Community disappointed as NSW Government still considering Jervis Bay as cruise ship destination

While the plan is in draft stages, there are multiple cruise holidays being advertised online with Jervis Bay as a destination in their itineraries.

The draft NSW Mainland Marine Park Network Management Plan was released earlier this week and reflects the sentiments that were in the leaked plan.

"The cruise ship industry has identified opportunities to expand in Jervis Bay," the draft plan outlines.

"The cruise ship industry can make a valued contribution to regional economies, but it is important that activities do not have a negative impact on other marine park values."

The NSW government is asking for feedback on the plan's objectives and said a risk assessment would be undertaken to inform sustainable cruise ship visitation policies in marine parks.

Related: Leaked draft plans show cruise ships industry could expand to Jervis Bay

Community concerns

Member of the Jervis Bay community cruise ship coalition (JBCCC), Penny Davidson, said the community is disappointed to see the NSW Government is still considering bringing cruises to the area, but is glad the plans are in the open.

"We're incredibly disappointed that they didn't pick up on the community concern about cruise ships," she said.

"But we're very glad it's finally been released after the months of hints."

Ms Davidson said considering the marine park is environmentally sensitive, she would like to see evidence showing how cruise ships would economically benefit the area.

"It's the only marine park we have in the Shoalhaven and it's of major importance we protect it in a pristine way," she said.

"We'd like to see actual evidence of cruise ships having a positive economic impact...and the impacts they would have on other economic industries in Jervis Bay, like the dolphin ships, the mussel farms, the dive tourism and so on."

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Independent MLC Justin Field criticised the NSW Government's marine park plan which aims to conserve marine parks.

He said marine parks cannot be effectively be protected if cruise ships are allowed into sensitive areas.

"It's entirely counterintuitive to try and improve the environmental values of the marine park...and then section off a portion of it to make it available for the cruise industry," he said.

"There's no place in our marine parks for industrialisation."

Tickets advertised

Tickets for cruise ship holidays that include Jervis Bay as a stop are advertised online.

While some cruise ship companies plan their itineraries in advance and are not set in stone, tickets have already been sold for Ponant Cruises 'Treasures Of The South Australian Coast And Tasmania' holiday, which lists Jervis Bay as a stop for one day in December, 2022.

A spokeswoman for the NSW Port Authority said it currently has no plans in place to bring cruises to Jervis Bay.

"Port Authority of NSW has met with various stakeholders to better understand potential opportunities to expand regional cruise," the spokeswoman said.

"As a result, Jervis Bay is not being considered by Port Authority as a cruise destination at this time, and there are no current plans, proposals or strategies to expand regional cruise in the area."

Shoalhaven City Council confirmed the NSW Port Authority were assessing the state's coastlines to determine any opportunities for cruise visitation at regional ports, including Jervis Bay.

However, the assessment was put on hold due to Australia's COVID-19 cruise ship ban.

The Shoalhaven City Council's acting city futures director, Coralie Bell, said the Port Authority reassured council that if there are any future plans involving cruise ships for Jervis Bay, it would hold local community and stakeholder sessions before decisions are made.

Mr Field said he would be putting questions to the government about how cruise ship companies were advertising holidays prior to community consultation.

Australia's cruise ship ban is still in place.

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