Mayors from the ‘LG8’ alongside Member for Wollongong Paul Scully (second from left) and NSW Tourism Association CEO Natalie Godward (third from right) at the launch of the Cruise Wollongong Prospectus. Photo: Zoe Cartwright.
Wollongong has stepped up its campaign to be the site of NSW’s third cruise ship port terminal with the launch of the Wollongong Cruise Prospectus.
The launch took place at a Cruise Wollongong Taskforce meeting at the Wollongong City Council chambers.
The taskforce includes the mayors of Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, the Shoalhaven, Wingecarribee, Camden, Wollondilly and Campbelltown, alongside Member for Wollongong Paul Scully MP, NSW Tourism Association, Destination Wollongong, Destination Sydney Surrounds South, RDA Illawarra, Business Illawarra, and the Ports Authority of NSW.
The NSW Government has committed to opening a third cruise terminal in the state, it’s just a matter of where – and the dedicated taskforce is determined that will be Wollongong.
Mr Scully confirmed the other two locations the government is looking at are Newcastle and Eden.
The 11-page prospectus sets out the case for why the taskforce believes Port Kembla and Wollongong are the most logical, cost-effective and sustainable choice for Sydney’s third cruise terminal.
“We’re closer to Sydney than Newcastle and Eden and have an existing deep-water port, with road and rail access, making our city the right choice for cruises, especially those that attract the domestic market,’’ Cr Brown said.
“Wollongong is a thriving regional city with a highly attractive visitor experience.
“The wider region together with the South Coast and Macarthur regions offers escarpment lookouts, coastal drives, pristine beaches, tourist attractions including a wildlife park and action park as well as award-winning food and wine, and rich Aboriginal cultural heritage, all within 60 minutes of the port.
“Yes, there are infrastructure improvements that would be needed to support a cruise terminal in our city, but this isn’t a prospectus for change overnight.
“This is about securing the long-term future of cruise in NSW. With cruise visitation in NSW forecast to grow to 2.3 million passengers per annum by 2033, we are setting out our long-term intentions and saying ‘we believe we are the right choice’.”
She’s got the support of all surrounding councils, colloquially known as the LG8.
Shoalhaven Mayor Patricia White said her region has plenty of natural attractions, and is looking at proposals for five-star accommodation.
The additional visitor numbers an international cruise terminal in Port Kembla would bring would be a boost for the region’s tourist economy.
“This would be of real benefit to the Shoalhaven,” she said.
“If they go to Sydney on a cruise, we just don’t get that visitation; from Port Kembla by bus it’s only about an hour.”
Mayor of Campbelltown Darcy Lound agreed.
He said many residents in his LGA love to cruise, and already see making the trip down to Wollongong easier than driving into central Sydney.
The upcoming Western Sydney airport would only make the connection closer.
“There’s the potential for our businesses to link with the cruise industry down here as well,” he said.
“It gives us the option to be close to a terminal and we will definitely keep advocating for better rail connections, especially with the Western Sydney International Airport coming along.
“We believe if people fly in there and can’t get accommodation here in Wollongong they will stay in the Campbelltown-Macarthur region and that’s a benefit to us too.”
Although concerns have been raised about whether Port Kembla has the capacity to operate as an industrial port, potentially be the base of offshore energy generation, play a part in AUKUS and act as an international cruise terminal, Cr Brown said her focus was on promoting the port’s cruise potential.
NSW Tourism Association CEO Natalie Godward said Port Kembla’s operation as a working port could be a drawcard, rather than a drawback.
“It’s real life, people love real life,” she said.
“It’s definitely not a negative. Every port is a maritime zone and every port has a secure area, in the middle of Sydney, New Zealand or Port Kembla.
“It’s all about how you navigate the visitor experience, and this would be purpose-built if it come to fruition, so all of those things can be developed with a vision in mind from the very beginning.”
