Australian Antarctic Strategy and 20 Year Action Plan: A new era of Antarctic endeavour
27th April 2016
Hägglunds on fast ice near Mawson research station in 2013 (Photo: Justin Chambers)
A new era of Antarctic engagement was announced today by Environment Minister Greg Hunt MP, with the launch of the AustralianAntarctic Strategy and 20 Year Action Plan.
The key components of the Action Plan include a state-of-the-art icebreaker for research and resupply, new operational funding to support an active Australian Antarctic programme, building a deep-field Antarctic science traverse capability, exploration of a year-round aviation access options, strengthening the Antarctic Treaty system, and enhancing Hobart as an Antarctic research hub and the premier Gateway to East Antarctica.
This operational advancement will ensure Australia has the necessary capability to lead science in the Southern Ocean, the Antarctic sea ice zone and around the extensive ice shelves that fringe Antarctica.
The icebreaker will deliver the science needed for the responsible management of Southern Ocean fisheries and ecosystem focused conservation, particularly of Antarctic krill – the keystone species and foundation of the Southern Ocean ecosystem.
The development of a deep-field overland science traverse capability and mobile research station infrastructure is essential for Australia’s involvement in major Antarctic research projects, including the quest for a million year-old ice core. This landmark traverse investment, combined with work towards an expanded aviation capability, will significantly improve Australia’s leadership in science and operations and offer Australia’s Antarctic programme unprecedented access to and across East Antarctica.
The Australian and Tasmanian governments will continue to work to enhance Tasmania’s status as a global Antarctic research hub and the premier Gateway to East Antarctica, including the expansion of infrastructure in Hobart to accommodate the new icebreaker.
The investment delivered through the Australian Antarctic Strategy and 20 Year Action Plan will allow Australia to collaborate even more closely with other countries in Antarctica on ground-breaking scientific research, which is of national and global significance, and continue to strengthen the Antarctic Treaty system and its critical environmental protection regime.
The Australian Antarctic Strategy sets out Australia’s national Antarctic interests and our vision for Australia’s future engagement in Antarctica. It recognises Australia’s strong strategic and scientific interests in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, and sets out actions to support these over 20 years.
Under the 20 Year Action Plan the Government is committing to the most significant package of measures ever developed by an Australian Government to build Australia’s role as a leader in Antarctica.
With the scientific and operational capability delivered through theAustralian Antarctic Strategy and the 20 Year Action Plan, Australia will be well placed to lead environmental stewardship in the region and address the major science challenges of the next few decades. The Antarctic Strategy will ensure Antarctica remains ‘valued, protected and understood’.
Australian Antarctic Strategy and 20 Year Action Plan[PDF; 2.41 MB] ISBN: 978-1876934354
Read the background to the Antarctic Strategy and Action Plan – Dr Tony Press’ report providing a blueprint for Australia’s future engagement in Antarctica and options to expand Tasmania’s role as a leading Antarctic science and logistics hub.
The Australian Antarctic Strategy sets out Australia’s national Antarctic interests and our vision for Australia’s future engagement in Antarctica. (Photo: Ian Phillips)
Australian Antarctic Strategy
Introduction
The Australian Antarctic Strategy sets out Australia’s national Antarctic interests and our vision for Australia’s future engagement in Antarctica.
The accompanying Action Plan details the steps the Government will take to fulfil the Strategy. The Action Plan is staged over a 20 year period to achieve and assess progress against the desired outcomes from this ambitious Strategy.
Under the Action Plan, the Government is committing to the most significant package of measures ever developed by an Australian Government to build Australia’s role as a leader in Antarctica.
Key actions that the Government will deliver are:
• A new world-class research and resupply Antarctic icebreaker.
• New and stable funding to support an active Australian Antarctic programme.
• Establish Australia’s position of science leadership in Antarctica through:
o developing modern and flexible infrastructure, including
restoring traverse capabilities and establishing mobile stations in the Antarctic interior
further scoping options for expanded aviation capabilities to establish a year-round aviation capability between Hobart and Antarctica
progressing options for more efficient and flexible use of existing research stations
o A revitalised science programme, including
coordinated and effective funding of Antarctic science
opportunities for public-private partnerships to conduct new and iconic scientific research endeavours
o greater collaboration and resource-sharing with other nations active in East Antarctica.
• Strengthen the Antarctic Treaty system and our influence in it, by building and maintaining strong and effective relationships with other Antarctic Treaty nations through our international engagement.
