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Wharf extension OPT

BuzzBuzzen

By BuzzBuzzen,
in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers

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gbenjo

gbenjo

Posted
Posted
After they finish the OPT, the government should work on some public transport options to White Bay, ferries would be best.:D

 

Unfortunately I think the problem with a ferry service to White Bay is there is nowhere to have a ferry wharf. The area in front of the terminal ( city side) is a privately owned marina and they need the area on the western side to berth ships

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gbenjo

gbenjo

Posted
Posted
Maybe all their excess transport budget will be needed to service James Packer's new casino?

 

 

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If James would have thought about it he could have built a cruise terminal into the casino and then have an extra couple of thousand people pass through the casino every time a ship came in.....no business sense that fella.:D

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OzKiwiJJ Great Review Rare

OzKiwiJJ

Posted
Posted
Unfortunately I think the problem with a ferry service to White Bay is there is nowhere to have a ferry wharf. The area in front of the terminal ( city side) is a privately owned marina and they need the area on the western side to berth ships

 

They wouldn't need that much space for ferry wharf for the small ferries surely? Looking at the Balmain East ferry wharf size on Google maps, it seems very small compared with the size of White Bay. Surely they could squeeze a ferry wharf in there somewhere. It seems very shortsighted that they built the new cruise terminal at White Bay without any public transport options other than expensive taxis, especially options that could easily transport tourists to the CBD or Circular Quay.

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gbenjo

gbenjo

Posted
Posted
They wouldn't need that much space for ferry wharf for the small ferries surely? Looking at the Balmain East ferry wharf size on Google maps, it seems very small compared with the size of White Bay. Surely they could squeeze a ferry wharf in there somewhere. It seems very shortsighted that they built the new cruise terminal at White Bay without any public transport options other than expensive taxis, especially options that could easily transport tourists to the CBD or Circular Quay.

 

Apparently it was considered but I think it was a financial problem (not enough:().

 

There is talk of a light rail route to Balmain which would /could service the terminal but nothing definite so far.

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OzKiwiJJ Great Review Rare

OzKiwiJJ

Posted
Posted (edited)
Apparently it was considered but I think it was a financial problem (not enough:().

 

There is talk of a light rail route to Balmain which would /could service the terminal but nothing definite so far.

 

Seems very short sighted to me. At the very least I would have expected them to allocate some space for a future ferry wharf if it was too costly to build immediately.

 

If they ever get around to building a second airport in Sydney I hope they don't run into a similar financial problem regarding public transport. Imagine the taxi fares if it was sited in the Southern Highlands :eek: ;)

Edited by OzKiwiJJ
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GUT2407

GUT2407

Posted
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Seems very short sighted to me. At the very least I would have expected them to allocate some space for a future ferry wharf if it was too costly to build immediately.

 

If they ever get around to building a second airport in Sydney I hope they don't run into a similar financial problem regarding public transport. Imagine the taxi fares if it was sited in the Southern Highlands :eek: ;)

 

 

Ha Ha Ha all the infrastructure in place.:eek:

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The_Big_M

The_Big_M

Posted
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If James would have thought about it he could have built a cruise terminal into the casino and then have an extra couple of thousand people pass through the casino every time a ship came in.....no business sense that fella.:D

 

Hehe. :-)

 

Even better, he could have linked up with the Chinese high-roller market and brought them down on Quantum. :D

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The_Big_M

The_Big_M

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Seems very short sighted to me. At the very least I would have expected them to allocate some space for a future ferry wharf if it was too costly to build immediately.

 

Same old story with underfunded government spending on public transport in NSW.

 

They built a dodgy government railway station at Wolli Creek back in the late 90s, to connect to the airport line built for the Olympics. The public funded one was terribly disjointed and only had (and still only has) half a connection - which causes problems for trackwork or failures.

 

And then you compare it to the brilliant privately built stations, which used best practice design... that was too sophisticated for even Cityrail to handle. :rolleyes: Chalk and cheese.

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gaechann

gaechann

Posted
Posted
Hehe. :-)

 

 

 

Even better, he could have linked up with the Chinese high-roller market and brought them down on Quantum. :D

 

 

Aha! The real reason for the extensions presently being undertaken at the OPT?:)

 

 

 

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gaechann

gaechann

Posted
Posted
Wanna bet:D

 

 

No Graham thanks! :) With Quantum being based in Asia along with other RCI ships, it appears they're gambling on attracting many who love to bet onboard & they allow smoking in the Casinos too whilst in Asian waters.

 

 

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gaechann

gaechann

Posted
Posted (edited)

I've taken lots of photos of the work being undertaken from the deck of Rhapsody when I boarded this morning. Will attach them here after I return home next week.

To my mind there's still heaps to do so maybe it won't be completed this summer season.

In spite of the shambles the place is in at the moment, our embarkment went very smoothly with just 20 minutes from arrival at the white tent then upstairs for registration until we were onboard!

Well done Graham & crew! It went very smoothly. Obviously well organised! Was surprised to see two shore staff just as we entered the ship helping with the presentation of our sea pass cards before we boarded. Didn't see the famous Graham again but this time didn't ask for him as all the staff were very busy!

Gae

 

 

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Edited by gaechann
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goodycruising

goodycruising

Posted
Posted

Good news Gae, I am pleased you got on quickly. We are counting down the days till we go later this month. :) Look forward to hearing about your trip. We are going on Rhapsody in Feb, and expect it to be a bit different from nearly 4 years ago. :D

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gbenjo

gbenjo

Posted
Posted
I've taken lots of photos of the work being undertaken from the deck of Rhapsody when I boarded this morning. Will attach them here after I return home next week.

To my mind there's still heaps to do so maybe it won't be completed this summer season.

In spite of the shambles the place is in at the moment, our embarkment went very smoothly with just 20 minutes from arrival at the white tent then upstairs for registration until we were onboard!

Well done Graham & crew! It went very smoothly. Obviously well organised! Was surprised to see two shore staff just as we entered the ship helping with the presentation of our sea pass cards before we boarded. Didn't see the famous Graham again but this time didn't ask for him as all the staff were very busy!

Gae

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

I was there Gae ....check in desk #20 ....until I had to go a assist security to sort out a rather long queue going through the scanners:eek:

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gbenjo

gbenjo

Posted
Posted (edited)
How can we spot you Graham? We will have to spot you somehow to say hi! :)

 

Just look for the guy with the movie star looks:D:D:D I usually do priority check in which is the end down towards customs but just ask the directional staff upstairs for Graham or Benjo and they will point me out:eek: Are you sailing on the 26th October?

Edited by gbenjo
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mr walker Holiday Sharing Rare

mr walker

Posted
Posted

We arrived in on Rhapsody from Honolulu yesterday. Disembarking was fine, although delayed maybe 20' from our time slot of 8:30, but hey we were on a cruise-ship & not at work! Getting off and thru the terminal was excellent.

 

Once outside the terminal the DISASTER began. Traffic was at a complete standstill and the 'traffic controllers' seemed to have no idea how to fix it. Our shuttle bus driver was stuck in a queue for more than 30' just to go around the roundabout and get back to the bus area. The controllers were allowing buses/cars to stop right at the terminal exit & it was complete gridlock. I overheard one guy saying he worked for Intercruisers & was apologising to passengers for the delay.

 

A representative from RC approached us and apologised for the delays - she was not happy & I guess RC will be working to fix this before tomorrow when the ship returns.

 

Hope the traffic management people can get their act together!

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