Monterey Island cruise terminal labelled ‘ludicrous’ after series of Botany Bay project failures

A bold vision for an artificial island to become Sydney’s elusive third cruise terminal has been labelled ‘a brain fart of an idea’ following a series of shipwrecked projects at the same site.

A series of destination projects have run aground in Botany Bay. Picture: St George Shire Leader.

A bold vision for an artificial island to become Sydney’s elusive third cruise terminal has been preceded by a string of destination projects ending up dead in the water, according to a local mayor and lobby group.

Randwick City Council Mayor Dylan Parker said he would be “shocked to see a cruise terminal in Botany Bay” in his lifetime, given the failure of far less expensive or ambitious plans in the area during the last 20 years.

“When I first saw the unsolicited proposal from the overseas entity I thought it was pie in the sky and never going to happen. It’s ludicrous to the extreme and laughable,” Mr Parker said.

“Given the history of failed projects in Botany Bay, the community’s clear sentiment and the government’s commitment not to proceed (with a cruise terminal) in Yarra Bay, I think its chances of ever getting off the ground are less than zero, and should be less than zero.”

The comments comes after the Minns Government received an unsolicited private sector proposal earlier this month from the Global Innovation Corporation, headed by architect William Shillingford, for an ambitious 275ha man-made island within Botany Bay called ‘Monterey Island’.

Renders from the unsolicited proposal for a cruise and super yacht terminal at Botany Bay. Picture: Global Innovation Corporation

Monterey Island was billed as a cruise and mega-yacht destination. Picture: Global Innovation Corporation

The proposal is the latest pitch put forward in the hunt for a third terminal after Transport Minister Jo Haylen formed a Cruising Industry Advisory Panel to find an ideal location following a record 2023-24 cruise season.

Save Yarra Bay Coalition spokesperson Maria Poulos, who successfully campaigned against a third cruise terminal in the area in 2018, called for transparency about the full location-list before the 10-person panel – which is made up of foreign cruiseliner executives, industry bodies, and the head of NSW Ports.

“Monterey Island could be a white elephant, it’s ridiculous,” Ms Poulos said.

“It’s a way for the cruise industry to soften (opposition to a third terminal) because the idea is so outlandish. When they come back with a modest proposal [people will just be relieved] they’re not doing Disneyland.

“Someone is knocking on the government’s door … We just need a few answers and clarity about what is actually being considered.”

Ms Poulos labelled artists’ impressions of the $50bn Monterey Island proposal a “brain fart of an idea,” given the number of projects which have run aground in Botany Bay in the past.

Artists impression of “Destination Rockdale” featuring “The Crystal" exhibition centre and 330-berth marina.

The first shipwrecked idea came in 2005 when then Rockdale City mayor John Flowers raised plans for an $80m “Destination Rockdale” proposal, centred around a 650m Brighton-Le-Sands Pier Project.

The ambitious proposal was in the works for two years and envisioned a 330-berth marina, two pools, dining and entertainment precinct, and seven-story exhibition centre called “The Crystal” located hundreds of metres offshore in the heart of Botany Bay.

Despite being featured as the council’s “overarching vision” for the area in its 2008-11 management plan, the proposal failed to attract expressions of interest and was eventually dumped amid the 2009 economic downturn.

About a decade after the vision was first floated, support for the idea was revived when a motion was put forward to explore options for a marina and pier project in Brighton-Le-Sands in 2015.

The “Brighton Riviera” proposal sought to transform the suburb into a European-inspired destination. Picture: St George Shire Leader

Light rail loop proposed as part of the Brighton Riviera project in 2015. Picture: Urban Taskforce

Brighton Riviera plans to build up the Grand Parade. Picture: Urban Taskforce

Developer lobby group Urban Taskforce unveiled plans to transform the suburb into a “Brighton Riviera” seaside boulevard with apartment blocks, swimming pools, piers and a light-rail loop – inspired by riviera regions across Europe.

Rockdale City Council resolved the costs of advancing the project be shouldered by the NSW Government, but plans for a council delegation to meet with government departments to gauge interest in the project floundered.

Requests to extend the Kamay Ferry Wharf project to include wharves at Brighton-Le-Sands and San Souci were not accepted. Picture: NSW Government

Then in 2020, the destination idea went overboard again when an amalgamated Bayside Council requested the $16m Kamay Ferry Wharf Project to connect Kurnell to La Perouse be extended to include wharves at Brighton-Le-Sands and Sans Souci.

At the time, NSW Transport said they had no plans to extend the scope of the project.

It is understood the cruise panel will provide its advice to the government later this year on the best terminal location, with Port Kembla in Wollongong a likely contender.