The Albanese Government has secured Hobart’s future as the home port of Australia’s icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, and the long-term future of the Australian Antarctic Program in Tasmania.

An agreement between the Federal and Tasmanian Governments for a new, fit-for-purpose Macquarie Wharf 6 has been reached, locking in Tasmania as Australia’s Antarctic and Southern Ocean Gateway.

The Albanese Government will contribute $188 million over four years to construct a new Macquarie Wharf 6 in the Port of Hobart.

The Tasmanian Government will provide priority access to Macquarie Wharf 6 as the home port for RSV Nuyina for the next 30 years, continued access to existing portside facilities during the construction period, access to shoreside power, and a refuelling solution for RSV Nuyina in the Port of Hobart.

RSV Nuyina is the main lifeline to Australia’s Antarctic and sub-Antarctic research stations and the central platform of Australia’s Antarctic and Southern Ocean scientific research. It’s essential that it’s able to dock in Hobart.

Wharf construction will be managed by the Tasmanian Government and will begin next year.

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“What this means is Tasmania will remain Australia’s gateway to Antarctica, as it should be.

“This is an investment in Hobart, an investment in Tasmania and an investment in the future of Australian science.”

Quotes attributable to Premier Jeremy Rockliff:

“This agreement secures a fit-for-purpose home port for the Nuyina and locks in Tasmania’s future as the home of the Australian Antarctic Program.

“As part of the agreement we will also deliver appropriate refuelling infrastructure for the Nuyina and other vessels coming into Hobart.

“Tasmania has a proud heritage of supporting Antarctic and Southern Ocean endeavours with explorers and scientists using the Port of Hobart as a base for expeditions since the 19th century.

“As part of our Government’s 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, we will continue to promote and develop our world-leading Antarctic Gateway to grow jobs, maritime services, trade and investment, education, science and research, and visitor opportunities.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek:

“It’s absolutely fantastic that we’ve reached an agreement so the Australian Antarctic Program will have fit-for-purpose wharf infrastructure so they can continue world-leading Antarctic science based out of Hobart.

“I know how important being Australia’s gateway to Antarctica is to Tasmania. The Antarctic and Southern Ocean sector employs nearly 1,000 people in Tasmania and contributes more than $183 million each year to the Tasmanian economy.

“That’s why we’ve contributed $188 million towards a new home for the Nuyina and it’s why we have increased funding for the Australian Antarctic Division by more than half a billion since coming to government.”

Media release – Andrew Wilkie, independent MHR for Clark, 16 October 2024

Macquarie wharf 6 Funding welcome

I welcome today’s announcement that the Federal Government has agreed to provide $188 million to upgrade Macquarie Wharf 6 and provide access for the next 30 years. This is something I have long campaigned for, having lobbied the Prime Minister and Federal Environment Minister personally to convey my concerns about the future of the Australian Antarctic Program in Tasmania.

Improved wharf facilities and a refuelling solution will provide long-overdue certainty that our icebreaker, the RSV Nuyina, can continue to be based in Hobart and it means Hobart will remain central to the important work of the Australian Antarctic Division for many years to come.

The current state of Macquarie Wharf 6, and the time it has taken for the Tasmanian Government to finally come to the table, is nothing short of shameful. Governance in Tasmania, and TasPorts in particular, is woeful right now and I applaud the Federal Government for pushing the matter to fruition.

Media release – Greater Hobart Mayors, 16 October 2024

Greater Hobart Mayors welcome Macquarie Wharf funding

The Greater Hobart Mayors have welcomed confirmation the Australian Government will fund urgent upgrades to Macquarie Wharf 6 after striking an agreement with the Tasmanian Government.

Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds, Mayor Brendan Blomeley, Mayor Sue Hickey and Mayor Paula Wriedt said councils recognised the importance of the Antarctic sector to the Greater Hobart economy.

The Mayors welcomed the deal between the Australian and Tasmanian Governments to undertake the wharf repairs, after several years of advocacy, uncertainty and delays.

The redevelopment will support the ambition for Hobart to become the world’s leading Antarctic gateway.

Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds (City of Hobart)

“We welcome the resolution of this matter between the Australian and Tasmanian Governments.

“These wharf upgrades protect Hobart’s status as a global Antarctic Gateway and our significant science and research sector.

“The Macquarie Wharf Redevelopment is a project of local, state, national and international significance.

“As Mayors we have consistently voiced our strong support for this project over the last few years. We’re looking forward to construction starting as soon as possible.”

Quotes attributable to Mayor Brendan Blomeley (Clarence City Council)

“We welcome the support of the Australian Government in progressing this nationally-significant project to secure Greater Hobart’s status as an Antarctic and Southern Ocean research and logistical powerhouse.

“Our councils have been enthusiastic supporters of the Antarctic sector and our Gateway status over many years.

“From partnering with the Tasmanian Government on international trade and investment opportunities, to hosting annual welcoming events for Australian and international expeditioners, we have a shared history of embracing Greater Hobart’s reputation as a global leader in the care and management of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.”

Quotes attributable to Mayor Sue Hickey (Glenorchy City Council)

“Greater Hobart has so much going for it in regard to the Antarctic and Science sector.

“Our port is one of the deepest natural ports in the world and is perfectly positioned on the Southern Ocean rim. We’re home to the world’s greatest concentration of Antarctic scientists and scholars.

“The Antarctic sector is worth over $180m every year to the Tasmanian economy and each icebreaker supply visit to Hobart is worth up to $2m to local suppliers who live and work and employ others in businesses based in Hobart, Clarence, Glenorchy and Kingborough.

“This funding ensures the RSV Nuyina and Antarctic icebreakers will remain a permanent part of Hobart’s upgraded working port for years to come.”

Quotes attributable to Mayor Paula Wriedt (Kingborough Council)

“Today’s announcement demonstrates that all levels of government are in strong agreement about the pivotal nature of this project and Greater Hobart’s Gateway status.

“Delivering these upgrades will future proof the capability of the precinct, the ongoing presence of the Australian Antarctic Division in Greater Hobart and Australia’s Antarctic Program more broadly.

“The redevelopment is pivotal to attracting national and private Antarctic research institutions, enabling growth in the local science and research sector, and securing our position as the international gateway to the Southern Ocean.”

Brendan Blomeley is the Mayor of Clarence City Council, Sue Hickey is the Mayor of Glenorchy City Council, Anna Reynolds is the Lord Mayor of the City of Hobart and Paula Wriedt is the Mayor of Kingborough Council.

Helen Burnet MP, Greens Infrastructure spokesperson, 16 October 2024

Questions remain over port upgrades for RSV Nuyina

The Tasmanian Greens welcome the Federal government’s commitment to fund $188 million in wharf upgrades to allow the Antarctic icebreaker RSV Nuyina to berth and ultimately refuel in nipaluna/Hobart. But questions remain over whether the project will be delivered on time and on budget, given the Liberal government and TasPorts’ recent infrastructure failures.

lutruwita/Tasmania has a vital role as the home of the Australian Antarctic Program, and the important environmental and climate science that is done through it. We must ensure that lutruwita/Tasmania continues to play an important part in Antarctic science as the gateway this region.

The redirection of the Nuyina to refuel in Burnie significantly increased costs for the Antarctic science program, in a time of climate emergency, when all funds should have been devoted towards necessary science. TasPorts have delayed the redevelopment to berth 6 that would allow the Nuyina to refuel in nipaluna/Hobart, being accused of price gouging during negotiations with the Australian government.

Questions remain over the management of the project, given TasPorts’ recent failures to deliver the upgrades needed to the nipaluna/Hobart wharf and berths for the new Spirit of Tasmania. Given their recent stuff ups, how can Tasmanians have the confidence they can deliver the vital port infrastructure needed for lutruwita/Tasmania to remain the gateway to Antarctica?

The Premier as Minister for Infrastructure must keep a close eye on TasPorts to ensure they deliver the port upgrades for the Nuyina on time and on budget. The Liberal Government must ensure Tasmanians do not foot the bill for another infrastructure cost blowout.