Shellharbour City Council has thrown its support behind a proposal for Port Kembla to become home to a naval base, although the decision was not unanimous.
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In a mayoral minute, Cr Marianne Saliba argued that significant economic development would flow to Shellharbour City if Sydney’s Garden Island naval base were to relocate to Port Kembla.
A strategy to promote Port Kembla as a future base for the Australian Navy is being developed by regional stakeholders after Illawarra-based Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells raised the idea in a submission made to a defence force white paper on Australia’s future defence capabilities.
However, independent councillor Peter Moran said he would hope any decision made about major defence operational matters would be made by the Defence Department for reasons of defence strategy.
‘‘If Port Kembla is an appropriate base I would like Defence to come to that determination based on its knowledge and needs of the armed forces,’’ Cr Moran said.
‘‘I don’t really see a point in having a bunch of politicians saying we want you to move here based on the economic benefits for our local area. I think it is a short-sighted way for politicians to become involved in operational matters that pertain to the defence of our nation.
‘‘I don’t see a role for local government in this...it really gets my goat when politicians start having a go in matters such as this, we should leave it to the experts.’’
However, Cr John Murray said one of the considerations taken into account when departments decided to make a move was the community acceptance where a proposed facility was going.
Cr Murray said at the very least it was important symbolically to show that the council was in favour and supportive of the move.
Cr Kellie Marsh said it was ‘‘a wonderful recognition and tribute’’ for the mayor to support the Liberal senator’s idea.
Cr Saliba said the federal government had released the white paper to encourage politicians and the community to participate in the discussion about Defence.
‘‘I can imagine those working out of Garden Island would be happy to stay there...but if they are looking for somewhere else I would be waving the flag and saying come to the Illawarra,’’ she said.
