Friends of Barangaroo

A key component of the Barangaroo debate is the NSW Labor Government’s proposed relocation of the current cruise ship facilities at Barangaroo to the yet to be constructed White Bay Cruise Passenger Terminal. This structure will be located at wharves 4 and 5 on the currently seldom used White Bay freight apron. This proposal includes facilities for exhibitions, functions and corporate events.

White Bay is located in a suburban neighbourhood surrounded by Balmain and Rozelle. From the early 1900s up until 1992 the White Bay port facilities in conjunction with Glebe Island were used for regular bulk freight operations. After 1992 the ports traffic declined heavily and was used primarily for roll-on, roll-off car carrier vessels
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January 2009 saw the introduction of cruise ship traffic back to White Bay, drawing heavy criticism from cruise ship operators and passengers alike. The main complaints about White Bay were the distance from the CBD and the lack of proper infrastructure to support regular cruise ship operations.

Passengers instead of being able to walk off their cruise ship and into the CBD now had to catch tour buses or taxis into the CBD from White Bay – adding time and extra cost to their stay in Sydney. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, cruise line company Carnival had to charter coaches to take passengers to and from Sydney Airport at an expense of $35,000.

Cargo and passenger loading and unload was essentially taking place in a modified shed without proper equipment for processing either of them. This was a far cry from what passengers usually expected according to the SMH. The lack of suitable roads was evident too as 30 trucks delivering goods to the ship had a hard time navigating the suburban streets.

Now with the State Government and Lend Lease planning to delete Barangaroo’s existing cruise ship terminal, White Bay will become Sydney’s primary port for cruise ships that can fit under the Harbour Bridge. These grievances have resurfaced along with community outrage at the impact that the new terminal and its facilities will have on their lives.

The community around White Bay has expressed concern with the current plans, citing an increase in noise levels, denial of public open space and increased traffic.

Cruise ships have to run their auxiliary power units when the ship’s main engines are not operating, this constant noise is a nuisance to the community. The proposed 24 hour facility for events will also generate more noise for its neighbours.

An access road will be built along the shore of White Bay to the cruise ship terminal to allow for larger vehicles to enter to the port. This, while essential to port operations, denies the community access to open space. The increased traffic to the port will be an additional burden on existing infrastructure which is already at capacity.

Along with complaints coming from the community CBD retailers have been expressing their concerns about the distance the White Bay Cruise Passenger terminal is from the CBD. They claim that because of the terminal will no longer be CBD adjacent, the lucrative tourist dollars will not flow into their businesses as much as it currently does. Passengers may elect to spend their money on transportation into the CBD rather than purchasing products. Over 100,000 of these ‘high value’ cruise passengers visit Sydney each year.

The only logical answer to solving the problems of the White Bay community, CBD businesses, cruise ship lines and their passengers is to keep the berth at Barangaroo. It is CBD adjacent and has existing infrastructure that would allow the cruise ships to be serviced with no extra harm done to the community.

Please voice your concerns by following the following link to the Department of Planning website where you can make a submission on the project.

http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl