Cruise ship base ‘still viable’ without casino

MAYOR Tom Tate says it is still “smooth sailing” for his planned cruise ship terminal on The Spit – despite the proposed casino development for the area being shot down.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the announcement did not mean the council’s cruise ship proposal had been automatically ruled out. “Not at all,” she said.

“The council is currently undertaking a business case about the oceanside terminal and we look forward to seeing the results of that business case once that is completed.

“We want the council to continue their work in relation to the ocean cruise ship terminal.”

Cr Tate yesterday moved to assure his pet project, to be built offshore and on 6ha of land at Philip Park, was still proceeding: “(It’s) smooth sailing.”

The proposed terminal is expected to bring around $4 billion into the economy and cost the city around $463 million to build.

Plans detailing a base port with customs facilities and a transit port for short visits passed federal environmental approval this year and the council voted to spend $2.5 million to explore the project.