Govt: no way to Yarra Bay

THE Government of New South Wales is ruling out the construction of a cruise ship terminal in Yarra Bay, two prominent Labor members of parliament have announced (CW breaking news Fri).

The proposal met with fierce opposition from the local community (CW 18 Nov 2019), fearing Yarra Bay’s unique history and natural environment would be destroyed by the construction of a terminal.

MP for Maroubra Michael Daley, who represents the seat in which Yarra Bay is located, has led the opposition, running a prolonged ‘Save Yarra Bay’ campaign, alongside the local group ‘Save the Bay Coalition’, Randwick and Bayside councils (CW 23 Sep 2019), and the La Perouse Aboriginal Land Council.

A business case for the terminal proposal was undertaken prepandemic (CW 23 Sep 2019), with cruise capacity in Sydney Harbour becoming constrained.

Many sections of the cruise industry were pressing for a new terminal to be built at the Yarra Bay site (CW 26 Aug 2022), but Minister for Transport Jo Haylen declared a cruise terminal at the location is “not going to happen” under the Minns administration.

She described Yarra Bay as a “precious place” and a “priceless historical site”.

“It has been occupied and cared for by the First Nations traditional owners for many thousands of years.

“It is the site of the first landing in Australia of Arthur Phillip and the First Fleet.”

“Despite two and a half centuries of development all around it, Yarra Bay remains essentially in its pristine and original natural state.”

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) said the lack of a viable additional cruise berth in Sydney jeopardises the city’s standing as a worldclass cruise gateway, adding it is “disappointed” the announcement was made without an alternative solution.

“Establishing additional cruise ship facilities in or around Sydney is essential to the future prosperity of the sector,” CLIA told CW in a statement.

“Capacity constraints in Sydney prevent the industry operating to its full potential and have flow-on effects for other destinations around Australia.

“Cruise industry success across the region cannot be realised without investment in appropriate port infrastructure.”

The Port Authority of NSW is now examining alternative ways to increase terminal capacity for cruise ships, and will report back to the government on other viable options.

“We are committed to keeping the community and industry updated.”