The new head of Port Authority of NSW has moved to try and win over the people of Yarra Bay, outlining the benefits and attempting to ease their concerns about a new cruise terminal at Port Botany.
Philip Holliday this week assumed the role of CEO and director of the Port Authority of NSW.
New South Wales received $3.3 billion from 358 cruise ship visits last year, and is Australia’s number one destination for ships. But the income is slowing as capacity constraints mean larger cruise ships area forced to go elsewhere.
The State has identified Yarra Bay and nearby Molineux Point as sites for a new cruise terminal. Mr Holliday is preparing a business case to be presented to the state government in March.
In an exclusive interview with Cruise Passenger, he said: “What we are clear on is the benefits to the state and to Sydney. I’m very keen to promote that.
“The reality of our current situation is that demand far exceeds availability. People know the inn is full. Whether they want to bring one ship once or one ship 50 times, it is difficult.”
And, despite the number of times residents ask for it to be reconsidered, Mr Holiday said firmly: “Garden Island is not on the table. The Commonwealth and the Navy have made that absolutely clear and we are not looking at Garden Island at all.”
Mr Holliday, who has already addressed protest meetings at Yarra Bay, maintained there were many benefits for the local community.
“I think a cruise facility brings benefits including opportunities for provisioning and other local opportunities. They are not something the port author is going to deliver, but the port will facilitate local entrepreneurs to help them take advantage of.”
Asked if there would be financial help for local and Indigenous businesses like tour group operators, Mr Holliday did not rule it out.
“We haven’t gone into that level of detail at this moment. But we’re very keen to make sure that whatever opportunities are possible, we’re able to help exploit them. We’ll look at everything on its individual merits.”
He added: “At this stage, consultation has started with the La Perouse Aboriginal Land Council. If the project were to proceed to planning approval, local economic opportunities would be investigated including integration with indigenous businesses and tour operators.
“As part of the consultation process, a wide range of issues are being considered to inform the Detailed Business Case. Detailed technical studies will be completed and will consider potential impacts on Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal heritage, maritime and landslide design, transport and traffic connections and other environmental impacts of a potential terminal. We will share more detail when these studies have been further progressed.”
On the lifestyle front, Mrs Holliday conceded there may be changes – but there would also be some upsides.
“While the project is in the early stages of investigation, Port Authority of NSW would be willing to work with the community to investigate investments in other recreational facilities.
“For example, kayak launches, swimming enclosures, other improvements to beach and shore-based facilities that improve access and use, landscaping, lighting, boardwalks and parking.”
He added:“I do accept that building anything like this anywhere has some level of downside. We’re working hard to mitigate that and find enough benefits to make sure the area recognises in the fullness of time the facility is a great thing to have.”
But he was keen to answer the myths that were building up around the project.
“One person came to me outside the protest meeting and was very concerned about the compulsory purchase of his mother’s house and park land. I said that was not part of the cruise terminal plan at all. He was very comforted by my response.
“People are saying: ‘I’ll never be able to sail in the bay again’, but that’s not true. Will you be able to swim in the bay again? Yes, you will. The myths did surprise me. It’s fear of the unknown”.
A new facility at Port Botany would “inevitably” lead to road upgrades. “ Well into the future, a thriving cruise terminal will bring additional befits to the area and transport will be part of that,” he said.
On the prospect of dredging, another local concern over the environmental impact, he said: “One of the benefits of this location is proximity to existing shipping channels, deep water and the existing breakwater constructed in the 1970s. Detailed dredging requirements are being assessed as part of the Detailed Business Case.”
So what happens next? “The detailed business case is scheduled to go to the government next year. They will make a decision to cease or proceed.
“Let’s assume it is to proceed: We would then go to the full environmental impact assessment. That’s when a great deal more consultation occurs and we’ll have a lot more answers to the questions people are interested in.
“We want to work with the local community to make sure the maximum benefit is achieved and we’re very keen on engagement and mutual understanding. We’ll see where that take us.”
This is a misleading media advertisement for the cruise industry. The building of a cruise terminal in this location is a disaster for the local environment, both land and marine. As for the local community and many hundreds of visitors to the area, it will be destruction of waterways and surrounding areas. We should stop our environment being destroyed for a quick buck.
once they do it it will be changed forever and how can it be slowing in Sydney same amount of cruise ships can still come into Sydney as came last year so that is same amount of money as well.Tell the truth it is greed that is behind this proposal at detriment of locals at Yarra bay nothing else .Greedy cruise lines that want more and more but don’t care about local communities
Right place, right time, best place for it. Good to see everything is being done in the right manner.
