Labor MP opposes controversial Yarra Bay cruise terminal

By SAM PASHMI

Maroubra MP Michael Daley has affirmed his opposition to a controversial plan for a new cruise ship terminal in Yarra Bay. For five years, the Yarra Bay community has faced the prospect of Sydney’s third cruise ship terminal being built on their shores.

Now, Daley has joined the campaign against the terminal and promised to fight the proposal if re-elected in the March state election.

The idea for the Yarra Bay Cruise Terminal was first broached in 2018, and has been met with an outpouring of local opposition since then. The proposal was then put on hold during the pandemic, until last year when Port Authority of NSW CEO Phillip Holliday put the idea back on the table at a cruise conference.

Battle against terminal resumes in 2022

After hearing that the plan was back in consideration, Randwick’s Mayor Dylan Parker told locals to “prepare for a renewed battle” against the proposal. Council and community group Save Yarra Bay have been campaigning against the cruise terminal proposal in order to protect the community and the bay from overdevelopment and environmental damage.

“Labor remains 100% opposed to the Liberals’ plans for a cruise terminal at Yarra Bay” Daley said.

He said he will “continue to fight tooth and nail to Save Yarra Bay”.

The MP said his concerns for the terminal include “the concreting of our beautiful beach and loss of green open space, massive congestion on local roads, destruction of heritage and negative environmental impacts.”

“The Liberals’ cruise ship terminal would be disastrous for our area.”

Steve Odell, the SVP and Managing Director Asia Pacific of Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas said in a Cruise Passenger article that the reason for the renewed push of the Yarra Bay terminal was to keep up with rising demand for cruise ships stopping in Sydney.

Odell said last year that there was already cruise bookings made well into 2025. He said that some of the larger cruise ships coming to Sydney are too large to fit under the Harbour Bridge. Yarra Bay would provide an alternate location for cruises to stop, other than Circular Quay and White Bay.

Save Yarra Bay, Randwick Council and local Labor leaders continue to oppose the terminal.