Infrastructure Australia Acknowledges Cruise Capacity Problem

The Sydney Business Chamber says the inclusion of Sydney’s cruise terminal capacity in the Infrastructure Australian Priority List highlights the problem of insufficient berthing space for large cruise ships and is a message to both the NSW Government and NSW Opposition that a resolution must be on their priority list too.

“Without resolution Sydney will be at risk of losing its share of the lucrative cruise market, which is the fastest growing segment of the visitor economy,” said Patricia Forsythe, Executive Director of the Sydney Business Chamber.

“Sydney is Australia’s gateway port and Infrastructure Australia has recognised the significant role cruising plays in the visitor economy and the importance of developing a new cruise terminal.

“Sydney lacks adequate wharf space east of the Harbour Bridge to accommodate the larger cruise ships which are the dominant ships visiting the Australian East Coast,” Mrs Forsythe said.

“If the business case for a new terminal in Botany Bay stacks up, the next NSW Government must commit to a timetable for construction.

“The decision has been put off for too long and has given ports in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth an edge in attracting cruise ships.

“A recent report from Cruise Lines International Australia Association (CLIA) found that while NSW accounted for most of the national economic contribution overall, the state’s total economic impact grew by the lowest out of all the states due to capacity constraint.

“The cruising economy must be encouraged and nurtured otherwise Sydney will be at risk of losing out to destinations that have adequate infrastructure to support the growth in cruise ship visits and our city will miss out,” she said.

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