The announcement that a third cruise terminal for Sydney is a step closer with invitations opened for a new site at Port Botany is an important next step to addressing Sydney's cruise terminal capacity.
"Numerous reports and studies including reports from Infrastructure Australia have highlighted concerns with insufficient berthing space for large cruise ships. Without a new terminal, Sydney will wave goodbye to the jobs and business opportunities provided by the lucrative and fast growing cruise industry," said Chris Lamont, Director of Policy and Advocacy of the NSW Business Chamber.
"As the Chamber has highlighted over many years, Sydney is Australia's gateway port and it has long been documented the significant role cruising plays in the visitor economy and the importance of developing a new cruise terminal," Mr Lamont said.
"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."
"If the technical studies and business cases stack up, we need to get on with building this terminal and get a commitment to a timetable for construction.
"Further delays put future jobs and important opportunities at risk. We need to understand that this is a highly competitive industry and it is vital that Sydney not just leverage all of its attractions and draw cards, but that we invest in the infrastructure necessary to ensure future capacity and growth," Mr Lamont said.
