Port holds back hub plan

ENTICING more countries to base their Antarctic programs in Hobart is unlikely to succeed without improved facilities, says TasPorts.

In a submission to a parliamentary inquiry into the Australian Antarctic Territory, TasPorts said developing better port infrastructure would help Hobart become a greater international hub for countries conducting Antarctic research.

“Tasmania is a logistically attractive gateway due to its proximity to the East Antarctic region,” it said.

“In the absence of adequate port and refuelling capabilities, efforts to attract other nations are unlikely to succeed.”

TasPorts has done work to enable more flexible use of the working berths at Macquarie Point for cruise ships, cargo ships and Antarctic vessels.

Macquarie Wharf 2 already houses the Australian Antarctic Division’s cargo and biosecurity centre but now TasPorts is investigating how a proposed Antarctic and science precinct could be implemented at Macquarie Point.

This could include a logistics precinct to accommodate Australia’s new icebreaker, the Nuyina, before its delivery in April 2020.

French vessel L’Astrolabe already docks in the city, as does US boat the Nathaniel B Palmer and the Chinese ship Xue Long. Korean ship Araon is expected in next week.

TasPorts’ submission also called for an $8 million fuel barge for the Nuyina to refuel at Macquarie Wharf.

The barge would accommo- date international research vessels. However, TasPorts’ demand projections do not deliver a sufficient return.

Tasmanian Polar Network chairman Richard Fader said the state was already more equipped than other gateway countries.

“Part of getting Nuyina’s infrastructure better is to make it better for other international vessels,” Mr Fader said.

Other submissions included calls from the Macquarie Point Development Corporation for an Antarctic and science precinct. Hobart Airport also called for a year-round runway at Davis Station and development of the Wilkins Runway near Casey Station.

Both would tie in with the airport runway extension’s ability to facilitate Globemaster flights to the icy continent.