The Adelaide - we've got it!

NSW Premier Nathan Rees was advised in late June that the Department of Defence had approved the funding and the project can now move ahead smoothly.

It now appears that Mr Thompson has been working behind the scenes on the project since the middle of last year. “This was always a Central Coast issue,” said Mr Thompson. “The Adelaide dive-site will be a very important tourist attraction, particularly as Terrigal is so close to Sydney and will have a significant impact on our tourism industry and create more jobs.”

Towards the end of 2008 it became known that there had been a cost blow-out of around $2.8 million in the cost of sinking the vessel and the NSW Government had said that they would not accept the vessel.

“We knew that the previous Federal Government had paid for the [HMAS] Canberra as they had with the [HMAS] Brisbane. It was only fair that NSW should get the same treatment,” said Mr Thompson.

Commenting on the news Central Coast Tourism CEO, Horst Endrulat said, “This is excellent news because we have been testing the market and getting a very positive response.”

“At the Australian Tourism Exchange in Melbourne last month we were promoting the Adelaide as a dive site along with Killarney Vale dive operator, Pro-Dive, and the response was overwhelming. Wholesalers who have an interest in dive tourism showed a real interest because this will be a new dive site and so close to Sydney.

“The Adelaide will not only be of interest to divers. We have many ideas that will make it a great tourist attraction. In addition it will provide the Central Coast with a promotional icon because we will be the only place in NSW with naval ship for a dive site,” said Mr Endrulat.

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