Feds fund $188m in wharf upgrades to keep Antarctic program in Hobart
The federal government will fund $188m in wharf upgrades for Hobart — securing the future of the Australian Antarctic program in Hobart for the next 30 years. The details revealed.
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The federal government will fund $188m in wharf upgrades for Hobart — securing the future of the Australian Antarctic program in Hobart for the next 30 years.
The money will be used to redeveloping the crumbling Macquarie Wharf 6 as a permanent home for the icebreaker RSV Nuyina.
Redeveloping the wharf is one of the key terms the state must meet to unlock $240m in federal funding for the Macquarie Point Urban Renewal Project, including the proposed AFL stadium.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was pleased the agreement would cement Hobart’s role in supporting Antarctic and Southern Ocean science.
“What this means is Tasmania will remain Australia’s gateway to Antarctica, as it should be.
“This is an investment in Hobart, an investment in Tasmania and an investment in the future of Australian science.”
Under the agreement, to be announced on Wednesday, the state will provide priority access to Macquarie Wharf 6 as the home port for RSV Nuyina for the next 30 years, continued access to existing portside facilities during the construction period, access to shoreside power, and a refuelling solution for RSV Nuyina in the Port of Hobart.
TasPorts has banned the vessel from passing under the Tasman Bridge to reach refuelling facilities at Selfs Point, forcing it to travel to Burnie to refuel.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the deal was great news for Tasmania.
“This agreement secures a fit-for-purpose home port for the Nuyina and locks in Tasmania’s future as the home of the Australian Antarctic Program,” he said.
“As part of the agreement we will also deliver appropriate refuelling infrastructure for the Nuyina and other vessels coming into Hobart.
“Tasmania has a proud heritage of supporting Antarctic and Southern Ocean endeavours with explorers and scientists using the port of Hobart as a base for expeditions since the 19th century.
“As part of our Government’s 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, we will continue to promote and develop our world-leading Antarctic Gateway to grow jobs, maritime services, trade and investment, education, science and research, and visitor opportunities.”
Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek said she knew how important being Australia’s gateway to Antarctica was to Tasmania.
“It’s absolutely fantastic that we’ve reached an agreement so the Australian Antarctic Program will have fit-for-purpose wharf infrastructure so they can continue world-leading Antarctic science based out of Hobart,” she said.
“The Antarctic and Southern Ocean sector employs nearly 1,000 people in Tasmania and contributes more than $183m each year to the Tasmanian economy.
“That’s why we’ve contributed $188m towards a new home for the Nuyina and it’s why we have increased funding for the Australian Antarctic Division by more than half a billion since coming to government.”
Wharf construction will be managed by the Tasmanian Government and will begin next year.
The breakthrough agreement comes after TasPorts was sidelined from long-running negotiations between the state and federal government after being accused of price-gouging for demanding $515m over 30 years to redevelop with wharf — the equivalent of 14 times the current cost.
TasPorts CEO Anthony Donald said it was the Australian Antarctic Division’s fault for failure “to plan ahead.”
“They have invested in a new, larger state of the art vessel without planning for where it could be berthed,” he said.
A similar problem has affected TT-Line’s new ferries.
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