Plain sailing for Cairns
A CRUISE ship terminal at Townsville is unlikely to be built soon, meaning Cairns should hold the aces over its southern rival for some time to come.
Premier Anna Bligh said yesterday her Government was committed to building a new Townsville terminal, one that would have accommodated the USS Essex.
The USS Essex was turned away from Townsville, meaning thousands of cashed up American sailors are set to flood Cairns and the Far North instead.
The 257m vessel is expected to arrive in Cairns on Sunday morning and is expected to stay for a week.
The Cairns Post received a mixed response to yesterday’s article about the impending arrival of the Essex.
"Bring it on! The town’s economy needs the boost. My experience of US sailors was that they were usually courteous and polite," one correspondent wrote.
"Here’s something for them to do. Clean up after themselves," a less impressed correspondent wrote.
Some sailors sent text messages in advance, promising to be well behaved and looking forward to their Far Northern experience.
Meanwhile, Ms Bligh said an environmental impact survey into the Townsville terminal was under way.
"It’s very unfortunate it wasn’t there for this ship but the circumstances underline just how important the Government’s commitment to this terminal is."
The bungle has drawn fire from Townsville business leaders who fear the city’s reputation has been marred.
Sailors from USS Essex were expected to inject $10 million into Townsville’s economy during their eight-day shore leave ahead of an American-Australian military exercise, Talisman Sabre 09.
The Townsville Port Authority said the two suitable berths for the 257m-long amphibious assault ship would be occupied for most of the US navy’s planned visit from June 29 to July 6.
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Hello sailors: Mixed reactions have followed the announcement that the USS Essex will stop in Cairns.
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