Can anyone from WA explain the mooring/pens system there? I saw an article about a price hike by the WA govt. and I don't really understand how it works.

amp.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/boaters-are-voters-wa-s-marine-sector-fires-fee-hike-warning-shot-over-the-bow-20180718-p4zs6m.html

There are limited facilities in WA. I am a cruising yachtie and dont see the value in the $7000 nomination fee to apply for a berth at FSC I would only use maybe three months a year.
The times we've stayed in marinas here we've seen a lot of unused/unloved boats taking up space. More a recent indication of the poor economy. If some of these were moved on it would be the one positive from the rate increases.
The waitlists for berths for at government marinas are ridiculous.

I am currently on the waitlist for a mooring in Mangles Bay. The only reasonable anchorage within the metropolitan area. Moorings here are still being sold with mooring minders contrary to the new regs. I'm not that happy with Mangles Bay as minders and unloved boats regularly break their moorings but it's the only option available.

That being said we can usually get a "summer deal" at Mindarie or Mandurah for under $700 per month if they have an end berth. We are a 11.6m X 6.4m cat.