The Ministers for Foreign Affairs and the Environment have made a joint announcement that Antarctica’s first paved runway for aircraft is to be built under Australia’s Antarctic Program.
The Ministers, Julie Bishop and Josh Frydenberg respectively, said the new runway would be constructed near Davis Research Station and would complement an existing summer-only ice runway at Wilkins Aerodrome.
They said it would provide more reliable access to Antarctica throughout the year.
Ms Bishop said access to Antarctica in winter was difficult and rare, with temperatures dropping to minus 40°C at Davis Station.
She said the new runway would improve Australia’s ability to conduct year-round, world-class scientific research and respond to emergencies.
“The establishment of the permanent link between Hobart and Antarctica will enhance Hobart’s role as a gateway to East Antarctica, making it a more attractive destination for Antarctic nations to base their operations in Tasmania,” Ms Bishop said.
Mr Frydenberg said Australia was committed to best-practice environmental stewardship and the project would be subject to extensive environmental and other Government approval processes.
“These assessments will be transparent, consultative and rigorous, including to meet the requirements of the Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act 1980 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999,” Mr Frydenberg said
The Ministers said investigations into year-round aviation access began in 2016 as a key component of the Australian Antarctic Strategy and 20 Year Action Plan.
They said the Government provided $10 million to scope options and undertake preliminary site investigations, with the cost of the new runway to be determined through a detailed business case.
