TIME TO GET WHARVES SHIP-SHAPE
SINCE European settlement, Hobart has always had a working port that supplied ships arriving from far shores. Its deep waters have been the envy of many port cities and allowed easy access for big ships and the export and import of goods from across the world.
As Australia’s southernmost dock, the city has hosted those interested in the Antarctic continent for more than a century, with a steady stream of explorers and scientists launching trips south from Tasmania’s capital.
In more recent years, the growth of the cruise ship industry has also emerged, bringing an increasing number of large vessels – and thousands of cashed-up tourists – to our shores to tie up at our wharves.
Hobart’s reputation as a major gateway to the Antarctic and as one of the world’s must-visit cruise destinations now appears to be under threat.
Writing in today’s Talking Point pages, the four mayors of Greater Hobart – Anna Reynolds, Doug Chipman, Bec Thomas and Paula Wriedt – warn that the city’s hard-won port trade is in jeopardy because the wharves at Macquarie Point urgently need an upgrade.
The ravages of time have weakened the infrastructure at Macquarie Wharfs 4, 5 and 6.
The Tasmanian Polar Network says so-called concrete cancer now prevents heavy vehicle access to much of the wharf area and there are too few berths to meet growing demand. Poor design also means there is no ability for large ships to connect to the power grid.
At present, the wharf is home to the new icebreaker RSV Nuyina – now overseas for scheduled maintenance – as well as dozens of cruise ships. But the ageing infrastructure means Hobart is struggling to meet those demands.
Network chairman Richard Fader says an $120m upgrade is urgently needed to meet expanding business from Antarctic supply vessels or the state risks losing custom to rival ports in places such as New Zealand.
Each supply ship’s visit is worth between $1m-$2m to local businesses and there is potential for Hobart to attract vessels from the US, South Korea, Japan and possibly China. The industry is estimated to be worth $230m a year.
TasPorts recently hosted Infrastructure Australia who inspected the wharves.
The state port authority is now finalising a business case to be submitted for funding from the federal government for the upgrades.
Hobart’s port facilities have been deteriorating for years and it begs the question why the problems have not been addressed before now.
One hopes that Hobart can secure the money needed to restore and improve our port and that it can continue to expand its role in supporting the work of Antarctic science and meeting the demands of industry and tourism.