From the Lord Mayor's Office
Cruising crucial to Wollongong's future
This week I had the pleasure of launching the ‘Cruise Wollongong Prospectus’ which makes the case for Wollongong to be chosen as the state’s third cruise terminal and turnaround port. It was prepared in response to the establishment of the Cruise Industry Advisory Panel by the NSW Government, which will determine the best solutions to grow cruise in NSW.
I was joined by Members of the Cruise Wollongong Taskforce to launch the Prospectus including Member for Wollongong and Minister for Planning Public Spaces Paul Scully MP, local Mayors, NSW Tourism Association, Destination Wollongong, Destination Sydney Surrounds South, Ports Authority of NSW, RDA Illawarra and Business Illawarra.
As the cruise industry continues to grow in NSW, this is the next step in our advocacy to continue our conversations with government, industry and community about why Wollongong is the right choice for a cruise terminal to help secure the future of cruise in NSW.
Wollongong is a thriving regional city, and together with the wider Illawarra Shoalhaven, Wingecarribee and Marcarthur regions can offer a variety of tourist attractions, award winning food and wine and rich Aboriginal cultural heritage all within 60 minutes of the Port.
We have a well-documented history of welcoming cruise vessels through Port Kembla, hosting seven cruise vessels between 2016-2019 which were warmly welcomed by passionate volunteer cruise ambassadors and the wider community.
We are also fortunate to have infrastructure in place that can support a cruise terminal, with an existing deep-water port, road and rail access and three airports all within 70 minutes of the Port making it attractive for cruises, especially those that attract the domestic market.
With cruise visitation in NSW forecast to grow to 2.3 million passengers per annum by 2033, this is a long-term strategy to grow cruise and the visitor economy, generate more economic activity and jobs, and attract investment in accommodation in our city and across the region.
We know this is a long play and have more work to do, but believe we are taking the right steps to make the most of a golden opportunity for our city. We are ready and willing, and will continue to work with government, industry and community to make our case for why Wollongong is the right choice for the next cruise terminal in NSW.
Read more in Council's Media Release: All aboard Wollongong's case for cruise
Read the Cruise Wollongong: The ideal location for a third cruise terminal and turnaround port in NSW
