Dredging work on Currambene Creek and a wharf upgrade at Huskisson has been fully funded and should be finished before next summer, according to Shoalhaven Council project manager Michael Strachan.

The period for public comment on the project’s Review of Environmental Factors closed this week.

“When completed, the work will allow cruise ships in Jervis Bay to use tenders to unload passengers at Huskisson,” Mr Strachan said.

He said the current situation, when low-tide obstructs access to the creek, is an issue for recreational and commercial use of the bay.

“Tourism is a growing industry in the Shoalhaven, and this work will bring greater access and certainty for all users.”

Mr Strachan said cruise ship operators were another stakeholder in the tourist industry, and take part in dialogue about the region’s tourism.

“They have not visited the bay for many years except to find shelter during bad weather, and certainly not to let off passengers.”

Before using the bay recreationally, cruise ship operators would have to obtain permits from the Department of Primary Industry’s Marine Parks. When contacted, Marine Parks was unable to confirm whether or not such permits had been issued to any operators.

There are some community concerns about visits by cruise ship in Jervis Bay. Cruise ships docking at Balmain are accused of causing illness and pollution because of the low grade “bunker fuel” they use. The fuel is banned in Europe and the North America, and the World Health Organisation considers it a grade-one carcinogen.