Media release – Sussan Ley, Minister for the Environment, 25 November 2021
Future investment planned as Antarctica environment protected
The Morrison Government will protect Antarctica’s pristine wilderness by not proceeding with a decision to build a 2700m concrete runway at Australia’s Davis research station, following a detailed environmental and economic assessment.
Further investment is now planned to bolster Australia’s scientific and environmental interests in Antarctica, with announcements to be made in the near future.
The decision sends a clear message about Australia’s commitment to due process and robust environmental assessment.
The detailed environmental and economic assessment will help inform future investment in new scientific, environmental and strategic capabilities that better serve Australia’s national interest and protect the environmental values that underpin the Antarctic Treaty System.
Environment Minister Sussan Ley said final approval from the Commonwealth Government was always contingent on a final investment decision next year and careful consideration of the environmental impact, economic investment and broader national interest considerations.
“All nations need to place the Antarctic environment at the absolute centre of decision making and respect the Treaty system,” Minister Ley said.
“The Government is now considering further investments in our scientific research and environmental programs in Antarctica that continue to create jobs and investment for Tasmania, the international gateway to East Antarctica.
“Over the last five years the Government has thoroughly researched the runway option in a way that has greatly increased our understanding of this unique terrestrial and marine environment, which will help inform our future investment.
“It is now clear that higher projected costs, potential environmental impacts, and the complexity of a 20-year construction process in an extreme and sensitive environment, are such that we will now focus on alternative options for expanding our wider Antarctic Program capability.
“There will be significant announcements on Australia’s enhanced capability in the near future while we continue to protect the environment and create jobs.”
The Australian Antarctic Program continues to operate its intercontinental ice runway at Wilkins Aerodrome through summer with enhanced maritime support from the state-of-the-art RSV Nuyina now based in Hobart.
“Our $1.9 billion investment in the Nuyina, the world’s most advanced polar research vessel, already increases our strategic presence across the continent through its ability to support medium-lift helicopters, and semi-autonomous vehicles,” Minister Ley said.
Media release – Peterr Whish-Wilson, Senator for lutruwita/Tasmania, 25 November 2021
Davis Aerodrome
The Greens welcome the Federal Government walking away from the Davis Aerodrome Antarctic runway project.
“Today’s decision is a win for commonsense and the environment,” Greens Healthy Oceans spokesperson Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said.
“The Greens have been working in the Senate over many years with community groups and other stakeholders to scrutinise the Government’s vague and concerning plans for a massive concrete runway in arguably the planet’s most fragile and significant wild ecosystem.”
“Yesterday the Senate voted down the Greens’ order for production of documents that would have detailed considerations of alternative proposals as well as the business and environmental plans for this controversial project.”
“Given the timing of today’s unexpected announcement it is fair to ask if perhaps detailed plans never existed?”
“This is a win for the Bob Brown Foundation and others who have rung the alarm bell and raised public awareness on this plan.”
Media release – Bob Brown Foundation, 25 November 2021
Antarctica saved from concrete
After a vigorous campaign by Bob Brown Foundation, Antarctica will be saved from the Morrison government’s proposed 2.7km long concrete airport at Davis station, Antarctica.
“It’s a huge backdown by the government and a win for the bulk of Australian Antarctic scientists who opposed 115,000 tonnes of concrete being transported south to build the biggest human intrusion ever on the wilderness continent,” Bob Brown Foundation Antarctic campaigner Alistair Allan said today in Hobart.
The Australian Antarctic Division/Australian Government announced that it will not be proceeding with plans to build a giant concrete airport in Antarctica. This unprecedented project would have increased the human disturbance footprint on the continent by a staggering 40%. The decision is the correct one, given that Antarctica is one of the worlds last great wildernesses that deserves protection not industrial destruction.
“Today’s announcement is brilliant news for Antarctica,” said Alistair Allan, Bob Brown Foundation Antarctic Campaigner.
“This concrete airport was going to encase the homes of penguins, seals and petrels in 115,000 tonnes of concrete. Now, these animals can carry on living in this precious ecosystem undisturbed.”
“We have been campaigning against the airport since the Foundation started focusing on the protection of Antarctica,” said Bob Brown.
“To all the Antarctic scientists and expeditioners, and to the community at large, we thank you for your amazing efforts to make your voice heard and expose just how destructive this concrete airport would have been.”
Antarctica is facing unprecedented threats due to climate change, fishing pressures and tourism. This airport was, up until today, one of those threats. There is still lots to do to protect Antarctica and the animals that live there, but abandoning this destructive project is certainly a step in the right direction.
“There has been a concerted push by academics and strategists that geopolitical posturing and competition meant that the Antarctic environment was the unfortunate but necessary loser in this proposal. The Australian government has done the right thing by putting the Antarctic environment first. This proposal should be permanently relegated to the history books and the idea of laying hundreds of thousands of tonnes of concrete in such an incredible ecosystem chalked up as a bad idea, with catastrophe avoided,” said Alistair Allan
“We will take some Tasmanian champagne off the ice to celebrate. This is an environmental win of global significance. We laud the scientists in the Australian Antarctic Division who were in rebellion against the airport. It was a $100,000 legacy to our foundation from former Australian Antarctic base leader, Louise Crossley which enabled our campaign,” said Bob Brown.
