Luxury ship’s visit to cost us

Andrew Mathieson
GEELONG’S council will pay $35,000 to help a foreign ship dock for 11 hours in Corio Bay.
Councillors endorsed the payment this week for the Holland America Line cruise ship Staten-dam to visit Geelong’s port on January 7.
The Statendam owners had expressed an interest in a ship call to Geelong after finding Melb-ourne’s Station Pier was unavailable.
The Independent revealed earlier this year that the luxury ship was set to visit Geelong where it would be longer than Cunning-ham Pier.
The ship’s 1800 passengers pay almost $2500 a night for suites.
Council tourism and major events portfolio-holder Bruce Harwood expected “some angst” over ratepayers footing the bill.
But he believed the payment was a worthwhile investment, saying the ship’s visit would bring in economic and tourism benefits worth an estimated $350,000.
“I can assure you, it’s an event, the sort of thing people will come to visit,” he said.
Cr Harwood expected Geelong retailers in particular would benefit from the ship’s international passengers, with 60 to 70 per cent expected to embark on local tours.
Cr Harwood said the City’s outlay would include payment for use of facilities associated with quarantine and custom services.
Other costs related to security, temporary infrastructure and compliance with the Maritime Tran-sport and Offshore Security Act.
Cr Jan Farrell refused to support council footing the bill.
“I don’t know why (the ship) won’t pay it’s own way,” she said.