New cruise terminal for Sydney on 2019 Infrastructure Priority ListNew cruise terminal for Sydney on 2019 Infrastructure Priority List

The proposal has been listed as a ‘priority initiative’ on the 2019 list of key national projects determined by the government’s independent infrastructure advisory board, released Thursday.

CLIA Australasia & Asia md Joel Katz said the release of the 2019 Infrastructure Priority List provided important recognition for the economic contribution cruising makes to the national economy and the serious capacity constraints faced in Australia’s largest cruise port.

Katz said without urgent attention, Sydney’s lack of berthing options would hamper growth in Australia’s almost A$5billion-a-year cruise sector.

Sydney at capacity

‘Sydney’s cruise facility at Circular Quay is at capacity during Australia’s peak summer cruise season, which limits the number of ships that can visit,’ he said.

‘This has knock-on effects for other destinations around the country, so it is important that this issue has been recognised at the national level as a key infrastructure priority.’

Katz said the cruise industry supports the New South Wales government’s commitment to developing a strategic business case for an additional cruise terminal.

‘The industry will work constructively with the NSW government to support the development of additional cruise facilities and looks forward to achieving a viable solution in the near future,’ he said.