11/05/2005 - Construction
at Casey Station: removal of snow at the edges
of the runway
The go-ahead for a $46.3 million Australia-Antarctic
intercontinental air link in the 2005-06 Budget
will cement Tasmania’s place as a gateway
to Antarctica.
In Hobart today to announce details of the
new long range jet aircraft service between
Hobart and Casey station in Antarctica, the
Minister for the Environment and Heritage,
Senator Ian Campbell, said the intercontinental
air link would revolutionise Australia’s Antarctic
programme.
Senator Campbell said there would be major
spin-offs for Tasmania, already the base for
the Australian Antarctic Division at Kingston
and Australia’s Antarctic shipping services
conducted out of the Hobart port. The air
link will increase passenger movement through
Hobart and allow more people to participate
in the Antarctic programme.
“All those involved in the Antarctic programme
will be accommodated and supplied in Tasmania,”
Senator Campbell said.
“The Antarctic community in Tasmania is well-positioned
to take advantages of the opportunities that
will emerge from this major boost to Australia’s
Antarctic programme through organisations
such as the Tasmanian Polar Network.
“There will be tremendous opportunities for
Tasmanian businesses to compete for the equipment
and services required to develop and then
operate the new Australian Antarctic air transport
system.
“Importantly for Tasmania, we know that other
nations are watching closely with a view to
using an air link out of Hobart in future.
I have already had discussions with other
nations about this issue. We can now take
these discussions to the next step. This puts
Tasmania firmly on the international map within
the Antarctic community.”
Senator Campbell said while the new Antarctic
air link would change forever the operational
framework of the Australian Antarctic Programme,
Tasmania would remain a vital link for Antarctic
ship based operations.
He said there would always be an on-going
requirement for ships to conduct station re-supply
as the proposed new jet aircraft link had
only a limited cargo capacity.
Tasmania would also continue as the base
for the very important marine science research
voyages conducted by the Australian Antarctic
Division.
“What we will see is a change in the way
Antarctic ships are used. Ship days that were
taken up with transporting expeditioners to
and from Antarctica will be freed up for marine
science,” he said.
“This means a more efficient and flexible
transport system and boost our ability to
conduct cutting edge research in the fields
of marine science, global climate change and
Antarctic conservation.
“It guarantees our position as a world leader
in Antarctic research,” Senator Campbell said.