Unfortunately, the NIMBYs are out as well – but that’s par for the course wherever. It doesn’t change the rationale and logic of the solution.
This is not a photo of Yarra Bay Sailing Club. Isn’t a bit inaccurate to keep showing a photo of where they put the canoes? Why not actually show the sailing club and the beauty of the beach?
Cruisers want to cruise into and out of Sydney Harbour where they can see the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. In areas where the port is not located at the actual city less money is actually spent and the majority of passengers do not go into the city if they can not walk there or be transferred free of charge by a quick, efficient shuttle service. In our experience this is what occurs overseas in ports that are located at a location several kilometres from the city centre. This location will also be hard to access for passengers outside of the Greater Sydney area, eg North Coast. This will be another white elephant similar to White Bay which is inaccessible by public transport. This appears to be a quick fix from the NSW Government who have always failed to consult with public whilst in government – for example where is the cruise terminal that was promised to Newcastle when the harbour was leased to the Chinese – nothing has been done some years later. If Garden Island is not an option perhaps some other government site in Sydney Harbour could be utilised instead. Perhaps move the naval base to Yarra Bay and boost business in that area that way and keep the tourists happily coming into Sydney Harbour.
This is commercial theft and dare I say rape of our natural, community-used assets – our beautiful beach Yarra Bay and surrounds. We, the locals – 1000 of us – use this beach regularly and this plan will take it away from ‘the people’ that should matter most. On cruising – I urge any of you ‘cruisers’ to watch The Real Cost of Cruises on Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj on YouTube for some hard facts about cruises.
In what universe do they think that Yarra Bay can still be used for swimming and sailing once they bring in mega cruise ships and a major breakwater that will change tidal flows? We have modelled every possible location for a breakwater and shipping berths and each of the options will render the beach and bay dangerous places for swimming or any other recreational use. The terminal will destroy the bay. They know that it cannot be used while ships are there and they know that the construction of a breakwater will change the Bay.
We also know that dredging will destroy the marine ecosystem. Why is he not talking about environmental impacts? The impacts on endemic species, sea grasses, the beautiful Yarra Bay beach and other beaches that will be destroyed by coastal erosion. We have experience port expansions before and we are living with the impacts of that all over Botany Bay. The man is uninformed.
Please listen to those that live and undestand the bay – marine ecologists, engineers, divers, sailors, the aboriginal community that have been studying and using the bay for generations.
Newcastle would welcome a cruise terminal. Back to the drawing board.
There has been no consultation with aboriginal Land Council or community..just a sham set up to tick the box ..NO ANSWERS TO ANY question asked!!!This proposal will destroy Yarra Bay, absolutely ruin the lives of the 1000’s of residents in the community and with such disregard to our Aboriginal community ..Port Authority you should be ashamed of yourselves ..you are environmental vandals !! Go build it somewhere where else or where Peter Collins ,the Liberal member, advised …GARDEN ISLAND ..already operational and no threat to security ..easy to over turn Turnbull decision..as they say “just do it ✔️“
BIG FAT LIES!
NO CONSULTATION WITH RIGHTFUL OWNERS ……..JUST LIES AND DECEIT.
There will be no ‘cultural or financial benefits’ for the RIGHTFUL owners Mr Bell…….only benefiting ‘seasoned world cruisers()
And the coffers of the wealthiest.
From a ‘local yokel’
A new cruise line terminal would improve the Yarra Bay area tremendously. Upgtade of roads, new parklands and facilities for the community must be included in the plan. The proposal will bring much needed work for locals and increase business oportunities for many small operators. Sydney needs this facility now, not in ten years time. Let’s get it moving. Bring Sydney to world standards, we have so much to offer.
Go Go Go – get this project moving. Whilst some local yokels will fret and fuss Greater Sydney and AUSTRALIA need the cruise ships to come without being shoehorned into inferior facilities. We are so far behind in Sydney that soon we will be left out all together. Brisbane, Singapore, Hong Kong and even smaller cities like Eden are recognising that cruise ships bring in financial and cultural benefits. As a seasoned world cruiser I am constantly embarrassed and frustrated when speaking to visitors that our cruise facilities are well below expectations.
La Perouse land council have made a statement advising that no consultation with them has taken place and they continue to be opposed to the proposal. Stop with the lies. What a disgrace this all is.
Liars, Port Authority will say anything to make it sound like they won’t be destroying Yarra Bay, Fact is they will. Before Port Botany was built they said they would provide a new beach, the “beach” they gave us is disgusting, it’s a polluted dog beach and nobody goes their to swim.
Liars, there has been no consultation with local Aboriginals.
NO WAY
Go berth where existing facilities already exist
LEAVE SYDNEY BEACHES ALONE