Victor Harbor Council to consider $11m boating infrastructure plan to bring cruise ships to the Fleurieu Peninsula

Allowing cruise ships to dock at Victor Harbor would bring up to $118m into the state - but there could also be “significant” environmental impact.

A new boat landing area welcoming cruise ships would provide a $118 million boost to the state’s economy over two decades, a study has found.

That includes $96 million for the Fleurieu Peninsula.

But the facility – which is yet to win Victor Harbor Council’s backing – also brings major environmental challenges.

Victor Harbor Council has completed a business case for new boat landing infrastructure at Eastern Beach, near Bridge Terrace, finding it would cost about $10.8 million to build, and as least $1.1 million to operate each year.

Victor Harbor Council is considering a business case for a $10.8 million boat landing facility. Supplied by Leedwell

The proposal includes breakwaters to its north and south extending up to 150m from the shore, floating pontoons for tender boat mooring, a boat ramp and parking area.

Up to 120 full time equivalent jobs would be created by the project, including 49 in Victor Harbor.

The council has long been discussing the need for better infrastructure to cater for commercial and recreational boaties.

Mayor Moira Jenkins at the causeway. Picture: Tom Huntley

Under the proposal, the new infrastructure would also cater for them as well as cruise ships and sea rescue operators, and succeeds a previous idea of building a new facility at Granite Island.

Tourism industry stakeholders preferred passengers to disembark directly onto the mainland.

Victor Harbor Council is expected to consider the business case next month before deciding whether to approach the State Government about the proposal, which would also need funding from other sources.

Victor Harbor Council Mayor Moira Jenkins said the council had been discussing the need for new boating infrastructure for “many, many, years”, and most recently its progression had been stalled by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This is a hugely expensive venture and it’s got its challenges,” she said.

“We need to take a really close look at it in terms of whether we go ahead with it, whether we need the support of regional partners, and whether it’s viable given the environmental concerns.

“It’s really important we get this right because it’s such a big project.”

An artist's impression of the new Granite Island causeway, which is under construction at Victor Harbor.

The business case said when the pandemic’s restrictions are lifted, the cruising industry was expected to quickly bounce back, with sales for future cruises “exceeding expectations”.

“While visits are greatest for the major ports, smaller regional ports have experienced the most rapid rate of growth over recent years and are predicted to continue a strong growth trend into the future,” it said.

The document said there was demand for cruise ship infrastructure that could position Victor Harbor as a priority regional port.

Mother and calf southern right whales near the Victor Harbor Causeway. Picture: Lea Brooks

Coral Expedition and True North ships would make the earliest use of new infrastructure, but in future, cruise lines such as P&O might call there.

Historical reports found there could be “significant environmental impact” from the infrastructure, such as seagrass loss, effects on sand movement and erosion.

The business case said the development may be required to prove southern right whales would not be significantly affected, because the site, within the Encounter Marine Park, is in a whale aggregation area.

“The proposal will comprise significant land reclamation and dredging, which will require adequate justification as to the need for the facility,” the business case said.

It was likely to result in sand and dead seagrass accumulating, which could smell and require maintenance.

It would cost about $250,000 to complete additional impact assessments for the project, focusing on areas including sand movement, the sea bed’s condition, dredging requirements, native vegetation and Aboriginal heritage.

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