Leaky buildings and ageing electrics: Report reveals poor state of Scott Base

Friday, 26 February 2021

Timelapse footage shows the first step of Scott Base's redevelopment in Antarctica completed with building of new weather station.

Fire risks due to ageing electrics and buildings that do not meet safety regulations are just some of the major issues at New Zealand's Antarctic headquarters.

The extent of the problems at the remote Scott Base research station have been revealed in a 282-page report.

It states the base's water system is 20 years beyond its design life and there is overcrowding in the summer months, with some people having to sleep in modified shipping containers.

Scott Base, New Zealand's base for scientific research and environmental protection, is at the southern end of Ross Island in McMurdo Sound.

“The outdated buildings, facilities and life support systems are deteriorating and no longer functioning as designed,” the draft Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation says.

Scott Base supports almost all of New Zealand’s research in Antarctica. Pictured: Sanil Lad takes weather readings, which have been done daily at 9am since 1957.

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31102017 News Photo: Iain McGregor/StuffAntarctica.Staff and scientists listen to a science talk in the bar at Scott Base.

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Once complete, the proposed new Scott Base will consist of three interlinked buildings. (Artist's impression)

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A proposed $250 million rebuild of Scott Base was unveiled in June 2019.

The main corridor at Scott Base outside the mess, photographed in 2018.

At the time, Antarctica New Zealand was told it had to raise $50m in donations towards the cost of the redevelopment, but the report says the “scope and timeline of activities described in this document rely on the project being funded in its entirety in 2021”.

The decision on whether the project will be funded, and to what level, is expected by the middle of this year.

However, failure to proceed with the project would see Scott Base become “unmaintainable” and “unsafe”, with New Zealand “unable to support its science and environmental protection programmes” on the frozen continent.

Other issues highlighted in the report include; the presence of asbestos, warped buildings which let in snow and water and obsolete equipment which makes maintenance “a constant challenge”.

“The station is becoming harder to maintain, impacting on operational efficiency, and the buildings do not comply with some areas of the New Zealand safety legislation and other requirements.”

Scott Base lies on Pram Point, 3,800km south of Christchurch and consists of 11 interconnected buildings, three of which date back to 1957.

The new document provides a detailed insight into what it will take to dismantle the existing site and construct the new research station in one of the most inhospitable places on the planet.

“The base has served New Zealand well – and longer than ever expected – but many of the structures have reached the end of their effective life and their environmental performance falls short of today’s standards.”

If given the go ahead, up to 45 construction staff will be required each summer season to complete the new build.

As well as increasing the number of beds from 86 to 100, the new site will be designed to better enhance the wellbeing of the people who live and work there.

There will be improved lounge, library and gym facilities and better use of natural light to promote circadian rhythms, to aid sleep.

As well as extensive environmental considerations, the proposed base has also been designed to mitigate the impact of predicted sea level rise, changes to the permafrost, a tsunami and even a volcanic eruption, with Mount Erebus located 38km away.

The plans for the new base have already been scaled back. A hangar which would have housed two helicopters has been shelved.

Proposed timeline for Scott Base's redevelopment:

2021-22: Pile/foundation testing and completion of long-term science relocation.
2022-23: Shipping and staging of equipment, temporary base site preparation and commencing construction of new buildings in New Zealand.
2023-24: Construction of temporary base, Scott Base to McMurdo road realignment, water and wastewater intake and outlet structure installation.
2024-25: Existing Scott Base decommissioning and deconstruction, bulk earthworks, piling/foundations and first new wind turbine installation.
2025-26: Decommission existing wind farm. Ship new building modules to Pram Point. Install new building modules on foundations, fit out and recommission new buildings over winter 2026.
2026-27: Occupy proposed new Scott Base, deconstruct temporary base and remaining structures, final earthworks to finish building access ramps.

Public feedback on the draft Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation can be emailed to SBRdraftCEEfeedback@mfat.govt.nz until May 16.