Australian cruise ship operators are braced for a bruising debate in the NSW Parliament after a 10,000-signature petition was presented opposing the expansion of Port Botany to accommodate large liners.
Protesters are determined to turn the Port Botany issue into a political debate during the upcoming state election next year, and want the Berejiklian Government to back down on its commitment to explore a Port Botany solution to Sydney Harbour’s crippling lack of capacity.
So far, around 10,000 people have signed a petition against the development at Port Botany and Parliament will debate the plans on November 21 at 10am.
Members of the Save the Bay Coalition say they will hold a rally outside Parliament at 9am on the day.
Labor leader and Maroubra MP Michael Daley will be leading the charge against government’s plan to use Port Botany when earlier this year, the federal government ruled out the Navy’s Garden Island as an option for Sydney’s second cruise terminal.
“Our community has spoken loud and clear — we do not want a massive cruise terminal in Yarra Bay,” Mr Daley MP said.
“I’ve never seen a local petition receive such a strong response. This is an unequivocal message from locals that this cruise ship proposal is dead on arrival.
“Thanks to the hard work of our community, Ron Hoenig, the member for Heffron and I have forced a debate in the Parliament.”
Earlier this week, tourism leaders called on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to back the cruise industry by giving ships access to the Garden Island.
Earlier this year, the federal government, under former Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, ruled out the use of Garden Island as Sydney’s second port east of the bridge.
Garden Island is one of the hottest topics in the cruise industry, as Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal which caters to mega cruise ships over 51 metres, is nearly at capacity.
While White Bay in Rozelle is able to cater for smaller boutique and luxury ships, the larger ships are unable to fit under the Harbour Bridge.
The cruise industry injects a staggering $1.6 billion into the NSW economy each year, the Mr Morrison has indicated he would not be changing the government’s position and keep Garden Island exclusively for the Navy.
Peter Collins, the former leader of the NSW Liberals and a decorated Navy captain told The Daily Telegraph that he had advised the state government earlier this year on how to address the capacity issue.
“Garden Island is the solution,” Mr Collins said.
“A shared facility with the Navy is entirely do-able. The one person who should be able to understand this better than any of us is Prime Minister Scott Morrison.”
Margy Osmond, the Tourism & Transport Forum chief executive said the sector will continue to fight for the prized site.
“Sydney Harbour and Garden Island is still the best solution,” Ms Osmond said.
“For ships coming to Sydney the money shot is the Harbour — it’s our crowning glory.”
She called on Mr Morrison to show initiative.
“It’s an ideal opportunity for a Prime Minister who has a very significant tourism background to step in and find a collaborative solution around Garden Island,” Ms Osmond said.
“We need someone in federal government to take leadership and understand the value of the industry.”
Mr Morrison has refused to comment while Defence has not outlined why they are unable to share Garden Island with the cruise industry.
Botany Bay. Power Stations, oil refineries,. Oil Storage, massive container terminal,. Airport runways. Total development of the bay on the Northside except for one small beach remaining. We don’t want more dredging, breakwalls and ports. I don’t even know why you all want the bloody tourists. Save (salvage) what you have left Sydney folks!!
What about Newcastle We were supposed to have a purpose built terminal by 2019 and the gov and council still haven’t got it started
Where exactly do they want the Navy to go? Shared means guaranteed access and when the whole fleet is in that is not supportable.
This is why Sydney does not have high speed trains, 24hr airports, big super motorways because the Politicians take notice of Greenies and anyone that gets a group together. It’s about time politicians got balls and stop listening to wingers and minorities and do what they are paid to do.
I wonder how many of the signatures are from cruisers I guess at least Australians are consistent on being against progres plus jobs being created plus big revenue for the state the age old thing. It’s ok as long as it’s not in my backyard
What is required is both Sate and Federal leaders to show they have the balls to make a decision that enhances the growth of the cruise industry within Sydney Harbour, or at worst Yarra Bay. NSW , Not to exhibit our wonderful City at its best is a disgrace. Forget the minority, they have been running this country of late and it has to stop.
For most cruise passengers the important point for embarkation is car parking and drop off spaces. Yes Sydney harbour is a money shot, but very few cruise itineraries actually dock in iconic cities. I think Rome’s port is 70km away, generally on a cruise you are off loaded in the middle of an industrial/transport hub (aka, the port).
If they don’t choose Botany Bay, the next option is Wollongong! Or Brisbane and Melbourne
The cruise industry should stump up to buy back woolllomooloo wharf. That would be the crowning glory.
They just want the cheap option, to be paid for by the public/taxpayers.