12 April 2006 - Australia's
brand new blue ice runway in Antarctica is on
track for the first regular intercontinental flights
in 2007, the Minister for the Environment and
Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell said today.
Speaking on the return to Hobart of the construction
crew aboard the research vessel Aurora Australis,
Senator Campbell said the project was a significant
undertaking and the work done over the short summer
season on the four-kilometre Wilkins runway and
other infrastructure had exceeded expectations.
“This is great news as we prepare to fly aircraft
from Australia to Antarctica as a regular and
permanent part of the Australian Government's
support of scientific research on the ‘frozen
continent',” Senator Campbell said.
“The air link will make Australian research in
Antarctica more efficient, allowing scientists
and support personnel to spend less time travelling
by ship and more time on their projects.
“The success of this season's runway construction
confirms that we will be able to run test flights
next season in preparation for the introduction
of regular flights from 2007, so long as we have
similar weather conditions.”
Senator Campbell said this season's work at Wilkins
was a major accomplishment given the particularly
inhospitable conditions faced by the construction
crew.
“Five hardy souls spent the best part of five
months in temporary shed accommodation, with nothing
in the way of home comforts and had to melt ice
to get water for their tea and coffee. They were
supported by additional personnel who rotated
through the site from Casey station,” he said.
“The crew toiled for long hours in freezing conditions
and blizzards lasting several days, to ensure
the work was completed on time.”
Earlier in the season, $3 million of specialist
equipment – most of it sourced through Tasmanian
businesses – was delivered by ship to build the
blue-ice runway on an area of flat glacial ice.
Senator Campbell said a glacial ice runway was
the best option because its impact on the environment
was minimal.
The Australian Government has allocated $46.3
million over four years to construct the runway
and to establish the Australia-Antarctica air
link.
More than 100 expeditioners returned to Hobart
today on board Aurora Australis bringing to an
end the 2005-06 summer season of research in Antarctica.
