Port Authority of NSW has released the dates for the first round of information sessions to gather feedback from the community to help inform the Detailed Business Case for a potential cruise terminal near Port Botany.
The 'drop-in' sessions, to be held later this month, will allow the community to meet the project team, ask questions and learn how their feedback is being used to help inform the project, said a Port Authority of NSW spokesperson.
The sessions follow an announcement in September that a Detailed Business Case is being progressed to investigate cruise capacity, industry demand and assess potential sites for a third cruise terminal between Yarra Bay and Molineux Point.
Detailed Business Cases are a tool used by the NSW Government to guide evidence-based investment decisions.
The Cruise Capacity Detailed Business Case will recommend site options within the study area, provide high-level terminal concepts and commercial models for procuring, funding and operating a potential terminal. The business case will be informed by inputs including technical studies.
Port Authority and NSW Treasury will submit the Detailed Business Case to the NSW Government for consideration in 2020.
"Port Authority is committed to engaging with the community to help inform the Detailed Business Case for a potential third cruise terminal for Sydney and providing a consultation report that explains how community feedback has been used," the spokesman said.
Community members can register to attend one of the following information sessions at Prince Henry Centre, Little Bay:
- Friday 29 November, 11am-2pm
- Saturday 30 November, 10am-1pm
- Wednesday 4 December, 4pm-7pm
"The first round of 'drop-in' sessions will include information about what we have heard from the community and how this information will be used to minimise potential impacts, if the project were to proceed," the spokesman said.
There will be information on how cruise terminals operate, the project timeline and next steps.
A second round of information sessions will be held by mid-2020.
"At this time Port Authority is committed to providing an Early Consultation Outcomes Report that explains how community feedback has been used to inform the project," the spokesman said.
"We will also outline the project, including refined site options from the study area and early design concepts.
"To date, project updates and briefings have been held with a number of local stakeholders including community representatives, councils and adjacent land owners.
"Through consultation, we have sought to understand how locals and visitors use the area and what they value about it, to feed into the Detailed Business Case.
"Engaging at this early phase means community input is being used to help guide decision-making about a potential third terminal."
Since the launch of the Cruise Capacity Project's engagement website on 1 October, community members have dropped more than 1,000 pins on an interactive map, providing crucial details about how people use the area, their questions and concerns.
"We are using this information to guide the technical studies, and address areas of importance and concern to the local community and stakeholders, which includes beach amenity, water-based recreational impacts, Aboriginal cultural heritage and connection to the area, traffic and transport capacity and environmental impacts."
Port Authority and NSW Treasury will submit the Detailed Business Case to the NSW Government for consideration in 2020.
If the project is endorsed by the NSW Government to progress to the next stage, further consultation would take place as part of the statutory planning pathway and project approvals - including the public exhibition of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
For further information about the project or to register for an information session go to www.yoursaycruisecapacity.com.au or call 1800 717 530.
