‘Move Navy to Glebe Island to save Botany Bay’

THE NSW Government’s “dreadful” plan to build a cruise terminal in Botany Bay can be avoided by leasing space at Garden Island from the Navy, an MP has said.

Many of the larger cruise ships cannot go west of the Harbour Bridge. Picture: James Morgan

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THE NSW Government’s “dreadful” plan to build a cruise terminal in Botany Bay can be avoided by leasing space at Garden Island from the Navy, an MP has said.

Heffron state Labor MP Ron Hoenig said Navy ships could transfer to Glebe Island berths during the summer to allow cruise ships to dock at Garden Island.

Many of the taller cruise ships can’t fit under the Harbour Bridge so would need to dock to the east of the structure, he said.

Ron Hoenig MP has said cruise ships should use the Navy’s berths at Garden Island. Picture: Danny Aarons.

“The Liberals’ dreadful plan to bring cruise ships to Botany Bay is a joke. Apart from just putting thousands more cars and trucks on our crippled road network, where are these tens of thousands of tourist going to go?

“We need access to Garden Island for the larger cruise ships that cannot fit under Sydney Harbour Bridge, to capture valuable economic activity in Sydney.”

The estimated cost — $143 million was much less than that of a new Botany terminal, he said.

A Commonwealth Government report details the options, including the proposed leasing of berths at Garden Island.

“This option involves leasing 650 metres of wharf space ... specifically for priority cruise ship use, and for periods initially ranging from three months (i.e. December through February), but

with scope to be extended as cruise ship demand increases,” the report states.

The Navy has been at Garden Island since the 1800s. Picture: Jenny Evans.

“To offset the loss of Fleet Base Berths 2-5 for at least three months during Navy’s peak demand period, and potentially for up to seven months in the longer term, Defence would be fully compensated for the additional costs involved, including transfer of the 467 metres at Glebe Island Berths 1 and 2.

“This option envisages infrastructure enhancement at the Glebe Island site to ensure the conduct of Navy’s raise, train, sustain and operational activity at the same level as Garden Island.”

The Southern Courier revealed last month that plans were being drawn up for a cruise terminal at Botany Bay.

The State Government is considering three options in the bay in a bid to ease the pressure on Sydney Harbour.

Yarra Bay and Molineaux Point are being considered as long-term solutions as well as an empty container bay at Port Botany as a short-term fix.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull with French President Emmanuel Macron at Garden Island earlier this month. Photo: Brendan Esposito.

Last year the State Government formed the Cruise Industry Reference Group to advise the Cabinet on meeting the demand for cruise ships arriving in Sydney. The group worked with experts to whittle down a big list to leave six long-term solutions — as well as the short-term fix at Port Botany.

Maroubra state Labor MP Michael Daley has been battling the Government to release more details about the plans.

Michael Daley MP has said he will stand in the way of bulldozers to prevent the building of a new terminal at Port Botany. Picture: Damian Shaw.

He said a cruise terminal at Port Botany would be disastrous.

“Thousands of passengers embarking each and every day from massive ships is the last thing we need,” he said.

“I can’t even begin to imagine the congestion and noise nightmare.”

“The public has the right to know about the government’s secret plans.

“Our community is willing to lie in front of the bulldozers to protect our area and you know what, I’ll be right there with them.”

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