Antarctic and Southern Ocean

Tasmania has the greatest concentration of Antarctic and Southern Ocean scientists and institutions of the five Antarctic gateway cities (Punta Arenas, Ushuaia, Cape Town, Christchurch and Hobart).

As Australia's hub for Antarctic, sub-Antarctic and Southern Ocean science, education, research and logistics, Hobart acts as the gateway to the Antarctic and hosts the headquarters for Australia's Antarctic program and the French's Institut Polaire Francaise, Paul Emile Victor program.

Tasmanian businesses offer a variety of world-class services and cold-climate products for this sector.

Key issues for the Antarctic sector include:

• increasing the capabilities of the port and airport infrastructure to service East Antarctic programs,
• promoting Tasmanian businesses' specialist cold-climate products and services to export markets, and
• supporting the growth of Antarctic and Southern Ocean research.

Priorities for Antarctic Tasmania include:

• seeking Infrastructure Australia funding as part of the Hobart: a world-class, liveable waterfront city proposal to support the growth and development of the port and airport and its capacity to service Australia's Antarctic research and science programs, as well as the programs of other Antarctic nations;
• working with TasPorts to redevelop and promote Macquarie Wharf 2 as home to the Australian Antarctic Division and a specialist Antarctic and cruising facility;
• developing new Antarctic market opportunities for Tasmania from Australian Antarctic program needs and East Antarctic nations' logistics collaborations; and
• promoting Tasmania's Antarctic brand through support of the centennial celebrations of the Mawson and Amundsen expeditions.