Major changes to cruise operations and the use of the Eden Wharf could see larger cruise ships coming to Eden, stops for longer than a day (although embarking/disembarking would be restricted to 7am-10pm) and more use of the wharf by others, including the Royal Australian Navy.
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The details have been released as part of a proposed modification to the State Significant Infrastructure with a scoping report prepared by the Port Authority for the Department of Planning and Environment.
Consultation is expected to start this week, from April 11 between Port Authority NSW and key stakeholders including Bega Valley Shire Council, Regional NSW, Destination NSW and member for Bega Michael Holland.
There will also be opportunities for community consultation Transport Minister David Elliott said about the proposal which could see some of the world's largest cruise ships heading to Eden.
The proposed modifications at Eden Cruise Wharf include:
- no restrictions on the number of ships visiting per year (currently up to 60)
- allow vessels up to 370m long to berth (up from the current 325m), to accommodate some of the largest ships in the world carrying up to 6700 passengers
- allow vessels to stay at berth overnight seven days a week, similar to the current infrastructure approval for vessels less than 100m (embarking/disembarking passengers and general cruise ship activities would remain restricted to between 7am and 10pm) and
- allow non-cruise ships greater than 100m in length to carry out operational activities, such as loading and unloading.
The multi-award winning Eden Welcome Centre is the ocean gateway to the sparkling Sapphire Coast and beautiful Bega Valley and these upgrades would allow us to unlock the regions full economic potential, Mr Elliott said.
There has been growing demand from the cruise and shipping industries and the Royal Australian Navy to expand the use of existing facilities.
With Eden strategically located between Sydney, Melbourne and New Zealand cruise destinations, we know there is an appetite for increased cruise visits and modifications would allow larger vessels to add this beautiful part of NSW to their itineraries," Mr Elliott said. The proposal also includes the construction of additional mooring infrastructure to enable the largest Oasis class vessels to berth alongside the wharf.
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This would include an additional dolphin 60m seaward of the existing dolphins and the option to install a fixed passenger walkway from the edge of the wharf to the first dolphin and then a cantilever structure from dolphin 1 to dolphin 2 to provide access to Oasis class passengers.
Mr Elliott encouraged the local community and interested groups to provide feedback on the detailed proposal to modify the Eden Cruise Wharf on the states far south coast.
We want to support local business and communities by better using the existing infrastructure at Eden to deliver greater economic opportunities for a region that has done it tough over the past few years through drought, fires and the pandemic, Mr Elliott said.
Consultation with community groups and stakeholders over the next few weeks will inform an environmental assessment report for assessment and consideration by planning authorities.
The cruise industry complements the Sapphire Coast's existing visitor market of approximately one million visitors per year with cruise passengers spending around $390 per day when on shore.
To find out more about the proposal, visit Eden Cruise Wharf | Port Authority New South Wales
To register your interest for updates and to be notified when you can have your say email: EdenCruiseFacilityMOD3@
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Denise Dion
Regional daily news journalist on the Far South Coast of NSW. Contact me on 0418 213 780 or at denise.dion@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Regional daily news journalist on the Far South Coast of NSW. Contact me on 0418 213 780 or at denise.dion@austcommunitymedia.com.au
