The Eurobodalla Shire Council has rejected the idea of a deep-water pier, after a feasibility study described it as “economically unviable”.
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The result has disappointed Bay Business and Tourism Chamber President David Maclachlan, who says the pier is critical to secure regular cruise ship visits to the region.
The debate comes in the wake of a visit by cruise ship MS Caledonia Sky. A spokesperson said the ship had to use inflatable Zodiac boats to get passengers to shore.
The council said it was working with the Ports Authority of NSW and the chamber to establish a cruise tourism industry in the region.
“In March 2016 Council resolved to undertake an economic feasibility study for ... a deep water marina, in Batemans Bay … the study scope was expanded to include a broad assessment of a cruise ship pier at Corrigans,” a spokesperson said.
“The feasibility study concluded ... both a deep water marina and cruise ship pier were economically unviable.”
The council undertook the study at the prompting of Mr Maclachlan, who said a pier would make cruise ship visits more profitable.
“If we had a pier, the crew would also come to shore, they get food, buy personal items. That’s a really significant factor for any cruise ship,” Mr Maclachlan said.
“Small ships mean small tenders (ship-to-shore transport) and small tenders mean they’re highly subject to weather ... you’re going to have more frequent cancellations.”
A MS Caledonian Sky spokesperson said passengers enjoyed the Batemans Bay stop, but there were difficulties reaching the shore.
“We operated two excursions from Batemans Bay: Canberra and the Eurobodalla Gardens,” the spokesperson said.
“Both were very well received. Clients not on the full day trip to Canberra had the opportunity to visit Batemans Bay in the afternoon, which was also very enjoyable.
“On the day there were concerns over the designated landing site, and a solution was found to land using our Zodiacs at the Marina.”
The council said Batemans Bay had been identified as a port for the “growing expedition, luxury and speciality cruise markets”.
“Two ships will be visiting Batemans Bay in 2018, with one visit already scheduled for 2019,” the spokesperson said.