These are an extension of the breakwater wharf, principally to accommodate cruise ships, and a wave attenuator (panel breakwater) to create a safe harbour for recreational, charter and smaller fishing vessels and enable construction of a marina and a range of onshore developments. 

This project comes at a critical time for Eden, and with all the discussion in the community about these important works for the town and the region, I would like reaffirm support of Port of Eden Marina Inc (POEM) for the wharf extension along with our strong commitment to the safe harbour/wave attenuator/marina development and related onshore construction program.

The wharf extension leading to around 25 cruise ship visits per year (Bega Valley Shire Council, Snug Cove Masterplan numbers) or 30 visits (Eden Chamber of Commerce numbers) would be a major boost for the region.

With around one cruise ship per week in the southern Australian cruise season over the six or seven warmest months, Eden would be the eighth busiest cruise port in Australia and the third busiest regional port after the Whitsundays and Cairns, based on official cruise industry statistics for 2012-13 (Cruise Downunder, Economic Impact Assessment of the Cruise Shipping Industry in Australia, annual pub.). 

Eden would be in the top category ahead of Port Douglas (18 visit days), Perth (17), Adelaide (12) and about 25 other regional ports around the coast. 

This will be a significant achievement at a time when cruise ship visits to Australian regional ports, other than north Queensland have dropped by about 40 per cent since 2008-9.

While the cruise ship industry is growing rapidly in terms of both number of visit days (19 per cent since 2008-09)and passenger capacity, nearly all of the growth is occurring in seven ports; Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Cairns, Darwin, Whitsunday and Hobart. 

These ports have increased their market share of visit days from 60 per cent in 2008-09 to over 80 per cent in 2012-13.

However, even at the regional port average for 2012-13, and Eden’s previous visit numbers, of about four to five per year, the cruise ship visits will assist the community.

Nevertheless, Eden needs the entire economic stimulus that can be achieved. 

Therefore, the rationale for State Government to support the safe harbour/attenuator component of the Snug Cove Redevelopment is based on two key points. 

Firstly, it will generate significant, sustained employment, investment and development that will make Eden the hub for recreational and charter boating and cruising for south east Australia.

Secondly, because the State is getting a bargain with the Commonwealth ($10 million) and the local ratepayers ($2 million) providing a $15 million wharf extension for a State outlay of only $3 million.

We are, therefore, encouraging government authorities to include both components in the overall redevelopment program, with some additional funding from the State.

We hope the State and the community can see the logic of what POEM is proposing.

Fritz Drenkhahn

President POEM

0427 359 820