20/05/2005 - Opportunities
for businesses in the new Australia-Antarctica
air link project are being outlined at a breakfast
meeting of the Tasmanian Polar network in
Hobart this morning (Friday 20 May).
Minister for the Environment and Heritage,
Senator Ian Campbell, said the Australian
Antarctic Division would give details of the
business opportunities that would flow from
the recent Australian Government announcement
in the 2005–06 Budget of $46.3 million over
four years to develop an Australia-Antarctic
intercontinental air link.
“The air link will have spin-offs for Tasmania
which is already Australia’s hub of Antarctic
activity,” Senator Campbell said.
“There will be tremendous opportunities to
compete for equipment and services required
to develop the air link and then in the operation
of the new transport system.
“It is very important now to provide business
with a detailed overview of the project, the
key areas of support requirements and how
it will progress over the coming years.
“Our key message to business and the Antarctic
community is that work on the air link has
started – very soon the Australian Antarctic
Division will be start the process of calling
tenders and businesses need to look now at
how they can become involved in this exciting
opportunity.
“Feasibility studies, including runway construction
trials, have already been completed.
“Work on the runway will move into full swing
this coming summer season in preparation for
trial flights scheduled to start in 2006–07,
with a regular service due to start in 2007-08,”
he said.
Senator Campbell said the Hobart-Casey air
link would be a major boost to the cutting-edge
work of our Antarctic scientists who are now
hampered by the realities of the time it takes
to travel to and from Antarctica by sea.
“The improved and more flexible access to
the frozen continent will significantly enhance
our world-renowned Antarctic scientific research
in understanding the global climate system,
protecting the Antarctic environment and undertaking
work of practical, economic and national significance,”
Senator Campbell said.
