Thoughts - Why the Cruiseship Terminal IS Vapourware...

To me it's becoming clearer that this whole thing is a crock of shite. Why? Well, I think it comes down to some simple arguments:

1. Katrina

With 1200+ units/houses to be constructed, that's a damned lot of permanent residents to stick out in a disaster waiting to happen. Not that it will necessarily stop councils desire to make it happen, but the reality of Hurricane Katrina will surely put a bite in the tail for any poor sod who wants to take out insurance.


2. Infrastructure & Population

So, just imagine 1200+ cars and perhaps 2400+ residents all rushing down Sir Leslie Thiess Drive to go about their business. Then add to that a night at the Crocs. Sorry, but it ain't gonna happen! There just isn't a significant enough of a drain out of this area to warrant the population. I do, however, think it might be a way of pressuring higher governments to fund the Port Access Road, thus freeing up the existing rail corridor and a new bridge across Ross Creek (at the end of the Strand) - in 10-15 years time!!! None of this will happen overnite, and at the rate state and federal goverment fund anything in regional Australia, it will probaly take longer.

3. Security

Presumably we want to park American warships in the new berth. Two problems (as pointed out recently by a letter to the editor). Firstly, imagine the outcry from residents when they have to live up next to a (potentially as they never tell us) Nuclear Reactor? Secondly, can you imagine the security cordon placed around the Amercians in the current climate. Surely residents movement MUST be hampered with blockades, etc in place for the duration of the visit...???

4. Pollution

Dust has again come under fire from the Port - yet we want to build a massive housing development within the main airflow corridor? Are we mad? Then there's the noise and light pollution that will spill onto the new neighbours.

Sorry folks - but this is a pipe dream. Question is, if this is the distraction, what's the main fare?