Fears Yarra Bay cruise terminal moving ahead as CEO reveals findings
The Port Authority of NSW boss has revealed that a cruise terminal at Yarra Bay for mega cruise ships would be “technically” feasible and that a large cruise organisation wanted the terminal to “happen quickly”.
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The Port Authority of NSW boss has revealed that a cruise terminal at Yarra Bay for mega cruise ships would be “technically” feasible and that a process has begun to gain feedback from large cruise organisations — one of which he claims wants the terminal to “happen quickly” and was willing to financially back it.
The NSW Government announced in July 2018 that it was considering building a cruise terminal at Yarra Bay which neighbours the industrial area at Port Botany.
Garden Island was the initial choice for a third terminal in Sydney to help cater for the booming cruise industry during peak season, but it was ruled out because of concerns it would interfere with the navy which occupies that space.
The Port Authority of NSW has since been tasked with completing a business case looking at the feasibility of a cruise terminal at Yarra Bay or nearby Molineaux Point.
Until last week, information around the business case had been kept under wraps.
However, Port Authority of NSW chief executive Grant Gilfillan spoke in front of a NSW Legislative Council committee inquiry last Friday and was questioned about where it was at with the business case.
“We are at a point where we have determined that technically it is feasible to build a facility down in the (Yarra Bay) area,” he said.
“The next logical phase is to see whether, if that was progressed further in detail, would the cruise industry be interested in using it?”
As a result, he confirmed talks had begun with leading cruise organisations Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian.
Mr Gilfillan said that Royal Caribbean had expressed it would be willing to financially back a new terminal at Yarra Bay.
“(Royal Caribbean) wants it to happen quickly,” he claimed. “It is prepared to contribute money if there is an appropriate mechanism to do that.”
Maroubra state Labor MP Michael Daley claimed that these new revelations highlighted the NSW Government was “full steam ahead” with plans to build the cruise ship terminal, already speaking to large cruise organisations.
“In typical fashion, we’ve seen the Liberal Government sit down with the big players from industry to carve up public lands and they haven’t even extended the courtesy of talking to our community yet.”
A Port Authority of NSW spokeswoman said that initial discussions had shown there was still interest from the industry to pursue the terminal, but there was still a lot to do as part of a comprehensive business case.
“As a next step, consultation will take place with stakeholders and community,” she said.
“Initial feasibility studies have been done but further work continues including around traffic and transport, environmental and heritage impacts, planning, engineering and maritime feasibility.”
She did not disclose a time frame around when the business case would be completed.
Last week, Randwick Council decided to fund a $50,000 study looking at damaging effects the proposed terminal could potentially have on the environment and surrounding community at Yarra Bay.
The council as well as many community members, including the Save the Bay Coalition, have been strongly opposed to the proposal since it was put forward.
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