| CW breaking news – NSW Government cans Botany Bay cruise plans

Back to square one under new Labor Government policy.

The NSW State Government has tonight confirmed it will not go ahead with plans for a cruise terminal in Yarra Bay, with Transport Minister Jo Haylen saying she is now “taking advice about how to deal with the additional cruise industry requirements within Sydney”.

The move is being reported in mainstream media this evening, with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia issuing a statement saying that while it recognises the lack of community support for a third cruise facility at Yarra Bay and respects the Government’s decision to discontinue exploring that possibliity, “the industry is disappointed this announcement has been made without indicating an alternative solution”.

“The lack of a viable additional cruise berth in Sydney jeopardises the city’s standing as a world-class cruise gateway,” said CLIA MD Joel Katz, adding that capacity constraints in Sydney prevent the industry from operating to its full potential, and have significant flow-on effects for other destinations around the country.

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

“CLIA looks forward to further discussion with the NSW Government to identify additional berthing possibilities as a matter of urgency,” Katz added.

More details in Monday’s issue of Cruise Weekly.