$50bn Botany Bay cruise ship island floated

A bold vision for an artificial island to become Sydney’s newest cruise terminal has been proposed, with the location also hosting super yachts and private jets. See where it could be built.

A bold vision for an artificial island to become a Sydney cruise terminal will be presented to the NSW government as the hunt for a new location of a third terminal gets under way.

The unsolicited private sector proposal from Global Innovation Corporation headed by architect William Shillingford is one of many ideas for the new terminal, and involves an ambitious 275ha man-made island within Botany Bay called Monterey Island.

The island would also host super yachts and private jets.

It comes after The Daily Telegraph revealed last month that the Minns government had formed a Cruising Industry advisory panel to find the best location for the new terminal. A third terminal would hope to capitalise on a record 2023-24 cruise season, which pumped more than $4.4bn into the state’s economy. The panel’s advice will be delivered to the government in coming months.

While the panel is in the midst of considering deepwater areas around Sydney Harbour, east of the Harbour Bridge, it is Port Kembla near Wollongong that is a likely contender.

An artist’s impression of the artificial island that has been proposed as a new cruise ship terminal at Botany Bay. Picture: Global Innovation Corporation

An artist’s impression of the artificial island. Picture: Global Innovation Corporation

Planning Minister and Wollongong MP Paul Scully said Port Kembla was the best location for the new terminal.

“I can’t think of a better location for a cruise terminal than in Port Kembla,” he said.

“A cruise ship terminal would be a welcome addition to the Wollongong visitor economy, provide tourism operators with a big boost and will support additional investment in accommodation in the region.”

Renders from an unsolicited proposal for a cruise and super yacht terminal at Botany Bay. Picture: Global Innovation Corporation

Yet the hunt for a third terminal has seen a flurry of interest from the private sector, with the Monterey Island proposal suggesting the creation of a hotel, retail and hospitality precinct around a terminal that would host both cruise ships and mega-yachts.

Mr Shillingford, who is drafting the proposal, estimated the project, to be presented to the government next year, would cost around $50bn and was privately funded.

“It would be Barangaroo on steroids,” he said.

Picture: Global Innovation Corporation

Former NSW government architect and director of the UNSW Cities Institute, Peter Poulet, said while the Monterey Island project was ambitious, it captured the need to make any future cruise terminal “an event in itself” with a vibrant hospitality scene.

“People can smell a Disneyland a mile off – if you make the terminal an authentic place that the locals love then the tourists will love it too,” he said.

“If the terminal ends up at Port Kembla, then it should feature what is interesting about the area – local produce and a local music scene.”

Garden Island off Sydney Harbour.

Port Kembla in the Illawarra.

Yet despite discussions around Botany Bay or Port Kembla, many cruising stakeholders believe Garden Island off Potts Point in Sydney Harbour is the best location for a third terminal.

Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolaou has consistently said Garden Island is in a prime location, giving international visitors the “Sydney Harbour experience”.

“You only have to be at Circular Quay to know that a big ship call is an event in its own right” he said.

“Our international visitors typically spend days in Sydney before and after their cruise and that is great for our tourism ecosystem.”

Transport Minister Jo Haylen has ruled out Garden Island due to it being a key defence precinct and owned by the Royal Australian Navy.

One of the ideas being investigated is “ship stacking”, allowing multiple cruise liners to dock at the two existing terminals on the same day.

Manly parents Kim Smee and Bo McHenery and their two boys Daniel, 7, and Elijah, 2, said having a holiday where the kids were looked after was the big draw of cruising.

“The idea of there being so many options for the kids to be entertained is something we’re really excited about,” she said.

Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]