‘We must embrace cruise ships in Botany Bay’
WE must embrace the idea of a Botany Bay cruise terminal or Sydney will lose out on millions of dollars a year to rival cities Brisbane and Melbourne, a prominent business leader has warned.
Southern Courier
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WE must embrace the idea of a Botany Bay cruise terminal or Sydney will lose out on millions of dollars a year to rival cities Brisbane and Melbourne, a prominent business leader has warned.
Patricia Forsythe, executive director of the Sydney Business Chamber, said other state capital were ready to take Sydney’s cruise ships if we were unable to accommodate them.
The State Government is considering three proposals for a terminal in Botany Bay among seven short-listed to ease the pressure on Sydney Harbour.
Ms Forsythe said we must commit to feasibility and environmental studies of the Botany Bay options as the other favoured proposal — sharing with the navy at Garden Island — was unlikely to materialise.
“I don’t get the inherent opposition before exploration,” the former Liberal MLC said.
“The opposition at the mere mention of Botany was disappointing. Nothing would ever happen if we have that attitude.
“Melbourne and Brisbane are reaching out to the cruising sector so we have to be careful here. I think the likelihood of using Garden Island is limited so we have to look at Botany.”
She said a terminal would bring jobs and boost the area, as had happened at White Bay near Balmain.
“There was a lot of opposition at the time for that but the cafes and local businesses are seeing a huge benefit when the ships are in.”
Discussing the area’s future prosperity more widely, she said it was vital to protect and enhance both the port and airport.
“They are vital not only for Sydney but NSW and Australia as a whole. It can’t be overstated how much they need to be protected.”
Ms Forsythe said the biggest threat was the loss of industrial land around both the port and airport — echoing the views of NSW Ports chief executive Marika Calfas and eastern city district commissioner Maria Atkinson.
She played down fears the airport would suffer once the one at Badgerys Creek Creek is built. “We shouldn’t be worried. Sydney will be able to sustain two airports. The airport is greatly valued by airlines given its proximity to the city.”
Ms Forsythe also said the wait for the light rail would be worth it, describing it as a “great economic driver” which would benefit the whole area.
“I think the area is succeeding and as long as the airport and port are protected it will continue to do so,” she said.