New South Wales is on the lookout for a site for a new cruise ship terminal as the industry sails to a record-breaking $4.41 billion season.
The 60.4 per cent growth in the sector on the previous financial year has sparked the search, and upgrades to electrify the White Bay Cruise Terminal at Rozelle are in hand.
The State Government revealed it was on the hunt for a site after the data was made public by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and Australian Cruise Association.
And this month the largest cruise ship to dock at Eden Cruise Wharf on the South Coast arrived—the visit by The Royal Princess made possible after extensions to the wharf as well as policy amendments to allow overnight stays as well as the removal of a 60 ships a year cap.
Meanwhile a panel of cruise and tourism industry experts has been established to work on identifying a preferred location for a third cruise terminal in the state.
While Sydney cruise terminals are yet to reach capacity, the panel is tasked with identifying options for a future facility to support the long-term growth of the cruise industry.
The panel will also investigate options for increased capacity at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at The Rocks on Sydney Harbour.
The changes to the port at Eden and other locations around the country are expected to seed growth in the sector, creating opportunity for development to support that growth.
Bigger cruise ships had the potential to add $8.77 million to the economy of Eden, according to Bega MP Michael Holland.
“This time last year, the Royal Princess would have been 5m too long to dock in Eden, but thanks to the new modifications to the port’s operations, Eden will see bigger ships and more frequent visits,” he said.
“Every cruise season, visiting international cruise passengers can spend up to $283 a day, according to CLIA, injecting millions into local economies like ours.”
Port Authority chief executive Philip Holliday said they were working with cruise lines to continue the sector’s growth across the state.
“Since the first cruise ship arrived into Eden in 2005 there have been approximately 150 cruise ship visits, and more than 235,000 passengers visiting Eden,” Holliday said.
“Recent CLIA data shows that more than six in 10 people who have taken a cruise say that they have returned to a destination they first visited on a cruise ship.”
In the region, shoptop plans for the Sapphire Coast were filed in February as the first stage of a new South Coast precinct proposed by Sydney-based Justice Fox Property Group.
They are part of a larger 18ha area dubbed the Eden Harbour Quarter, which would eventually be developed for commercial and accommodation for tourists.
The plans are under assessment by the Southern Regional Planning Panel.
