The Hodgman Liberal Government’s vision is to build on Tasmania’s growing reputation as the gateway to Antarctica.
The Minister for State Growth, Matthew Groom, said that part of the Government’s plan is to enhance Hobart’s standing as an international Antarctic and Southern Ocean science and research hub, and that the Government has decided to create an Antarctic Precinct on Macquarie Point.
“The Macquarie Point Development Corporation had identified the south-east corner of the site as the preferred location for an Antarctic Precinct and will limit expressions of interest for that area to Antarctic-related activities”.
“The development of a leading-edge Antarctic hub on the doorstep of the Hobart CBD has the potential to attract large-scale investment, inject millions of dollars into the Tasmanian economy and create hundreds of new job opportunities,” Mr Groom said.
The Tasmanian Polar Network Chairman, John Brennan, who has long been campaigning for such a development, believes an Antarctic Precinct would take the State’s involvement in the Antarctic to the next level.
“An Antarctic and Southern Ocean science, research and commercial hub located in such an ideal location would signal to the world that Tasmania is a centre of excellence for Antarctic scientific endeavours and that we are the gateway to East Antarctica,” Mr Brennan said.
Minister Groom said the Tasmanian Antarctic sector had long held the view that Macquarie Point provided an ideal opportunity to consolidate a range of research, science and investigative activities, as well as the potential to provide a variety of additional administration and conference facilities.
“Importantly, the decision is in keeping with the Tasmanian Government’s commitment to progressively extend Hobart’s capacity as a global gateway to the Antarctic. Similarly, it will support the Government’s plans to increase engagement between the Tasmanian and Chinese Antarctic sectors,” Minister Groom said.
“The creation of such a precinct could also attract related organisations together with other nations involved in the East Antarctic.
“The location of the selected site, adjacent to the Hobart port, is considered ideal by members of the Antarctic sector, including the Tasmanian Polar Network. It also fits with the Macquarie Point masterplan, as residential development is not permitted in this location,” he said.
Minister Groom said the corporation would very shortly be inviting Expressions of Interest from developers interested in undertaking projects at Macquarie Point.