ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION
THE CSIRO would relocate from its prime Castray Esplanade site to a new Antarctic Anta Precinct at Macquarie Point under unde a plan recommended by a government-backed ernm Senate inquiry.
The Th inquiry into Australia’s Antarctic Territory paints a vision of Hobart as a the international gateway and cruise centre for the Antarctic sector.
It says that as the nation’s Antarctic science sc hub, relevant government agencies agen — such as the CSIRO and the city-based c Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources — should be co-located at Macquarie Point.
State Growth Minister Peter Gutwein said Hobart now had “the potential to become a world-leading science hub, which would unlock significant investment and create jobs”.
The CSIRO’s move would open up a prime piece of waterfront land for development and Mr Gutwein last night confirmed he was “working through these opportunities with the Federal Government”.
A BOLD plan to make Hobart’s waterfront the gateway to Antarctic science and tourism has been recommended by a Federal Parliament Senate inquiry.
The final report of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories inquiry into Australia’s Antarctic Territory was handed down yesterday. It lays out the vision for the future of Australia’s Antarctic development with Hobart as the linchpin.
The report says the Federal Government’s City Deal is key to cementing Hobart as the international gateway and cruise centre for the emerging Antarctic sector and a broad timeline should be achieved as part of those City Deal negotiations.
“Hobart is well situated to capitalise on Australia’s renewed Antarctic focus,” committee chairman Ben Morton said.
“A number of initiatives, such as enhancements to aviation capability at Hobart Airport, a proposed Antarctic science hub, and the potential development of Antarctic tourism, give rise to valuable opportunities.” The report said Hobart should be Australia’s Antarctic science hub and that relevant Australian Government agencies CSIRO, CCAMLR, the Tasmanian Polar Network, parts of the Bureau of Meteorology, and components of the Australian Antarctic Division should be co-located in the southern capital.
It said the CSIRO — housed in a prime location on Hobart’s Castray Esplanade — should also be relocated to the Antarctic Precinct.
“Hobart’s potential as a key international destination for the Antarctic sector is immense,” it said.
“The investment being brought to the city as a result of Antarctic science and infrastructure activity only enhances this reputation”.
The Antarctic sector is worth $442 million to the Tasmanian economy annually and employs 1185 people.
Federal Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg said the Coalition was investing record amounts in Antarctic science including $1.9 billion for a state-of-the-art icebreaker, $50 million for a replacement station on Macquarie Island and $45 million for an overland traverse capability to help search for a millionyear-old ice core.
The Federal Government’s commitment to $107 million for a paved runway to provide year-round access to Davis research station, coupled with the recent runway extension at Hobart Airport, would also enhance opportunities.
The report expressed concern that the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre was due to finish in June 2019 and urged Australian and Tasmanian Government efforts to ensure that the work of the research centre could continue.
Tasmanian Polar Network chairman Richard Fader said he hoped the report would give some impetus to the movement to Macquarie Point.
“AAD and the Antarctic sector need some certainty over what is happening over the next five years,” Mr Fader said.
Denison MP Andrew Wilkie said the committee’s recommendations to develop a year-round air link and build the Antarctic precinct at Macquarie Point were especially pleasing developments.
“However, the Government’s track record has been to cut funding from the Australian Antarctic Division, so unless they actually commit to implement these recommendations and not just pay lip service, then all of this will ring hollow,” he said.