Another blow to Sydney’s second cruise terminal

by Peter Lynch

Sydney cruise ship terminal

The cruise industry’s attempts to persuade the state government to start the long journey towards a second terminal at Botany Bay received another set back this week when Bayside Council passed a motion restating its strong opposition to the project.

Australia’s cruise growth figures have suffered for two years running because NSW Ports have only capacity for one ship at the Overseas Passenger Terminal and two ships at White Bay.
In the coming cruise season, many lines like Princess Cruises have put a record number of ships at ports around the country to try and offset the capacity issues in New South Wales.

The NSW State Government is considering Yarra Bay or Molineux Point, on the northern side of Botany Bay. Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull ruled out Garden Island, despite increased capacity for Sydney being a priority infrastructure project.

Last week’s Bayside Council meeting supported a Notice of Motion put forward by Councillors Scott Morrissey and Christina Curry that the council strongly opposes a new passenger cruise-ship terminal in the area.

Local concerns include traffic congestion, environmental destruction, loss of open green space and flow-on land-use pressures. Local people are also worried about dredging causing erosion to local beaches.

The state government needs to start the process of testing the environmental impact, as well as consulting with local groups soon if it is to use Port Botany as an alternative. The Labor Party has stated it is opposing any plans to site a new cruise development in the area.

It is believed the state government is also looking at ways to increase capacity in Sydney Harbour.

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5 thoughts on “Another blow to Sydney’s second cruise terminal”

  1. At last Melbourne is getting a bigger variety cruises and cruise lines departing from Station Pier where there are no problems berthing two or three ships at the one time, with the Tasmanian ferry being the only ship to berth year round. Unfortunately the cruise season for Melbourne is fairly short and in the winter months when many wish to escape to warmer climes a tedious journey with the added expense of getting Sydney or Brisbane is required. Here’s hoping in the future there will be a few cruises departing Melbourne in the cooler seasons.

  2. Good to see that Princess is putting ships homeporting around other areas of Australia. Why should everyone have to travel to Sydney to start their holidays involving extra time and expence. Dont tell me that we can trust the airlines to get us to our destination on time.

  3. Still on the subject of graturaties, They keep saying that the staff work hard to give you a great cruise experience, That’s what they sign up for and knowing the pay rate. Tips are extra for good work. People forget that passenger have already paid thousands of dollars for the services onboard the cruise, Plus don’t forget the 15% surcharge on beverage. Cruise lines buy beverage at wholesale prices, Mark it up to restaurant prices plus add the 15% surcharge on top, How’s being ripped off.

  4. We need to look a new cruise port in Sydney. As the ship are getting bigger and can not get under the bridge. Like next year P&O has it’s new ship Adventure (Golden Princes ) and Sydney it’s home port. Think how mean cruise ship we have in over the season. What is the money that Sydney get from each ship.

  5. Everytime I read articles like this, I immediately think of how a previous government sold off publicly owned infrastructure, in this case the Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf, for short term gain!!!!!

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