• Build Tasmania’s status as the premier East Antarctic Gateway for science and operations, including through:
o streamlined Government regulatory and approval processes to facilitate increased use of Hobart as an Antarctic Gateway port
o agreeing priority proposals with industry to enhance Tasmania’s status as an Antarctic Gateway, including expanded infrastructure in Hobart for the new icebreaker
o a major review on building research infrastructure in Hobart to establish Australia as the world’s leader in krill research.
A new era of Antarctic engagement
Joint media release: 27 April 2016 - The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull MP Prime Minister, The Hon. Julie Bishop MP Minister for Foreign Affairs, The Hon. Greg Hunt MP Minister for the Environment
A new era of Antarctic engagement was announced today by the Turnbull Government, with the launch of the Australian Antarctic Strategyand 20 Year Action Plan.
The Turnbull Government is providing $255 million in funding over the next ten years to enhance Australia’s Antarctic logistics and science capabilities.
This includes $55 million for infrastructure and $200 million for sustainable ongoing funding for the Australian Antarctic program.
This is the most significant package of measures ever developed to build Australia’s role as a leader in Antarctica.
Providing new operational funding and modernising the Australian Antarctic program will enable Australia to continue to deliver world-class science, and run our Antarctic operations safely and efficiently.
The acquisition of a world-class icebreaker for resupply and multi-disciplinary science represents the largest ever investment by Australia in our Antarctic program.
A deep-field overland science traverse capability and mobile research station infrastructure will provide essential support for critical Antarctic science.
We have committed to scope further options to establish year-round aviation access between Hobart and Antarctica.
This follows the successful trial of heavy lift cargo flights using Australian Defence Force C-17As this Antarctic season.
Under the Antarctic Treaty system, Antarctica is designated as a natural reserve, free of mining and devoted to peace, environmental protection and cooperative international science.
These investments allow us to work even more closely with other countries to strengthen this important and unique Treaty system.
The Australian and Tasmanian governments will continue to work to enhance Tasmania’s status as a global Antarctic research hub and the premier Gateway to East Antarctica, including the expansion of infrastructure in Hobart to accommodate the new icebreaker.
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CSIRO Climate Science Centre in Hobart a win for Australia's future
26 April 2016
The CSIRO has today announced the establishment of a national climate research centre to be based in Hobart.
CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Larry Marshall said the CSIRO Climate Science Centre will focus on climate modelling and projections for Australia, drawing on both national and international research expertise.
“Our Strategy 2020 is focussed on collaboration, global connection, excellent science and innovation – all four of these pillars are at work in this Centre,” Dr Marshall said.
“As I indicated at the start of CSIRO’s current broader change process, it is critical that we retain the capability that underpins our national climate research effort.
“The announcement today is a culmination of the ongoing consultation and feedback we’ve had from our staff and stakeholders, and this new Centre is a reflection of the strong collaboration and support right across our system and the global community.”
Operating as part of CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, the new CSIRO Climate Science Centre has a guaranteed research capability for 10 years and will focus CSIRO’s climate measurement and modelling researchers and resources.
Collaboration and partnership will be a cornerstone of this decadal commitment for Australia. In recognition of this, the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science has agreed that an independent National Climate Science Advisory Committee will be established.
The Committee will have representation from CSIRO, the Bureau of Meteorology and other experts from Australia and overseas.
It will report at Ministerial level to inform the future direction of Australia’s climate science capability and research priorities.
The Minister will work with the Minister for the Environment in the Committee's establishment.
“The Centre, with support from the Advisory Committee, will allow scientists across the nation to provide a decadal commitment to climate research in the nation’s interest,” Dr Marshall said.
The foundation of the Centre will be 40 full time CSIRO scientists.
It will work closely with researchers from Australian universities and other stakeholders.
Working closely with the Bureau of Meteorology, the CSIRO is also planning to deepen its existing partnership with the UK Meteorology Office.
CSIRO will offer its unique Southern Hemisphere modelling capability and measurements to the UK’s global model, helping to build a model that is even more relevant for Australia and other Southern Hemisphere nations.
All of CSIRO’s critical measurement infrastructure, such as the ice and air libraries, ARGO float program and Cape Grim, will be guaranteed in the same manner as the other national facilities such as the RV Investigator, which is also centred in Hobart.
CSIRO thanks Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel AO, and its colleagues at the Bureau of Meteorology for their support in shaping this important national agenda.
