The Hon. Melissa Price MP
Minister for the Environment
The Morrison Government is backing a Hobart-based company to supply specialised tractors that will be used in an ambitious program to support the drilling of a million-year ice core by the Australian Antarctic Division.
In a decision that underlines Tasmania’s strategic role in Antarctic operations and the Coalition’s commitment to Australian industry, the William Adams company has secured a $5.1 million contract to supply five new Caterpillar Challenger heavy tractors and carry out the extensive modifications necessary for Antarctic conditions.
Minister for the Environment the Hon Melissa Price MP said the investment was part of the broader $45 million commitment to re-establish an overland traverse capability that would support the drilling of a million-year ice core under the Australian Antarctic Strategy and 20 Year Action Plan.
“The new tractors enable the Australian Antarctic Program to tow sled trains loaded with over 300 tonnes of food supplies, accommodation, communal areas, scientific facilities, power generation and fuel up to 1500 kilometres inland across the harsh environs of the Antarctic ice cap,” Minister Price said.
“The Government is committed to ensuring Australia remains a leader in Antarctica, and cementing Tasmania as the premier gateway and scientific research hub for East Antarctica. We have been able to make significant investments in the AAD because we have delivered a strong economy.
“We will invest a further $450 million over the next 10 years to upgrade Australia’s Antarctic research station network and supporting infrastructure, effectively tripling the investment in Antarctic infrastructure to support our science.”
The traverse will be managed by a team of eight expeditioners who will deliver the support facilities and equipment for a team of 16 scientists and drill technicans to operate the remote drilling site.
Jobs on the traverse team, including tractor drivers, will be advertised from December 2019. The first traverse from Casey research station is planned for the Antarctic summer 2020-21. Major items remaining for procurement include sleds, living and accommodation units and fuel storage.
William Adams will undertake the work at its Hobart-based workshop over the next 12 months.
“We are proud to be doing all of this work at our workshop in Berriedale and provide a great opportunity for employment here in Hobart,” Mark Wiggins, Business Manager Antarctica, William Adams said.
“Our company has been working closely with the Australian Antarctic Program since 1956 and has intimate knowledge about modifying heavy Caterpillar Traverse machinery for Antarctic conditions.
“These tractors will require a lot of unique upgrades to operate in Antarctica, because they’ll be operating in an extreme environment where temperatures can get as low as fifty below zero.”
The Government’s total investment in Antarctica is a record level of more than $2.8 billion, including:
- $1.9 billion towards a new icebreaker.
- $45 million over 10 years for overland traverse capabilities.
- $210 million over 10 years for additional funding for our Antarctic operations.
- $107 million over 11 years for Antarctic research initiatives.
- $50 million for a new research station on Macquarie Island.
