Push for Garden Island revived

Push for Garden Island revived
By admin


The 2014-15 cruise season has officially commenced today igniting a renewed interest in opening up public debate regarding cruise ship access to Garden Island, according to the Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF).

TTF acting chief executive, Trent Zimmerman said growth of the cruise sector was being hampered by indecision.

“A shortage of berth space has reached the point where it is now costing the NSW economy revenue and jobs,” Zimmerman said.

“Sydney is already at capacity for key dates during the peak of the summer cruise season, which means ships are being forced to drop anchor in the middle of the harbour. This significantly reduces the number of passengers who come ashore while they are in Sydney, cutting the economic benefit of that visit.”

Zimmerman considers ships which berth at a terminal would deliver “greater value” to the State’s economy, with passengers being able to gain easy access to Sydney’s tourist attractions.

“Also, ships at anchor (instead of berthed alongside) can't be filled with local supplies of fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, and NSW wines – another lost opportunity for the local economy.”

The NSW government has taken to increasing additional capacity at Garden Island to its federal counterpart, with a permanent decision still pending.

“While the federal government has extended the interim solution which allows three ships to berth at Garden Island each cruise season, a formal permanent arrangement for peak season would give cruise operators the advance certainty they need to lock in itineraries that include Sydney.

“This would foster growth in the number of cruise ships visiting Sydney, delivering additional visitation and expenditure in the New South Wales visitor economy, and supporting the state’s Tourism 2020 goal of doubling overnight visitor expenditure to $36 billion.”

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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