MP says Botany cruise ship terminal would be a disaster
PLANS are 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.
Southern Courier
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PLANS are 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.
The Southern Courier has learned that 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.
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.
As well as Yarra Bay and Molineaux Point, two options are being considered at Garden Island as well as another two at unnamed locations.
Maroubra state Labor MP Michael Daley 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.”
After hearing of the plans he called on the NSW Government to release documents under Freedom of Information laws.
The Department of Industry admitted 140 documents relating to the plans existed but rejected the request, citing “cabinet in confident”.
Mr Daley has since referred the department to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
“The public has the right to know about the government’s secret plans,” he said.
“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.”
A Department of Industry spokesman said no decision had been made regarding a site for a proposed new cruise ship facility.
“Full public consultation, including consultation with local communities, will occur during the development assessment process for any new site,” he said.
He added that the Government’s long-term cruise industry strategy would be released later this year.
“AN ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER”
Marie Hogg
YARRA BAY Beach could be facing irreversible environmental damage if a major cruise terminal was built at in Botany Bay, Member for Maroubra Michael Daley has warned.
In a scathing attack on the State Government’s proposal, Mr Daley said the picturesque and unique location should be ruled out of the equation.
He said a cruise ship terminal could mean the concreting of Yarra Bay to provide space for a new passenger terminal, resulting in the destruction of the environment and loss of even more beach.
The potential dredging of large sections of Botany Bay to accommodate large cruise ships would also lead to more environmental devastation.
“This would be an environmental disaster for Yarra Bay, for Botany Bay and for what’s left of the beauty of the beaches around our side of the bay,” Mr Daley said.
“Yarra would become a concrete carpark.”
He said the popular fishing and sailing spot would disappear.
“You can forget about any future to Yarra Bay Sailing Club. They’d have to turn into Yarra Bay go carting club.
“It would be absolute mayhem for our area.
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