Airline pilots have warned that a cruise ship terminal near Sydney Airport could make it difficult to land planes safely, as opposition grows towards the Berejiklian government's push to build a passenger hub at Botany Bay.
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The state government is considering two sites -- Yarra Bay and Molineaux Point — on the north side of the bay as locations for a third cruise ship terminal as the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay and White Bay struggle to keep up with passenger numbers.
It will also investigate using Hayes Dock in Port Botany as an interim cruise terminal once the longer-term site has been decided.
Australian and International Pilots' Association vice president Shane Loney feared large passenger ships at the Hayes Dock site could prevent the airport operating "safely and efficiently".
"We should not be putting obstacles there that make it more difficult to land a plane safely," he said.
Mr Loney said the amount of airspace required to be free of obstacles was 45 metres above the airport in that area, while cruise ships could reach 65 metres above high tide.
"The [obstacle limitation surface] is intended to provide clear airspace for aircraft manoeuvring and these ships would represent a significant obstacle close to the runway end.
"While easily seen, circumstances may prevent a pilot from being able to avoid it."
He said large ships could create turbulence in strong winds that was rough enough to cause "control difficulties" for aircraft.
He did not hold the same fears for the two long-term sites, saying: "We haven't done any detailed analysis but I suspect they would be far enough away that we wouldn't be too concerned about it."
The union's concerns follow Randwick Council's unanimous decision this week to oppose a cruise passenger hub in the area amid growing community opposition. It will urge the government to consider alternative sites.
Mayor Lindsay Shurey said the council would also push for Yarra Bay Beach and Frenchman's Beach to be state heritage-listed to stave off development.
“The introduction of a cruise ship terminal places these assets at serious risk of degradation and would introduce further issues of traffic congestion, environmental destruction and land-use pressures."
Save The Bay Coalition spokesman Bill Burst said residents had rallied against any plan to develop Yarra Bay, which he said was the last untouched beach on the north side of Botany Bay.
"We've got the biggest airport, the biggest cargo freight, the biggest industrial precinct. Now it's, what else do you want to take? We'll fight to the death, that's what the local community's saying."
The federal government's decision in July to rule out Garden Island to house cruising ships forced the state government into preparing a strategic business case to assess the viability of the two bay sites.
A spokeswoman for NSW Roads, Maritime and Freight Minister Melinda Pavey said that was the first step in a detailed process for understanding the feasibility and location of new cruise infrastructure.
"Before any decision is made, the NSW government will consult extensively with the community and undertake detailed environmental studies."
Meanwhile, the government says it will boost use of berths at White Bay and explore options to maximise the number of passengers able to come into the Overseas Passenger Terminal.
Maroubra Labor MP Michael Daley said Yarra Bay was unacceptable as a cruise terminal site.
"Sharing Garden Island occasionally is the best option for everyone."
Sydney Business Chamber president Patricia Forsythe emphasised there had been no final decision on a location for the terminal and said Randwick councillors had "jumped ahead".
She was "extremely disappointed" the council had "basically thumbed its nose" at jobs and opportunities. "Councils have to be a leader in promoting their local economy."
