THE state government could decide on the proposed $20 million Newcastle cruise terminal within weeks, amid renewed support for it being built at Dyke Point following Monday’s visit by the Queen Elizabeth.
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The terminal was shortlisted for funding last year, along with 10 other Hunter projects vying for a share of $50 million allocated to the Hunter Infrastructure and Investment Fund by Restart NSW.
Parliamentary secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald said the government would likely rule on the business case for the terminal plan, still under wraps, in “late March, early April”.
“It’s a strong case, there’s no question about it,” Mr MacDonald said.
“I don’t think it is the case that we need to have a Rolls Royce, gold-plated terminal [in Newcastle], but we need an efficient terminal. The object of the exercise will be to get passengers in and out.”
Tourism Hunter boss Will Creedon has spearheaded the terminal project, and on Tuesday re-emphasised the case for building it at Dyke Point where cruise ships currently dock.
He said a terminal on the city side of the harbour wouldn’t work logistically, and would deprive cruise passengers of their best view of Newcastle.
“They love it when they look out over the city,” Mr Creedon said.
“It’s a fantastic tapestry, an amazing vista. That’s the photograph that goes all over the world.”
Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth was the fifth liner to dock in Newcastle this year and the seventh this season, which began in November.
This cruise season has been worth $15 million to $17 million to the Hunter and is projected to bring 18,000 guests, Mr Creedon said, numbers that could more than double within five years “with the proper infrastructure”.
About a third of cruise passengers typically tour the Hunter Valley, another third take tours of Newcastle and the rest explore the city on their own.
Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp said he was “absolutely behind” a $20 million terminal at Dyke Point that could be used as a multipurpose venue.
“It wouldn’t have to be Rolls Royce or gold-plated, and I hope Scot MacDonald is not suggesting a cow shed,” Mr Crakanthorp said.
“But if you had a permanent, efficient terminal of course you would use it for a range of purposes.”
He cited the White Bay cruise terminal in Sydney as a “modern, sophisticated” building and an example that Newcastle could emulate.
Newcastle is due to host P&O’s Pacific Aria next Wednesday, and Royal Caribbean’s 315-metre Celebrity Solstice on Friday, March 19.
