’Disappointment’ over lack of progress on proposed Macquarie Point Antarctic precinct

The Australian Antarctic Division’s 10-year lease extension at its Kingston HQ has largely been welcomed – but it’s also sparked fresh concerns over the future of a proposed Antarctic and Science Precinct at Macquarie Point.

Australian Antarctic Division headquarters at Kingston, Tasmania. Picture: Simon Payne/AAD

The Australian Antarctic Division’s 10-year lease extension for its Kingston headquarters will provide “certainty” for the 1000 people employed in the sector, according to a leading stakeholder, who also says it is “disappointing” that the proposed Antarctic and Science Precinct at Macquarie Point has not progressed.

The Mercury revealed on Thursday that the AAD had exercised a lease option for the privately owned 203 Channel Hwy property in which it’s based. This will see the division remain at its long-time Kingston home for at least another 10 years.

It comes in the wake of a push for the AAD to be shifted to Macquarie Point and co-located with the CSIRO and the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Science in a much-vaunted Antarctic and Science Precinct.

Richard Fader, Chairman Tasmanian Polar Network at Macquarie Wharf. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

The proposal is part of the Hobart City Deal but looks to have hit a snag after the division opted to extend its stay at Kingston.

Tasmanian Polar Network (TPN) chairman Richard Fader said while it was “very pleasing” to have “certainty” in relation to the AAD’s headquarters, he expressed concern that the Macquarie Point plan appeared to have stalled.

“I think it shouldn’t be off the agenda,” he said.

“We’d like to see the CSIRO move across [to Macquarie Point], the university move across – I think that would just be good for the state and good for Hobart. It would open up Princes Wharf to further, more appropriate development, it would enhance our tourism industry, it would enhance our scientific capability. There’s huge advantages in it.”

Macquarie Point. Picture: Chris Kidd

The TPN has more than 70 member organisations and represents the state’s broader Antarctic sector, which is worth $160m a year to the Tasmanian economy.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the AAD’s decision was “a matter for them” but it did secure the division’s “long-term commitment to Tasmania and Hobart as a gateway city”.

Franklin Labor MHR Julie Collins said she was “absolutely delighted” the AAD’s Kingston lease had been renewed and that it was “something I’ve fought for because I know how important the AAD is to the Kingborough community”.

Julie Collins MP. Picture: Linda Higginson

But Labor MLC Sarah Lovell described the AAD’s lease extension as “confirmation of yet another project not being delivered at Macquarie Point” and that it “signals the end” for the Antarctic and Science Precinct proposal.

“As well as being another massive lost opportunity for Tasmania’s economy, the precinct’s abandonment casts further doubt on the Liberals’ ability to manage the delivery of any project at Macquarie Point,” she said.

A draft Macquarie Point Precinct Plan was published in October and included upgrades to Macquarie Wharf 6 to support the RSV Nuyina and provide space for an “Antarctic Facilities Zone”.

Originally published as ’Disappointment’ over lack of progress on proposed Macquarie Point Antarctic precinct