13 April 2022

Revised Eden Port proposal to welcome world's largest cruise ships

| Katrina Condie
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The Port of Eden

Proposed modification to the Port of Eden will allow some of the world’s largest cruise ships to berth in the town. Photo: Port Authority of NSW.

Proposed modifications to the Eden Cruise Wharf could see vessels up to 370 m long and carrying almost 7000 passengers permitted to berth in the port overnight, seven days a week.

As the first cruise ships in two years make their way back to Australian shores, consultation will commence this week to transform the Port of Eden into a destination of choice for some of the world’s largest cruise liners.

The local community and interested groups are invited to provide feedback on the detailed proposal to modify the wharf, which includes increasing the number of vessels permitted to visit the wharf each year and allowing vessels up to 370 m long to berth.

The revised proposal would also permit non-cruise ships greater than 100 m in length to carry out operational activities, such as loading and unloading.

Minister for Transport and Veterans David Elliott says the multi-award winning Eden Welcome Centre is the ocean gateway to the Sapphire Coast and Bega Valley and the upgrades will unlock the region’s full economic potential.

“There has been growing demand from the cruise and shipping industries and the Royal Australian Navy to expand the use of existing facilities,” Mr Elliott says.

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“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.

“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.”

While the proposed modifications would allow vessels to stay at berth overnight, seven days a week, the embarking and disembarking of passengers and general cruise ship activities would remain restricted to between 7 am and 10 pm.

Consultation with community groups and stakeholders over the next few weeks will inform an environmental assessment report for planning authorities to consider.

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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.

A $44 million wharf extension was completed in August 2019.

To register interest for updates and to be notified when you can have your say on the proposal, send an email to EdenCruiseFacilityMOD3@portauthoritynsw.com.au

Original Article published by Katrina Condie on About Regional.

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Some of the posters on here don’t seem to be aware that Eden already has a huge wharf to cope with huge cruise ships.

This news is just an extension to the docking points to allow even bigger cruise ships. I think Eden is one of the deepest harbours in the world. 3rd deepest in the Southern Hemisphere apparently.

The real takeaway is that Cruise ships are much better than the Oil Tankers that used to fill the harbour in the 20th century.

I hate to think what it’ll do to the pristine waters of the far south coast. At the same time, I understand that many will like the flow on effects of jobs and business opportunities. The question is whether the short-term benefits are worth the longer term costs. I expect there’ll be some local conflict over priorities, with those with the money and power winning the day.

Capital Retro2:41 pm 18 Apr 22

A coal loader would look better than that cruise ship and it would contribute more to our economy.

Capital Retro8:50 pm 16 Apr 22

This will only work if the tourists have access to a casino and the one in Canberra is too far away.

Triple the town’s population in a single visit.

Eden might need a bit more infrastructure to cope with those kind of numbers.

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