Australian Antarctic Division says no timeline for Macquarie Wharf upgrades, TasPorts disagrees

The $530m icebreaker Nuyina is at the centre of a disagreement between the Australian Antarctic Division and TasPorts, as the two parties struggle to finalise plans for a major port upgrade.

RSV Nuyina. Picture: Supplied

Outgoing Australian Antarctic Division boss Kim Ellis says there is still no timeline or works program for the planned upgrades to Macquarie Wharf, admitting it is a “problem” that the icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, still doesn’t have a dedicated wharf to berth in.

But TasPorts CEO Anthony Donald has strongly disputed Mr Ellis’s assessment of the situation, saying the government business had provided the Antarctic Division (AAD) with a “full, detailed commercial proposal” last October and was now just waiting for the division to sign off on it.

In a Senate estimates hearing on Wednesday, Tasmanian Greens senator Nick McKim asked Mr Ellis if wharf 6, the Nuyina’s proposed home port, was ready to accommodate the $528m research and resupply vessel.

Kim Ellis, Director, Australian Antarctic Division. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

“We still don’t have a conclusive berthing plan for the ship,” Mr Ellis said.

“Interim arrangements have been made with TasPorts to allow us to bring Polish shipping in. But we still don’t have a final development plan for wharf 6.

“For the time being, we are working with the Tasmanian government … and TasPorts to come up with a final berthing plan and then the infrastructure works that will support [it].”

Mr Ellis told the hearing that TasPorts informed the AAD at “the end of last year” that it was intending to “self-build” the works at wharf 6 but there were no “conclusive details of the works program, the commercial arrangements that they propose to enter into or the timeline for the development of that wharf”.

“It’s a bit of a problem, isn’t it?” Senator McKim said, to which Mr Ellis replied, “Yes, it is”.

Mr Donald, however, said TasPorts’ plans for Macquarie Wharf were “in fact, well advanced”.

Anthony Donald, TasPorts chief executive.

“A full, detailed commercial proposal (including engineering designs and a project plan with a timeline) for 30 years was provided to the AAD in October last year,” he said.

“The proposal was developed taking account of AAD’s specific requirements in consultation with it.

“TasPorts is awaiting a response [from the AAD].

“I will be clear, TasPorts is ready to immediately commence delivery of this project – it is shovel-ready – we are simply awaiting AAD’s formal agreement.”

Senator McKim described the port delay to the Mercury as “an abject shambles”.

RSV Nuyina. Picture: Supplied

“The Tasmanian government’s failings pose a significant risk to Tasmania’s Antarctic hub status and the massive reputational and economic benefits it brings to Hobart and Tasmania,” he said.

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said negotiations between TasPorts and the AAD were “well-advanced” and the government was looking forward to seeing “a positive outcome”.