The NSW Government and Port of Newcastle revealed the design of the new Newcastle Cruise Terminal. The purpose-built facility will cover approximately 3,000m2 and will include facilities for passenger drop-off and pick up, coach parking and vessel provisioning.
Port of Newcastle’s CEO, Geoff Crowe, said the Newcastle Cruise Terminal will provide a professional transit experience for passengers arriving in Newcastle and a positive first impression of the city.
“The new cruise terminal, to be built at the Channel Berth, will enable the Port to receive more and larger cruise ships in the future. Importantly, it will position Newcastle as a home port where ships can start and finish their destination in Newcastle. Eventually cruise visits could also be aligned with major events, such as the V8 Supercars, adding another dimension to the visitor and tourism experience,” Mr. Crowe noted.
To this day, cruise shipping in Newcastle currently contributes around $11 million per annum to the local economy. The new port aims to deliver even more economic value to the region via more cruise ships and more visitors and the opportunity for local businesses to provide goods and services for the provisioning of vessels.
The $12.7 million Newcastle Cruise Terminal will be funded by the NSW Government’s Restart NSW Hunter Infrastructure Investment Fund.
The design was presented by the Parliamentary Secretary for Planning, the Central Coast and the Hunter, Scot MacDonald, who mentioned that the Newcastle Cruise Terminal would be a major boost for the Hunter’s tourism sector.
The $13.5 million Newcastle cruise infrastructure upgrades include:
- a $12.7 million cruise terminal, funded by the NSW Government,
- a new mooring bollards ($800,000), jointly funded by the NSW Government and the Federal Government, completed in May 2017.
Namely, he stated: “The Newcastle Cruise Terminal is a big win for the region and a key part of Newcastle’s revitalisation. It cements the city as an international cruise destination and will deliver flow on benefit to the region’s already thriving tourism industry. Additionally, it complements the increased capacity of Newcastle Airport.”
The NSW Government has granted $13.1 million towards the $13.5 million Newcastle cruise upgrades.
In total, The Hunter Research Foundation has estimated the projects will contribute around $26.7 million to the local economy and an additional 76 jobs through construction and flow-on effects.”
According to Geoff Crowe, the construction is set to begin in early 2018, with Newcastle having the new cruise terminal by the end of next year.
In fact, in February 2019, the Explorer of the Seas, will become the largest cruise ship to visit the new port, carrying 3,900 passengers.
The principal contractor will be appointed in early 2018.
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