When it was originally announced, the city’s $12.9 million cruise terminal was slated for completion before this Christmas.
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But with only weeks until the holiday, it appears to be a gift that will not arrive before 2019, if at all.
Doubt has fallen over the funding for the project hailed as a game-changer by tourism chiefs when it was revealed in September 2016. The Port of Newcastle says it needs up to $4 million to proceed due to a “heated” construction market, while the Berejiklian government has ruled out spending more than its original promise of almost $13 million.
With an election looming, the deck may be reshuffled if the money is not tied down to a project in progress. A potential change of government means anything not literally set in stone is up for debate.
“There’s a lot of worthwhile community projects out there that could benefit from that sort of funding,” Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot McDonald said.
The day when Premier Mike Baird committed the money for the terminal was also when Newcastle had its status as a Supercars host city confirmed.
More than two years after Baird’s announcement, Newcastle is days away from its second Supercars race, a logistical exercise that both critics and supporters note for its transformational scale for the city’s east.
“It will encourage some of the greatest liners around the world to stop right here in the heart of Newcastle,” Mr Baird said of the mooted terminal in 2016.
Given the state funds pouring into Newcastle’s transformation, pouring up to another $4 million into a Labor stronghold may be a bridge too far for a Liberal government that has spent big here already during its term. But if that is the case, it is worth questioning what being the state’s second city truly means for the Hunter.
A $3.4 billion light rail awaits for western Sydney, with the city project at $2.1 billion. It is not for a city to be grateful for major projects, but to push its case for the best result convincingly.
P&O Cruises president Sture Myrmell in 2016 said the investment “reinforces the great reputation the people of Newcastle have earned”. Perhaps the lack of action on major infrastructure to welcome cruise ships will also contribute to the city’s reputation.
