SHAPE No base port bid: Gates

ACTING Mayor Donna Gates claims the proposed cruise ship terminal on The Spit may not be a base port – despite the council’s submission saying it would and its consultants being told they would have to start the process again if the plans were significantly changed.

A council submission for the proposal, referred to the federal environment department and publicly available online, said the city’s plan was “to establish the cruise ship facility as a base port that will provide facilities to support cruise ships at point of origin and destination, including resupply and refuelling”.

However, Cr Gates, standing in for Mayor Tom Tate who is overseas, said the report was designed to cover many options open to the council.

“It does not suggest it will be a base port,” she said.

“Obviously, if we choose that option it would be a welcome boost for the economy because people may stay a few extra days but the council’s position at this time is for a port of call.

“That is what we have always supported – no refuelling – but those options are being explored.”

However the submission reveals council’s own consultants were told by the department that any changes to the plans could alter the impact on matters of national significance, taking the process back to the beginning.

“If there is too much change with more impact, it could invalidate the prior assessment and determination,” departmental officers told council consultants in December.

According to the 190-page submission, the terminal’s facilities would include refuelling, as well as a dive platform, safe swimming beach and twostorey terminal building set on 6ha of public land.

The plans would allow the port to be used as an origin and destination for 150 cruise ships a year.

Members of the public have until next Thursday to have their say on the referral, which opened for a 10-business-day consultation last week.

Cr Gates defended the short consultation period, which has not been advertised, saying locals would get to have their say when the project goes to the State Government.

“It will be advertised as part of the state process,” she said. “This is just the initial report to the Federal Government.”