Oppn echoes calls for cruise liner terminal for Brisbane

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Oppn echoes calls for cruise liner terminal for Brisbane

The Queensland Opposition has backed calls by Brisbane's Lord Mayor Campbell Newman for another passenger ship terminal in the city.

Yesterday, Cruise line Cunard said it would bypass Brisbane for Cairns next year because large ships cannot get to the existing facility at Hamilton as they do not fit under the Gateway Bridge.

In February, the Queen Victoria liner was forced to dock at the grain terminal and passengers had to wade through flooded temporary facilities.

Councillor Newman says he is disappointed the flagships of the world's largest cruise line will bypass the city next year.

He says a second terminal is needed down river from the bridge.

"We want Brisbane to be on the cruise-stop list for people in the South Pacific," he said.

"It's very important for the city and clearly if the draft issue associated with the current cruise terminal are coming into play, then we need to look at something adequate on the other side of the Gateway Bridge."

'Embarrassment'

State Opposition spokeswoman Fiona Simpson agrees.

"This is an embarrassment to the State Government and it's a blow to the tourism industry,' she said.

"The tourism industry is already struggling - this is good news for Cairns, bad news for Brisbane.

"There's really room in the market for a major facility in Brisbane that caters for tourists."

However, the Queensland Government says the larger liners will not be able to berth in Cairns either and talks are continuing about a second Brisbane terminal.

The State Government says a second cruise ship terminal in Brisbane is a 'long-term' prospect.

Deputy Premier Paul Lucas says he is speaking to the company about future options.

"There are terminal facilities available down at the Port of Brisbane," he said.

"They are not satisfactory, but we are dealing with taxpayers' money in many instances here and we are working with Carnival Cunard to have a look at what we might do in the future.

"The fact is the way the cruise tourism industry is growing we may indeed have an argument for two in the future."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/26/2286456.htm