Cruisey life on the Coast

“Thirteen per cent growth is more or less consistent with the growth that we have had for the eastern parts of Australia as a whole,” he said.

A majority of Gold Coast passengers caught their cruise from either Brisbane or Sydney terminals.

The number of Australian passengers taking a cruise increased to 1.05 million in 2015, a 15 per cent increase on 2014, according to figures from the Cruise Lines International Association.

The number of Australians taking a cruise is expected to increase to about two million by 2020.

A Gold Coast cruise ship terminal is expected to cost $170-$450 million.

“We are generally interested in any new port infrastruc- ture developed Australian east Armstrong said.

“We need big ship infrastructure which is somewhat lacking.”

Mr Armstrong said the speed which passengers could disembark would also be taken into consideration.

Cr Tate said the increase in Gold Coasters taking up cruising was “great news”.

“(With the proposed cruise ship terminal) it makes the case more compelling,” he said.

The council is gathering the final information for the cruise ship terminal proposal before presenting a business case to the State Government in October.

Mayor Tom Tate has guaranteed the project will not cost ratepayers a cent. on the coast,” Mr