams paying the relevant corporate fees may enter under a commercial or sponsors name or compete in events.
8. Boat Signage First Year (inc painting): $800
9. Boat signage Subsequent Years (assuming no re-painting): $400
The Licence arrangements referred to above are designed to support the 'user pays' ethos behind the new fee structure and to ensure that users of the facilities (especially Shed 2) understand what is required of them. Despite believing that all of that was made very clear last year, a series of unfortunate incidents took place involving the unlicensed sale of alcohol, improper use of the common area, team members opening up and using the facilities and boats for outside groups and the widespread dissemination of the access codes. The argument that 'we didn't know' will no longer be appropriate.
In addition, the 'user pays' system reflects the idea that teams do have options. For example, Geelong Juggernauts, the Navy, Martha Cove, Peninsula Dragon Flys, Ballarat and Albury have all acquired their own boats and have their own commercial arrangements for the storage of their boats and the use of club houses. This is all, of course, at a cost to them. Of the Melbourne teams, Melbourne Flames had a very successful arrangement for a long period of time with the Footscray Canoe Club and teams are, of course, very welcome to explore any such options as, to do so, can create a variety of benefits for members including a reduction of travel for those not able to easily commute to the city.
