Bradfield Oration: Proposal to open Garden Island to cruise ships

Premier Dominic Perrottet wants talks about allowing cruise ships to use Garden Island, saying “controversial discussions” can take Sydney to “new heights”.

There should be a “discussion” about allowing cruise ships to use Garden Island, Premier Dominic Perrottet says.

Mr Perrottet said that The Daily Telegraph’s Bradfield oration will spark “controversial discussions” that can take Sydney to “new heights”.

“This is certainly one that’s been around for a while,” he said of the discussion to allow mixed navy and cruise ship use at Garden Island.

“I think these are the types of debates that we must have.

“Having policy discussions like this, which many people will have different views on, is a very positive thing because we won’t get anything done and take our city to new heights If we don’t open up the controversial discussions,” he said.

Meanwhile, a single authority or commissioner with control of Sydney Harbour and the reallocation of Garden ­Island for mixed navy and cruise ship use are the keys to the city’s Covid recovery.. it’s been suggested.

Bradfield board member Ann Sherry said opening Garden Island to cruise liners would pump badly needed tourist dollars back into the city.

“Sydney has a list of unfinished business — opportunities that still exist for really bringing the visitor experience to life in Sydney,” she said. “Bringing the bigger cruise ships into Sydney is part of that and Garden Island is a key factor.”

Other dormant opportunities for the city include unused islands in the harbour, lack of development at White Bay and the sprawling Callan Park former psychiatric hospital.

Ms Sherry, the former chair of Carnival Cruise Line, said the Royal Australian Navy had full use of Garden Island and “does not want to share”. Defence has previously ruled out allowing cruise ships to use its berths.

“But now the Navy is looking at where it needs to redeploy its fleet and that opens the way for cruise ships,” said Ms Sherry, who is also chair of the Port of Townsville.

“Townsville port is open for commercial and navy use and operates under one authority while Sydney has too many organisations that all have a say.”

Instead, she said, Sydney would benefit from the entire harbour “under one auspice”.

Before Covid closed it down the cruise industry was worth $5.2 billion a year and brought thousands of tourists into the heart of the city. Once big ships return suitable berths are expected to again become an issue.

Bradfield board member Ann Sherry says too many people have a say over Sydney Harbour’s ports. Picture: Jonathan Ng

An aerial shot of Sydney Harbour.

Next month pub baron Stuart Laundy will reopen the ground floor of the Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel after a $12 million renovation and would love to see cruise ship pass­engers coming from Garden Island.

“I think it is a terrific idea, we have got to get the world going again,” he said. “If the cruise ships and navy can both live ­together it makes perfect sense to me.”

Mr Laundy said the restaurants and bars on the finger wharf offered tourists the perfect gate way to Sydney.

“We are opening a rooftop bar in February that will showcase this magnificent harbour of ours,” he said. “It is 101 logic that we do everything we can to get moving again.”

There are calls to bring Sydney Harbour and its surrounds under a more central control. Picture: AAP Image

A report into a proposed­ ­alternative $500 million cruise terminal at Yarra Bay, which is fiercely opposed by locals and the industry, has been put on hold until cruise ships return. Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt this week said as single vaccination rates neared 90 per cent health officials were reviewing the order under the Biosecurity Act that banned international cruise ships from Australian waters.

“I expect to be able to make a decision on cruise ships in the coming weeks once we’ve got the medical information but it will require at least one state or territory to partner on that,” he said.

There is resistance to cruise ships using Garden Island as a berth.

Naval ships like this one are moored at Garden Island. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

But NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the cruise industry needed Commonwealth clearance before ships could re-enter Sydney Harbour.

“The cruise industry is a very important segment of the travel market and we look forward to the greatest harbour in the world being able to welcome ships from around the world once again when it is safe to do so,” he said.

Former Liberal leader and Navy Reserve Captain Peter Collins headed an inquiry four years ago that recommended Navy and cruise ships share Garden Island.

His report was dismissed by then Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull who said: “Garden Island is a naval base and has been for about 150 years and will remain so.”

Mr Collins said Mr Turnbull had not even seen the ­report, the full detail of which has never been released.

“It is sitting there ready to be dusted off,” he said.

Former state Liberal leader and Navy Reserve captain Peter Collins.

“Whether it is in two years time or 20 years time that will end up being the solution.”

Mr Collins said the changing focus on China meant “it is not a surprise to see the Australian Defence Force looking at our northern approaches”.

Moving part of the fleet to Darwin would also free up berths at Garden Island.

Up until the 1980s the Navy berthed its fleet on the western side of the Island ­before moving them to the eastern side. The NSW Government owns 43,000 square metres of that prime harbour frontage from Harry’s Cafe de Wheels to Wylde St leading up to HMAS Kuttabul which it ­leases to the Navy for a peppercorn rent of under $500,000 a year.

Mr Collins said there was no reason why cruise ships could not use the NSW Government owned berths and the Navy use the other side of the island.