The Tourism & Transport Forum Australia (TTF) has today called on the NSW Government to adopt a recommendation by the cruise industry reference group for the cruise-ship industry to be allowed permanent access to Garden Island.

TTF Chief Executive Margy Osmond said a report prepared by the cruise industry reference group has found that the ideal solution to secure the future growth of Australia’s $5 billion cruise industry is to establish common user terminal facilities at Garden Island for the use of large cruise ships.

“The cruise industry reference group and its head Peter Collins must be congratulated on coming up with a common sense solution to address Sydney’s looming cruise crisis,” Ms Osmond said.

“Cruise shipping is the most dynamic and fastest growing sector of the Australian visitor economy, and has rapidly become one of the great success stories for Australian tourism.

“However, with port facilities at Circular Quay at full capacity, and an increasing number of ships too large to pass beneath Sydney Harbour Bridge to access the White Bay terminal, the only deep-water option in the city which is able to accommodate growth is Garden Island.

“Port Botany is not the number one answer, the big drawcard is Sydney Harbour. It is not just international tourists that crave the ‘big picture’ moment of sailing through the heads – this is also about Aussie tourists who want to feel that sense of excitement and pride that comes from sailing in and out of their Harbour City.

“I commend the NSW Government and the Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey for initiating this review, and I urge them to adopt the recommendations of this report and allow cruise ships to access the infrastructure at Garden Island.”